As graduation approaches, grad parties lie closer on the horizon for the Class of 2024 than ever before.
Unlike a birthday party or holiday celebration, grad parties offer an unlikely social setting of friends and family coming together under the same roof to recognize the dedication of graduates.
Festivities range from, but are not limited to: backyard games, catered food, bonfires and photo slideshows.
Like each graduate, each party is unique in its own way.
For senior Jackson Rohrbaugh, backyard games are always a staple of a standout grad party.
“I’ve been to [grad parties] with cornhole,” Rohrbaugh said, “and one with a water balloon fight and a Slip ‘N Slide. That was a lot of fun.”
Apart from outdoor activities, for Rohrbaugh, grad parties are a time for reminiscing on the past four years.
“I try to spend the time at grad parties recalling all the great memories I’ve made with all the people I know,” Rohrbaugh said. “It’s a great opportunity to reflect, but also be glad of the friendships you made.”
For Rohrbaugh, recognizing the connections made throughout high school is of utmost importance, even if it means a large invite list.
“I have to manage having almost 50 people in my house, which is something I’ve never done before. But it’ll be a lot of fun.”
With families and friends coming together for the same celebration, grad parties elicit interactions that wouldn’t normally occur; guests uniting through the common ground of supporting their graduates.
“It’s great to meet new people in a context where you’re celebrating someone that you all care about,” Rohrbaugh said.
Among new and familiar faces, conversations of summer plans and post-graduate futures litter the air.
Most grad parties are hosted in the grad’s backyard, taking advantage of the warm summer weather.
For senior Hunter Haight, an open pool and pizza is all that’s needed for his complete grad party.