WIth fear of the impending doom to come at the end of the year 2012, the class of 2012 spent their last high school trip together in Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, as well as several other locations in southern California, May 18-20.

Tyler Krigbaum, ’12, says that the difference between the senior trip and the senior retreat was the strengthened bond between students at the beginning compared to the end of the year.

“The differences [between Senior Retreat and Senior Trip] were probably that on Senior Retreat we had to be put into groups where you were put with at least one or two people you didn’t really know,” Krigbaum said. “On Senior Trip, we knew a lot of people, because we got to know our class throughout the year, and now we can just relax and hang out with everyone we can.”

As a long time attendee of the anual trip, Bible teacher Robert Foshee believes the trip allows for a separate time for the students to celebrate amongst themselves.

“It’s kind of the last time they’re all together,” Foshee said. “There are not other events going on and they can spent time focusing on each other. It’s cool to see other people hanging out with people they don’t usually. I even get to see some of the students who weren’t in my classes. They get to truly enjoy each others company.”

Seniors spent the first day of the trip attending a murder mystery dinner. After a few hours of strange reoccurring murders and small clues from several students, the riddle was solved. They discovered that Joshua Grinage, ’12, was the famous Green Hornet who was being threatened by Jacob Williams, ’12. However, after Williams’ girlfriend Raine Hayes, ’12, discovered his gambling vice, she repeatedly stabbed him.

The following day, students toured Coronado Beach and spent several hours exploring the stores, beach and views of the architecturally beautiful homes. At the same time, a large game of Ultimate Frisbee was afoot.

Then, they traveled down to San Diego to watch the San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Angels game at the new Petco Park stadium. The group arrived a couple hours early, which enabled them to catch a few of the balls during batting practice. One of which included a line drive that left a bruise on Williams’ stomach because he was unaware of the oncoming hit. After which, several students quickly regretted sitting in ‘hot spot’ seats. Krigbaum enjoyed this second day the most because students were given a lot of time to themselves.

“Overall my favorite part was probably the second day, which was San Diego. We went to Coronado Beach, played some frisbee, went swimming in the ocean and then went to a Padres game,” Krigbaum said. “It was a lot of fun going to that game, it was a really chill time just hanging out and we got to know teachers and friends and got to relax the entire time.”

Despite the Prom that was held at the hotel, in which several students from a nearby school were partying late on the students’ floors, the senior class still roused early in the day to end their trip at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. There, teacher Molly Sargent had students meet at the Tower of Terror in California Adventures for a group picture. However, because a majority of them were stuck in line at Star Tours in Tomorrowland, they were unable to appear in the photo.

And though the trip was tiring Darlene Idsinga, ’12, still felt that when it was over, it was worth it. Idsinga says that she oftentimes found herself falling asleep in the long lines at Disneyland.

“It was exhausting, tiring and annoying, but really fun and exciting overall,” Idsinga said. “We were out so much and I was just so exhausted that I fell asleep in line for Space Mountain. But it was still really fun and I’m glad I came to this {Senior Trip}.”

With seniors finally arriving in Fresno close to three o’clock on Monday morning, most would sleep until late the next day, ending their year with memories from their final trip.

“We’ve been close since Senior Retreat and this was just to celebrate everything so, of course it brought us closer,” Idsinga said. “But, it’s going to make us miss each other more.”

The seniors’ graduation will be held in the Peoples Church sanctuary beginning at 7 p.m. and followed by a reception in the Peoples Church Gym, May 24.

For more articles about senior events towards the end of the year, visit BRIEF: Seniors prepare for final exams, anticipate senior trip and Graduation rouses college nerves, celebration.

For more news articles, visit BRIEF: Multi-school agreement welcomes home school athletes.