It’s a new and exciting year for the University Academy Class of 2025! The seniors have already checked off a couple of activities to kick off the year.
Senior Sunrise is one of UA’s many senior traditions that the majority of seniors participate in. At this event, students are able to mingle with one another, do a couple of activities as a class and enjoy breakfast together.
Senior Jamiyah Allen said sharing each other’s favorite memories at UA was her favorite part of Senior Sunrise this year.
The seniors have many activities planned for the year ahead with the help of people working behind the scenes.
Mr. Josh Burdette, college advisor and senior sponsor, does the bulk of the senior planning but has said that he doesn’t do it alone. Mr. Burdette has the help of English teacher Dr. Leah Edens, who is the class co-sponsor, and Ms. Susie Jackson, Manager of Upper School Operations.
While events are scheduled for the seniors all year long, the longest one yet is the senior trip. This year’s trip will occur Oct. 6-8, 2024.
Mr. Burdette said, “[Ms. Jackson] and I have been doing senior trips for 15, if not 16, years, so we definitely know some of the ins and outs.”
The senior trip lasts a few days and is run by Ms. Jackson and Mr. Burdette. The trip allows the seniors to tour two or three colleges and spend some time together bonding. By visiting a few campuses, students can get a feel for some different types of environments and schools
This year, the seniors will visit Philander Smith College, the University of Arkansas, Missouri State University and Drury University.
UA senior Michael Smith is attending the trip, and he said he’s excited to hang with friends and shop at the mall.
This year will go by fast for the senior class, as it does every year, Mr. Burdette said, and the students will have his help selecting the right college before graduation arrives.
“We want to make sure students are choosing a school that would be an academic fit, a social fit but then also a financial fit,” Mr. Burdette said.
Smith said Bethune-Cookman University and Kansas State University are two of his top college choices at the moment. For Allen, Louisiana State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Southern University and Missouri State University are a few of her top picks.
Stay tuned to these senior Gryphons and their final college selections!
As part of the preparation for the next phase of students’ academic journeys, UA requires all seniors to have at least four college acceptances, and many are off to a good start.
The year ahead will surely be hectic and go by at a fast pace, but hopefully these students can enjoy each part of their final year at UA. Allen said that before coming into senior year she was nervous, but she also said, “I just need to pace myself and take it one thing at a time, one day at a time.”
Smith has been approaching the year by setting specific goals such as maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
The Class of 2025 is just now getting started and will have is big finish on May 15, 2025!