From Freshmen to Farewell: SHS seniors take a step back in time

Jakob Moreno, KWED/SDN Intern

(Seguin) — Seguin Matador seniors took a trek down memory lane – Thursday morning – making special visits to their former elementary schools. One batch of students participating in Senior Walk hopped on the bus to Rodriguez Elementary School. The seniors dressed up in their caps and gowns walked around the hallways reminiscing about the memories made with other friends and teachers, some of which are still there at the school.

America Campos, a graduating senior, said she was very nostalgic about seeing her old teachers at the school, as it made her sad to know she was leaving, but happy she got to see them once more before walking to receive her high school diploma, Friday night.

“(Mrs. Bunney) was my kindergarten teacher. She was a huge role model for me… I used to call her my sister… I thought about her every single year,” said Campos. “I also took another picture with my teacher, Mrs. Garcia. Whenever it was H-E-B camp, she was like our leader. We just created so many memories with her, and she was always keeping up with me and stuff and making sure I was behaving.”

Teacher Michelle Bunney held the same sentiments when talking about her former students who are now going to graduate.

“I was actually very moved. I was trying really hard to hold back the tears, but I had goosebumps. (It’s) just rewarding to see they pushed through,” said Bunney.

The staff was happy to see the seniors participate in activities that they once did daily as kids in elementary school.

The seniors participated in moving a parachute up and down and played on the playground for a couple of minutes before having to depart.

While he didn’t get to see the whole school again, Senior Sergio Robles talked about a space in the library – a space that he always enjoyed being in while growing up at Rodriguez.

“It was my spot. Whenever they had reading time, I was the one to sleep on the high steps,” said Robles. When no one was in there and I was upset or just mad at everyone, I would just go there and be by myself and calm down.”

Robles says he was very happy to take this trip down memory lane and is hopeful he can achieve everything he wants as he looks into the future.

Rodriguez Elementary School Principal, Ofelia Santiago, says she thinks it is very important for the students at the elementary school to see older students graduating as it provides them with role models and allows them to also picture themselves up on that stage at Matador Stadium.

“I was walking down the hall, I was telling the (elementary students), this is going to be you one day, this is going to be you,” said Santiago.

Santiago says like many others, she finds it rewarding to have been a part of a child’s school journey.

The students will cap off their senior experience during tonight’s commencement exercises slated for 7 p.m. at Seguin High School’s Matador Stadium.