The Class of 2019 takes on Grad Bash

BY ANNABELLE ROSA

On April 5, 2019, 193 seniors from CCHS piled into the auditorium, waiting to be whisked away by four buses to attend Universal Studios’ Grad Bash. Students were called down around 10:00 a.m. so that they would have the opportunity to eat lunch before they left. Students had their bags checked prior to entering the bus in order to ensure that no students had any inappropriate items with them.

The buses departed at approximately 12 p.m. Unfortunately, some of the buses suffered from various issues like a lack of air conditioning that would be later rectified while the students were off at the park. The buses stopped very briefly at a rest stop to allow students to grab snacks and/or use the restroom. There was also a car crash that delayed the arrival of the buses by about 30 minutes.

The buses arrived at the park around 4:30 p.m. and the students and their chaperones would remain at the parks until 2 a.m.

“You find yourself hanging out with people you never thought you’d talk to.”

Students were allowed to roam both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure so that they could enjoy various rides and entertainment. However, most students felt that the event was more beneficial for different reasons. Grad Bash gave students the opportunity to meet new friends, as well as to be acquainted with old friends.

“The thing about Grad Bash [is that] going into it [I thought it was going] to be like any other field trip,” senior Andrew Rothschild said. “But, once you’re there, you find yourself hanging out with people you never thought you’d talk to— meeting people going to the same college as you and just having a fun time with old and new people.”

A lot of students also discussed how, regardless of any troubles that arose, they still felt that it was a worthwhile experience.

“I went to Grad Bash expecting to just be corralled into long lines and ride roller coasters that I didn’t want to, but I got something incredibly different instead,” senior Collin Schwantes said. “I found myself in a wonderfully inviting environment with people who made the experience memorable and fun. Even with the AC trouble and the near 30-minute stop for an accident, if given the chance, I would do it 100 times again.”

“Grad Bash wasn’t about going to Universal or Islands of Adventure, it’s about going with the friends you make over the greatest school years of your life.”

Others also discussed how the event allowed them the opportunity to close off senior year with a bit of bang.

“The best part about Grad Bash is being able to blow off steam with the best friends you made over the years,” senior Maxx Schmidt said. “[You get to meet] a lot of new people— possibly people going to your college. The trip itself went amazing because I was able to be with my high school friends and have an awesome trip at an amusement park. Grad Bash wasn’t about going to Universal or Islands of Adventure, it’s about going with the friends you make over the greatest school years of your life— allowing people to branch out and become who they really are, make more friends and follow your dreams.”

Grad Bash 2019 was filled with ups and downs, however, the majority of students came out with a feeling of satisfaction as they embarked on their final months at CCHS.

Photo by Kayla Florenco