On Thursday, May 21, Lakewood High School hosted its annual National Honor Society (NHS) Senior Breakfast, a heartfelt event that celebrated the accomplishments, growth and community spirit of its graduating seniors. The event brings together students, teachers, families and staff for a moment of reflection and celebration.
The annual breakfast serves as a special occasion for seniors to share their high school journeys, acknowledge those who supported them, and look toward the future.
“At our May meeting, [the seniors] pick a teacher and make an invite for them, and then we send those out,” said NHS President Audrey McNulty, a senior. “The teachers come, and the juniors bring food, and it’s just a nice celebration of the seniors and all of their accomplishments and everything they’ve done for us this year—a little send-off to them, owed to them.”
The morning started with a delicious breakfast spread, featuring pastries, fruit, coffee and juice. Throughout the event, seniors shared stories, expressed gratitude and celebrated their successes.
A highlight of the morning was the tradition of seniors inviting a teacher of their choice to join them. Many students took this opportunity to thank educators who had made a significant impact on their lives, whether that be a teacher, mentor, coach or faculty member.
Biology teacher Karen Alten, who attended the breakfast, shared her appreciation for the graduating class.
“Students inspire me every single day,” Alten said. “How excited you are to learn and think about new things, and because you’re so interested and such hard workers, it makes me want to work harder.”
The breakfast was not only a celebration of academic achievement but also a moment for the incoming juniors to be inducted as officers for the following year. McNulty said a few words about the graduating seniors and introduced the officers who will be taking over next year.
As breakfast concluded, many seniors shared their plans for life beyond high school, whether pursuing college, vocational training, military service, or entering the workforce.
Beyond individual recognitions, the NHS Senior Breakfast fostered a strong sense of community and unity within LHS. Teachers, staff, students, and families came together in a relaxed, joyful environment. Teachers expressed pride in their students’ accomplishments and shared in the pride and joy of witnessing their students from the past four years reach this significant milestone.
“The success is the teacher participation, the overall excitement of the seniors, and having just a great exclamation point end of the year,” said NHS advisor Dayna Hansen. “We’ve served a lot of different communities, and just having the opportunity to celebrate that and having involvement, both students and teachers, on that morning, the day before their last day.”
This annual tradition continues to serve as a reminder of the importance of recognizing achievement, expressing gratitude and nurturing a supportive community. For the seniors of Lakewood High, the event marked a memorable milestone—an inspiring conclusion to their high school years and a stepping stone into the future.
