High School Senior Traditions - 2025
For many, one memory always shines bright from youth, high school graduation. It marks the closing of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another. Some seniors can’t wait to spread their wings and leave the “same old hometown,” while others are perfectly content to stay rooted in the place they’ve always known.
This fall, seniors across Jackson County are stepping into a year filled with tradition, milestones, and once-in-a-lifetime memories. From senior sunrise breakfasts to homecoming, sports, and spirit days, each school has its own way of celebrating the Class of 2026.
Cottondale kicked off the year with a senior sunrise breakfast. Senior Karmen Benefield, who has been dual enrolled, said she’s eager to embrace her next chapter.
“I’m actually really looking forward to the college experience. It’s going to start a new chapter of what I want to do in life and I’m just excited for that, and my twin sister is doing it with me,” she said.
Benefield is also ready for the fun parts of senior year. “I’m excited for senior nights because I’ll be playing basketball this year, too. Kendall, my twin sister, she’s playing, too. So, it’s going to be like a little duo. And of course, homecoming, I’m excited to see what activities they come up with this year. Overall, just the seniors… we’re going to win.”
Classmate Sam Seigle, who’s been at Cottondale for eight years, says football tops his list of senior-year highlights. “Definitely football. That’s my number one,” he said, adding that he hopes his final season will help open doors to the next level. Dual enrolled at Chipola, Seigle also looks forward to traditional milestones like prom: “Your last prom, you’ve got to make the most of it.”
At Sneads High, a trio of students shared their excitement.
Kinsey Ragan said he’s focusing on academics and his faith. “I’m just looking to spread the gospel with the youth. I also want to finish my classes strong this semester. And I’m really looking forward to a good baseball season,” he said. Dual enrolled at Chipola, he has his eye on Baptist College of Florida for the future.
Dylan Chester, who transferred to Sneads last year to play baseball for Coach Andy Shelton, said senior year is about deepening friendships. “Last year I was new, and I grew some strong friendships. I’m hoping to grow more and just experience more this year.” He
was excited about the class’s sunrise breakfast by the lake: “We’ll watch the sun come up, eat a little bit, and just hang out before school starts.”
Shaleigh Harrell wants to dive deeper into extracurriculars. “I want to be more involved in FFA and volleyball. And we also have FCA, and I want to get more involved with that,” she said. Her favorite tradition? Spirit days. “I just like how every grade gets really close together. Or football games when we’re all in the student section, those are always fun.”
Graceville senior Lucy Tun is looking forward to her senior year and starting new traditions with her class, “I feel like the best thing I am waiting for is definitely senior activities. Homecoming definitely and spirit week and senior trip as well.” She said she would like to add some activities for their last year and as a group, “Time goes by so fast so it’s just being a senior is so, we are not quite so ready for it. But we do want to have a fine nice year as a group.”
At Malone, Jaden Southwell was looking forward to the Tiger tradition of sunrise at Citizens Lodge followed by breakfast at Waffle House. Having been at Malone since first grade, Southwell said she’s eager to embrace the leadership role that comes with being a senior.
“I’m looking forward to being able to talk with the younger classes, help them as they go through things I’ve already been through, and being in positions of leadership in clubs,” she said.
Malone seniors also added a creative twist to tradition, crown painting. “It became this trend where seniors decorate Burger King crowns or even paint overalls with glitter and senior slogans to wear on the first day,” Southwell explained. “We’re getting together to paint ours the night before school starts. It’s all about bonding and making memories.”
She also helped create a banner for the sunrise event, which she says will be a picture-perfect kickoff to the year.
Marianna High senior Teigan Chaddock was among those braving the summer heat painting her parking spot to make her mark on her senior year, “I’m very excited for senior sunrise. I’m so excited to be able to bond with my friends and watch the sunrise together for our last year together in the same school.”
Classmate Kelsi Jenkins was all smiles talking about her senior year, “I’m excited about this year, everything that we will get to experience as a class and the memories we will make. Painting my parking spot was a great start to my senior year.”
From Cottondale to Sneads to Malone to Graceville, and Marianna, one thing is clear: Jackson County’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark. Whether it’s on the court, the
field, in the classroom, or through traditions that bring classmates together, these seniors are embracing every moment of their final high school journey.
Stay tuned with The Times for more highlights of senior milestones throughout the year.