Senior Night at Westlake High School celebrates the current seniors and their commitment to their varsity sport. Their time, dedication, and sportsmanship are honored first by the head coach, Mr. Mayer, who provides accolades for the four star athletes, followed by underclassmen speeches. 

 

In the gymnasium on Wednesday, February 2, 2024, Captains, Ella Devito and Cate Nebel, Riley Giaccone, and Chloe Putter were praised in front of their Westlake family. 

 

The celebration is prepared by senior parents, coaches, and the underclassmen on the team. The underclassmen decorated posters that included pictures of the seniors with the other people from the team, their name nicely written out, stickers and their numbers. 

 

As a matter of fact, both Devito and Giaccone really liked the posters that were made, as well as the gifts they received from the moms. 

 

Then, the underclassmen speeches expressed the impact that the individual had on the team and themselves. The speech highlighted both their athletic and personal abilities. 

 

Two of the seniors, Devito and Giaccone, agreed that the speeches were the most memorable part of Senior Night. 

 

Specifically, Giaccone commented that “all my friends who said wonderful things about me and the other seniors on the team” was something she will remember forever.

 

Devito thinks similarly, as she expressed, “The most memorable thing about Senior Night was hearing all the great speeches made about me and my teammates.”

 

Annually, teammates work hard to make sure that their seniors feel recognized for all of their accomplishments. It is no easy task, but one that is done with pride, as each junior member knows the time and effort that their elders put into the season. 

 

Although Giaccone faced a disheartening injury during soccer season, as she tore her ACL resulting in surgery and sitting during basketball season, she explains that Senior Night really helped her feel united: “I feel more connected to the team because the posters and speech made me feel as if I was one of the players.”

 

Devito, Nebel, Giaccone, and Putter all deserve to feel the sense of being united, as they are no doubt leaders both on and off the court. The senior status was certainly influential in building a team who worked together and enjoyed the 23-24 season.