The smell of chlorine and the cheers of parents and students fill the pool. Senior Anita Pan is on the block, her heart beating in her chest, waiting for the whistle to blow.

“I felt nervous swimming that night because all my friends and family were there,” Pan said.

It was SHS’s annual Senior Night event, honoring the class of 2018 at their final home swim meet against Lakota West.

“I was super excited for Senior Night because it’s a fun night to honor all the seniors for our dedication and hard work to this sport,” Pan said.

Every year, the swim team pays tribute to its departing seniors with a short ceremonial introduction and a congratulatory cake following the meet. The team’s underclassmen wear outrageous outfits to school the day of to advertise the event.

“It was a bittersweet ceremony for me because I had been waiting for this since freshman year. It was kind of a moment that made me think, ‘Wow. This is it. I’m a senior and this is my last time swimming in my home pool,’” Pan said.