Written By: Daphné Panie

This year’s Junior-Senior Challenge was an engaging and fun event. This annual tradition consisted of a series of challenges in which upperclassmen fought against each other before a winning grade was declared at the end of the day. The ultimate goal of the challenge was to foster “camaraderie within the grades,” said Selena Zhang ‘26, and an opportunity for “some good-natured (and competitive) fun!”

In the week leading up to the challenge, students participated in 25 mini-challenges designed to build excitement and anticipation. These daily challenges included recreating the iconic Spider-Verse scene with three Spider-men pointing at each other, writing thank-you notes to teachers, completing 50 successive pushups, or singing KSI’s “Thick of It” loudly by the Wildcat statue under the library. Each successful completed challenge contributed to their grade’s chance at victory, allowing everyone to play a role in the final outcome. 

On Friday, students could look forward to four main events: kickball, football, trivia, and the highly anticipated volleyball game as the highlight of the day. This provided opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills in sports, while other students could enjoy participating in more academic activities such as trivia. 

With 1,000 points on the line for the winning grade, the volleyball game decided the outcome of the Junior-Senior Challenge, intensifying the stakes and adding to the excitement. Senior class senator James Murphy called it “by far the most important game in the entire challenge,” while Esais Gonzalez ‘25, student body spirit representative, added that it is “a must-see.” Both grades have impressive volleyball players, shaping for an epic game full of twists. The players were thrilled to have their classmates cheering from the bleachers of the basketball court. 

Trivia is a new activity that was added this year and, as Murphy declared, this “academic option [will] help boost student participation.” Those who did not enjoy football and kickball or who would rather engage in a more academic activity could participate in this grade-wide competition. The organizers had created many trivia questions and real buzzers such as the one used in Jeopardy were used, promising a fun and exciting activity. 

The stakes were even higher for the challenge, as the winning grade would be rewarded with a pizza party, funded by the losing grade’s StuGo, and all students who voted for the winning grade would be invited to participate. According to a recent poll, to which 126 students responded, 75% of students backed the seniors, and 25% rooted for the juniors. On Friday, students were sorted into two color categories: white outfits to support juniors, and black outfits to support seniors. 

Predictions about the winning grade were divided, as shown by the answers of multiple members from the respective grade class representatives who were interviewed. Zhang declared that the juniors would certainly win because of their “energy, enthusiasm, and spirit to win.” On the other hand, Murphy insisted, “The trophy will stay in the senior lounge this year” because of the strong seniors participating, increasing their chances of winning. Additionally, Gonzales responded that the seniors are looking to “defend [their] title this year” as they won last year and wish to perpetuate their streak. 

One thing is certain: this year’s Junior-Senior Challenge was unforgettable!

Congratulations to the seniors for winning the challenge this year!