As senior and track and field athlete Lilia Kuzmicheva walked through the balloon arch on Senior Night, her underclassmen teammates cheered as they presented her with a poster signed by all of them. Surrounded by her team, friends and family, she felt an immense sense of pride, nostalgia and love for her team as she reflected on four years of hard work and memories on the track. 

Moments like these are a larger tradition across Paly athletics. For every sport, the senior celebration honors graduating athletes by presenting them with personalized posters signed by members of the team. This event often takes place during one of the final home games of the season, giving teammates, coaches and parents a chance to recognize the seniors during their final days on the team.

Kuzmicheva said senior night allowed her to reflect on her experiences throughout her years at Paly.

“I really liked reading everybody’s comments and signatures on (the poster) because they were very heartfelt, and I feel like most people actually took it seriously,” Kuzmicheva said. “I’m going to hang it in my room, and I’ll definitely keep it so I can look back on it.”

Senior night is also meaningful for parents and families. Lilia’s dad, Kirill Kuzmichev, said the night offered him a chance to support his daughter’s achievements.

“It was a bit sad because it was the last days of the season and the last days of her running for the school,” Kuzmichev said. “But I was also quite proud that she made it through four years of training, running and competing.”

Junior and soccer player Ellie Knott said, in addition to commemorating seniors, senior night creates a special atmosphere during the game.

“I think senior night makes the environment a lot more fun because everyone wants to put their all out on the field because it’s our last home game, and it feels like the most important game of the season,” Knott said. “More people come. It feels like family and friends are there to support, and everyone just wants to play their best.”

Kuzmicheva agrees and said it meant a lot to her to celebrate other seniors she has bonded with in track and field as an underclassman. 

“Giving a poster to them felt really special too,” Kuzmicheva said. “It was nice to give something to a person that they’d have for a long time.”

Knott said she experienced a mix of emotions during her last home game of the season.

“I feel maybe more sad than happy, because in the beginning, it’s sad because you’re saying goodbye to all these seniors, and they’re acknowledging what colleges they’re going to go to,” Knott said. “But in the middle of the game, it’s fun because it’s our last time playing together, and you just want to have the most fun possible.”

Kuzmichev said as a parent, he also felt bittersweet about the event.

“I think it would be great if she continued to run for a team because she could make a lot of friends through that and keep working on her skills, stamina and competitiveness,” Kuzmichev said. “Sometimes it’s a little sad, but there are also a lot of good moments, that’s what you live for, and those are worth celebrating.”

For seniors, the event ultimately serves as a lasting reminder of their time on the team. Kuzmicheva said the event allows her to keep memories for a lifetime.

“It’s really sad, though, because it’s all the underclassmen, and it’ll be our last year running with them,” Kuzmicheva said. “I’m going to look back at that poster in a couple of years, and it’s going to bring all the memories back.”