Along with the crackle of the fire, bits and pieces of conversation can be heard throughout the night. A burnt orange fire is a light source that glows on the giant group of people who rely on it to see all the faces surrounding them. Though the weather may be chilling to the bone, the sense of nostalgia and memories is enough to keep everyone warm. This mass gathering is the annual Senior Bonfire that marks the impending end of an important phase in life.
The class of 2025 bonfire is set to be held in mid to late February. Every year, the campus hosts events specifically for seniors including senior sunrise, senior sunset, and a bonfire. These events motivate seniors and are ways to create memories and have fun.
“I am looking forward to socializing with people I don’t normally see every day and taking good pics,” senior Anna Claire McKenzie said. “The bonfire represents a sense of unity for our class to come together one last time before graduation.”
This tradition started well before the beloved freshman building was built. Originally the bonfire was used as a town spirit event for the football team. Though regretfully it lost its popularity after a while and sat dormant in the school’s history for some time. However, in 2018, science teacher and senior class sponsor Roya Dinbali, along with other faculty members, brought this tradition back to keep it alive for future classes.
“I hope that it’s a night for you guys (seniors) to relax, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company and know that we’re here for you and you guys are here for each other,” Dinbali said.
Though this event happens in the spring semester of the year, it takes months of preplanning to get everything together. Things such as food, local business support, and SFA bonfires have to be taken into account when planning. One of the most important parts of hosting a bonfire is gathering supplies.
“Weeks of preparation begin with securing fire marshal permits for NHS’s annual bonfire tradition,” senior class sponsor Jazmin Pratscher said. “Local businesses are being contacted for pallet donations, while student organizations are invited to help with construction and provide refreshments in exchange for service hours. Final preparations include transporting the donated pallets via band truck, stacking them one week before the event, and coordinating the food and refreshments.”
Safety is one of the major concerns of this event as seen by the steps taken to procure the proper permits and materials. Additionally, this is an event for senior students so school rules must be followed. As such, there are requirements to be allowed to come, one of the most obvious is to be a senior.
“Sadly, if you are currently in DAEP for any disciplinary reasons, it is my understanding that you cannot attend this event,” Pratscher said. “Even though we want all senior students to experience this special moment, we still need to adhere to school policies.”
Although it takes a lot of time and preparation, many dedicated individuals work hard to make it successful. For this reason, the bonfire has been a popular experience since its beginning.
“The bonfire was a bonding experience that felt like a camp,” class of 2024’s Emma Welsh said. “There were s’mores, pictures being taken, and even someone playing the guitar, with people enjoying the stress-free night, throwing balls around and playing tag. There was almost a nostalgic feeling. It was a great time when everyone was having fun and laughing and recalling old times from the years.”
