By: The Return of the Eye’s Staff
May 29, 2025
Cedar Point, Progressive Field, Blossom Music Center, Edgewater Park, Cleveland Zoo…these are just a few of the venues that we are excited to visit during the Summer, a two-and-a-half month break from Math, History, English, and Science.
Although the Summer excitement will be plentiful, there are some aspects of this school year that will be missed.
With today being the final article of the 2024-2025 academic year, The Return of the Eye’s staff would like to share some parting words with what will be missed, what Summer excitement awaits, and what to look forward to for next year.
Ben Denovchek
“Not only was this year important for me, but it felt more challenging than the previous year, and that has made me a better person. It has been fun living out high school; it was fun, sad, challenging, and weird at times, but that is just what one should expect. This year is quite somber since I’ll become an upperclassman in just around 90 days. That still boggles my mind. Just two years ago, I was an eighth grader stumbling over my Algebra I work. Although the next school year is on its way, we have to get through Summer first, which is usually the fun part (and also the hottest). Summer freedom is something I always look forward to, yet it also makes me very alone, from being filled in classrooms with my friends almost everyday to only seeing them a few days a week. It’s the daily memories and the classroom laughs that make one lonely once they aren’t happening as often; however, that’s when one must put in effort to go seek out friendships instead of them just occurring naturally. My Summer plans are to spend more time with my father and possibly go to a concert or two with him, go on a cruise, play soccer with my friends, and get my drivers license as I currently have my permit. While seeing seniors leave always hurts, I just remind myself that it would be lame if they just stayed in high school their whole life. On a different note, next year will bring many joys and new memories that will be shared, and I can’t wait to see it all spill out on the canvas.”
Rayna Hines
“This school year has been extremely eventful and memorable. There have been many ups and many downs, but I still managed to get through the school year feeling accomplished and proud. One thing that always helped me through everything was my friends. They have always been there, since day one, and have always been my biggest motivation. I know for a fact that sitting at our lunch table laughing together will be missed the most. But to make up for not being able to sit at our lunch table anymore, we will have the greatest Summer. Our plans for the Summer are to go to Cedar Point often, go to as many fairs as we can, have frequent sleepovers, and make sure that we are always outside doing something. I hope that next year will be just as eventful but with even better memories and stories to tell. I also want to make sure that I make the most out of next year and not take it for granted because every high school year has something you will miss and not be able to have again.”
Justin Lewis
“As the final bell is about to ring, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the highlights of my junior year. My favorite part of the 2024-25 school year was undoubtedly the football and baseball seasons. Being able to go out every Friday night underneath the bright lights and give it all on that turf is a feeling that is indescribable. Yes, we were a 2-8 team, and yes, we get made fun of by the band kids when we lose, but these reasons just make winning feel 10 times better. Baseball season was just as memorable as I gained a tight bond with many teammates and even hit my first home run. Moving away from school, I am extremely excited for this Summer as it is a much needed break. My family’s plan is to take a trip down to Columbus in July, but other than that, we don’t have any other vacations planned. I am also very excited for the 4th of July. My family loves to have a big party, and there is nothing better than firing up the grill and watching colorful fireworks shoot up in the sky. Once this Summer break ends, it will start up my senior year, and out of everything mentioned above, this is what I am most excited for. I saw both of my cousins graduate, one in 2022 and one in 2024. I cannot wait for them to see me graduate in 2026.”
Madison Mullins
“As this school year comes to an end, some things I will miss are all the memories I made. This year was very eventful. Knowing I will be a senior next year makes me miss this past year more and more. There have been many struggles throughout this school year, but it’s finally coming to an end. Although I will miss this year, I don’t think there is anyone who is more excited for Summer than me. I have a lot of camping trips planned for this Summer, and I cannot wait. Also, little things that I cannot wait to do as soon as our last bell rings are beach trips, Cedar Point, vacations, fairs, tanning, and much more. As expected, Summer will fly by for everyone, but this upcoming year will be a little different as it will be my last high school year. It is hard to believe when the last bell rings on Friday that my classmates and I will be seniors. As it can be sad, I am also so excited for it to be over. I have so many things I want to accomplish next year such as keeping grades high, involving myself in many activities, and just hoping to end the year off right.”
Summer Barnes
“This year has been filled with so many memories that will be missed, but those are the past now, and I will look back on them forever. Some things that will be missed are the countless jokes and laughs that have been shared with Mr. Holko, the outstanding effort that I have put into school work this year, and the closeness that I have gained with my friends. The amount of effort that I have put in this year will always be something that I will look back on. There are so many more things to look forward to and more dreams that will be chased in the future. For now, let’s take a moment to focus on the Summer. Some of the things that I plan to do this Summer are celebrate my little brother’s 13th birthday on June 11, go to as many fairs as possible, make a trip to Cedar Point with my friends again, go to Castaway Bay, and to end my Summer vacation, a visit to North Carolina for a week. Once Summer vacation ends, one of the things that I look forward to is becoming a senior. Being able to look at the results and being able to look forward to being completely done with school will be so relieving. Next year, I hope to focus, stay on task, and graduate with my friends. Next year will be the year of me, my future, and some of my dreams being fulfilled.”
Jacob Collins
“This year has brought me many different memories and paths I never thought were possible. All the laughs and fun stuff from this year cannot even be described fully, as there are so many things to talk about. From the friendships made, the school sporting events, the school work, and playing baseball, these things have created memories for me that will last a lifetime. As for excitement this Summer, it will be filled with Guardians games as I will be getting the ballpark pass. I also have the second year of Summer baseball with the recreation center to continue to get better. As for next year, the final year of high school, becoming a senior will be terrific, but with that comes a lot of confusion as nobody knows what the future may hold. There will be a lot of things to look back on in high school, but it will feel great knowing that there is only one more year until the real world awaits. There are a lot of final things that will happen in my senior year that won’t even be noticed as time will fly by. I plan to take next year day-by-day and enjoy it before it’s gone.”
As we head off for a lengthy break, we would like to sincerely thank all of our subscribers and readers for making this student-led newspaper possible. Our growing audience means a lot to us, so thank you for being avid readers and supporters.
As Summer arrives, stay safe, have fun, travel, make lasting memories, and recharge the batteries.
The Return of the Eye will be back in action come August.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 