Q: How can I decide if someone should be in my senior page or not?

Sally:

Although this answer is more applicable for seniors, students in every grade can and should take note. Senior pages are due on October 30th. Once they’re turned in, you can’t change what you’ve written. The yearbook comes out in June on Day on the Green, so what you wrote is in permanent ink. Because of this, it’s important to think through what you want to write very carefully. When it comes to your family and friends, it is very likely that your relationships with them won’t change all that much. But with a girlfriend or boyfriend, things could change over the course of the year. Not only this, but it’s important to think about how you’d read your page 30 years from now.

For starters, assess your relationship with the person. Your senior page is meant to sum up high school. So, if someone is or was an important part of your high school experience, include them. Even for relationships of the past, a nice shout-out to what that person meant to you could be important.

For current day relationships, keep it vague. You never know how things will turn out—I’ve seen far too many “I will always love you, we are meant to be” dedications to a girlfriend that, by the time yearbooks are passed out, isn’t that person’s girlfriend anymore. Because of this, keep things vague. A nice “whatever happens, I’ve really enjoyed our time together” is perfect. You show appreciation for that person, without getting yourself in an awkward position.

TL;DR: If they matter in your high school experience, add them on your page. Be sincere, but protectively vague.

Sincerely,
Sally

Steve:

It’s that time of year again. Seniors have devolved into zomboids running on double espressos, 4Loko, and tears. Emotions are at an all-time high, and to add to the pervading sense of stress, Senior pages are due in 3 weeks. Senior pages are meant to be a space to celebrate the good times you have had at Menlo, but the question is, should you immortalize your past and current flames by writing about them?

By definition, Senior pages are a space to write to the people you care about and the people that have defined your Menlo experience. However, remember that the whole world gets to see these pages, not just your closest friends. Much like those lovey dovey Facebook statuses that make me vomit in my mouth every time I read them, don’t go professing your undying love for someone on your Senior page. They are due October 30th and the yearbook comes out on June 6th, can you really envision yourself staying with that person for another 8 months? The shelf life of a high school relationship is 3.5 weeks, so let’s keep things in perspective.

Additionally, don’t write anything too personal or embarrassing. Steer clear of sentences such as, “do you remember that one time that we…” as it will only lead to general confusion and mass hysteria. If you truly want to say something personal to one of your past loves, then write them a letter and hand deliver it to them on the last day of school.

If you strongly disagree with me here, then at least try and be cryptic. Use a lot of inside jokes that won’t be misconstrued negatively. Write your pages as if you will have to read them out loud to your parents.

TL;DR: Think before you write. Do the people you’re writing to mean a lot to you still? If yes, please in the name of all that is Holy keep it PG. If not, shove another heavily edited photo of yourself in there. There is no point wasting room on someone that you don’t really care for anymore.
 

Sincerely,
Steve