June 8, 2026 by Olivia Clemmensen (‘26)
With exactly 5 more days left of the 2025-26 school year, Saratoga Springs High School’s seniors are wrapping up their academic and athletic careers in the Saratoga Springs City School District. They will walk across the SPAC stage on Friday, June 26, and receive their diplomas, closing a chapter of their lives and leaving high school behind for a new beginning at college or other future plans.
This time of year can be very emotional for these graduating seniors; at least for me, it is. School is ending, and so many “lasts” are happening all at once, making the last few months before summer extremely emotional. While some of these “lasts” are fairly exciting ones, like the last science final, last math test, final language exam, last early morning wake-up, last late-night study cram of the year, a lot of them are sad, including the wrap-up of sports, performances, and in-school lunches with friends. Each year, so many memories are made and so much time passes at school, and especially for the graduating class, it can be hard to look back upon all the memories without a tinge of nostalgia.
SSHS provides so many opportunities for its students, with its academically rich programs and courses, well trained teachers who are good at their jobs and are good support systems for their students, and a clean and safe school to come to every day. Even though high school can be challenging in many ways (keeping up grades and handling friendships, to name two), it is a pivotal time in a student’s life, and it is almost guaranteed you will learn something about yourself along the journey.
Here are a few responses from students of the SSHS Class of 2026 on their experience at the high school and what they will take out of their education and relationships made along the way.
[Q]: How has SSHS shaped you as a student and person?
“SSHS has made me a harder worker and team leader. It’s also made me more independent and motivated.” -Merritt Nowicki
“I’ve become an overall better person- more social and more knowledgeable.”- Jack Burnett
“SSHS has shaped me in a variety of ways. It has helped me grow both academically and personally. SSHS has provided many opportunities to challenge myself and build meaningful relationships.”- Arissa Gillani
“SSHS provided me with the right programs and materials to help me be successful in choosing a path after graduation. I met a lot of great people and met lifelong friends.”- Maya Rosko
[Q]: What was the most important lesson you learned as a high school student?
“The most important lesson I learned was that I’m not perfect and no one is either. We all have our unique strengths and weaknesses, but that’s what life is all about. Just because you’re not good at one thing does not mean you don’t shine at another.”- Merritt Nowicki
“As a high school student, I truly believe it’s important to surround yourself with the right people. Making friends your freshman year can be hard, but who you choose to surround yourself with in your developmental years will determine the type of person you want to be. And remember that it’s okay to switch friend groups halfway through high school!” – Arissa Gillani
[Q]: What was your relationship with the senior class, and as a whole what are your thoughts on the class of 2026?
“The class of 2026 will go down as one of the most memorable classes. We have a wonderful group of unique, creative, and talented individuals that made it one of the best classes to be a part of.”- Merritt Nowicki
“I think us as a class get along really well. I have no complaints if I’m being honest, I really like everyone in our class. During senior skip day it was nice getting to talk to everyone-I would say I had a one-on-one conversation with most groups there. It’s nice to be good with all of them and to be friends.” -Jack Burnett
“The senior class of 26 has a good community and I will be sad to be moving on.” -Maya Rosko
[Q]: What is one piece of advice you would give to all the seniors you are graduating with this year?
“Always BE YOURSELF. No matter what assignment you are doing or social setting you are in, always do it your way. Even if you don’t get an A+ or are invited to a party, you can live knowing you were yourself and didn’t have to change for any subject or person. That’s what makes you, you!”- Merritt Nowicki
“Be yourself. Don’t try to fit yourself in one bubble- talk to everyone, make connections, be you. Kindness goes a long way, and high school is what you make of it so don’t let it pass you by.” -Jack Burnett
“Follow what you are really passionate about, and you shouldn’t care how others perceive your interests or future.” -Maya Rosko
[Q]: What experiences or wisdom do you hope to take with you from Toga to college?
“What I hope to take with me from Toga to college is the strong work ethic and time-management skills I learned through taking AP classes and maintaining a rigorous course load. Challenging myself academically taught me how to stay organized and multitask. Beyond academics, I learned the importance of asking for help when needed and collaborating with peers. I believe that these experiences have prepared me to handle the challenges of college and succeed in a demanding college environment.”- Arissa Gillani