The annual Senior Cookout, a long-standing tradition at Jefferson, returned this year with all the energy, food, and friendship that students look forward to as the school year winds down. The event brings together the entire senior class for an afternoon of celebration, featuring Chick-fil-A meals, yearbook signing, SDSU ice cream, and, for the first time, treats from Polar Bites.
Grace Fertral, one of the senior committee leaders, said the cookout represents more than just a meal. It’s a moment for students to pause and enjoy the people who have shaped their high school years. Many seniors echoed that feeling as they reflected on what the event meant to them.
Eddie Mulbah described it simply as “food, friends, and goodbye,” while Kuai Mayen said the best part is the free food and being around friends one last time. Aman Tadesse and Nora Weaver both highlighted Chick-fil-A as their favorite part, with Nora adding that hanging out with friends makes the day special. Noah Duran said he enjoys eating and seeing all the seniors together, and Sameer Hamed called it “grub” and said he’s excited to see everyone. Jayden Silva shared that it’s meaningful to eat with friends at school one final time.
For many, the day carries a bittersweet tone. “It’s really good, and I’m going to miss it a lot,” Yowang Deng Chagai said. Alexia Collins added that she’s excited to see her friends and enjoy some good food together before graduation.
The cookout remains a reminder of how quickly the year passes and how important these final moments are.
