Plenty of smiles and tears were shared as Liberty’s second graduating class continued a Liberty legacy and crossed the bridge between high school and their futures on their last day, Tuesday, May 15. After finishing finals ahead of their underclassmen peers, taking countless EOC and AP Exams, seniors’ last day ended with the second annual bridgewalk assembly.

After underclassman cheered as seniors filed into the gym and found their way to their seats, principal Mr. Nelson shared his main hope that seniors at Liberty had learned how to, “Be a good person”, during their time here. From there, Mr. Sodemann introduced the two main Liberty traditions; the bridgewalk and the crowning of the new Lady Liberty.

The bridgewalk began in Liberty’s first year in which in the beginning of the year, the new freshman cross the bridge into their high school years and at the end of the year, the departing seniors cross the bridge to symbolize the end of their high school career.

“Actually experiencing [the bridgewalk] was like a dream come true because seeing the seniors do it last year and actually doing it for yourself is completely different,” senior Danielle Kunz said.

On the other hand, the Lady Liberty tradition began when Liberty alumna, Danielle Corgan, began to exhibit strong school spirit her freshman year at Liberty and teachers and peers dubbed her, “Lady Liberty.”

“Lady Liberty is someone who loves Liberty with all of her heart, is a friend to all and has a lot of school spirit,” Corgan, explained at the assembly on Tuesday.  

Last year, Corgan passed down the torch to senior Emma Ingle at the first senior send-off assembly. Ingle, then passed down the title to junior Dani Gregory at this year’s assembly.

“I chose this person because of her obvious school spirit, handle every challenge that has come her way with grace and she’s an inspiration to me,” Ingle said of Dani Gregory before passing the torch down.

Gregory received an American flag vest that matched Ingle’s, a certificate and prop torch that all Lady Liberty’s carry.

From there, the bridgewalk commenced, with social studies teacher Mr. Webster, who is retiring after 32 years in public education, taking the lead. Students said their goodbyes to their favorite teachers as they passed through the doors out to the bridge, where students’ families were waiting on the other side of the bridge and the band, split in between the gym and the bridge itself, let the seniors out with one last bang.

Back inside the gymnasium, students reorganized themselves to sit in the sections appropriate to the grade they are entering next year.