West High School holds Senior Walk Day as graduation approaches

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) – Sioux City West High School students walked the halls of other schools in their caps and gowns for Senior Walk Day.

The students were recognized for their achievements and success. They walked the halls of Riverside Elementary School, West Middle School, Loess Hills Computer Programming School, Perry Creek Elementary School, Liberty Elementary, and Irving Dual Language Elementary.

Valedictorian Kaen Cummings said that this walk means many things to him, as it symbolizes where he used to attend elementary school.

“This is the last time I will be here,” Cummings said. “It just means a lot to me personally because it’s just my final days here.”

While some students experience a memorable long stretch feeling in seeing their whole education come to an end, other students experience bliss to walk the halls of Liberty Elementary School. Student council president Mahogany Vanpelt said that this walk reminded her of her past experiences while studying.

“I feel like there is something special that I went to Liberty, so once I go to Liberty there is something very powerful and bittersweet walking into your school and seeing your old teachers and seeing the next generation of kids who are going to experience this one day,” Vanpelt said. “It’s just bittersweet.”

As graduation day approaches for the West High School students, they find themselves feeling proud.

“It makes me feel really good,” Vanpelt said. “There is something great about knowing that I did, and I have done, enough. By Tuesday I will be graduating so now it’s very powerful and great.”

This senior tradition creates an inspiration that has sprung as high school students think about their future educations.

“This fall,” Vanpelt said, “I will be attending the University of Iowa, studying journalism and mass communications and furthering my career in that realm.”

The West High School Senior Day Walk has been a tradition for senior graduates for many years. The school’s graduation will take place May 21 at 7:00 p.m., where the students will say goodbye to their longtime memories and make new ones in their higher education journeys.

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