On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. Schools began to turn to online resources to continue classes, test scores declined, and schools began facing staff shortages. For the Class of 2024, they know this better than anyone. And now, those same students are saying goodbye.
Monday, June 3rd was the last full day of classes for all the students. Despite the tearful goodbyes from the graduates, the annual paper toss at Tosa West was one last event the upperclassmen had together before their final goodbye at graduation. The paper toss signifies the end of an era, and now a start for a new one– a life outside the doors of Tosa West.
“[High school being over] is very bittersweet ‘cause I made a lot of good memories here… but I’m also very excited to start a new chapter and move on to bigger and better things,” says senior, Alma Hagopian-Smith.
Students began gathering around the library balcony at 2:45pm to get a spot. Getting a good spot around the balcony is crucial to accommodate the over 250 graduates. The rest of the school began crowding the learning center, right below the area where the paper drop would happen.
Earlier in the week, students organized the papers they had accumulated throughout their senior year so they could toss them to the ground below.
“I am excited. I’ve been waiting to do this for a while and I’ve been collecting my papers. I feel relieved and excited [to graduate] but also sad to leave everyone”, Melina Keenan, a graduating senior explains. Furthermore, Natalia Byrne, another graduating senior exclaims “I think it’s a really fun tradition, just cause like, it gives you something to do on the last bell. It’s like satisfying [to toss the papers].”
Senior Harrison Liang has planned for this moment since his freshman year. Liang showed up several minutes later, but not without reason. Liang had brought a 70-pound suitcase containing all the worksheets and folders he had collected over the past four years. Liang explains, “I feel very prepared [for the paper toss] because I’ve been saving this since freshman year. It’s good that I get to throw this all away [because] all the knowledge is up in the brain, and that’s what matters.”
The official start time for the paper toss is at 3:10 pm, right at the last bell. Students counted down from 10. When they reached zero, thousands of loose-leaf papers, folders, and notebooks were thrown off the balcony. One student even tossed their backpack.
Below, teachers and the rest of the student body cheered.
While the paper drop does leave a large mess, it is one of the most cherished traditions at Wauwatosa West.
Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, was the final day for seniors at Tosa West before graduation. In celebration, the school prepared some activities for the students to do during their last hours together. At 10:55 am, the seniors went out to the football field for a catered Chick-fil-A lunch as a way to have one last lunch together.
“I think it’s a great way,” said senior Kelly Weber, “It’s still really nice that they’re like recognizing the seniors and it kind of feels like all the work is paid off. It was very good.”
After the students finished their lunch, they were invited to participate in the annual elementary school walk at 2:00pm.
Every year, high school graduates are invited to visit their elementary schools where everything started. Even those students who did not attend a Wauwatosa elementary school were invited to walk through Eisenhower Elementary, the neighboring primary school to West.
“It’s kind of surreal,” said senior Allie Kratochvil, “but [I’m] very ready. I think the whole graduation will be fun and it’s exciting to be able to enjoy pre-graduation stuff with fellow seniors”.
Between the paper toss, catered lunch, elementary walk, and graduation, West seniors experienced a busy, but exhilarating end to their high school career.
