Every spring, senior skip day sparks excitement for many of Homestead’s seniors. The longtime high school tradition where the majority of the senior grade collectively skips a day of school to have fun instead of attending classes.

Students often celebrate by attending baseball games, going to the lake, watching a movie at the movie theatres, or even just catching up on sleep. Although the day is often looked forward to and meticulously planned, though it is also sometimes viewed controversially.

On Wednesday, May 27, Homestead High School seniors plan to skip the school day to participate in activities with their friends and enjoy a day of freedom from academics and stress.

Senior Christina Baumann’s ideal plans for senior skip day include spending time in nature.

“I’d like to do something outside, like going to the lake,” Baumann said.

Senior skip day means more to seniors than just being able to not attend school and hangout with their friends. Anya Boegel, senior, feels that what senior skip day truly means to her is on a deeper level than just missing school.

“Senior skip day is a sign of freedom. It’s a sign of the pages ending and a chapter closing,” Boegel said.

On the other side, teachers at Homestead sometimes have a different perspectives of senior skip day. Eric Bauer, English teacher, feels the tradition has changed significantly over the years.

“[Senior skip day] is something where you should be doing something rebellious and now your [guardian] calls you out. If you are going to do a skip day, take the consequences of being unexcused and go out and have safe fun… I would change senior skip day so it’s an actual act or protest and not a setup,” Bauer said.

Whether viewed as a harmless tradition or a day that is controversial to its title, many seniors believe senior skip day creates memories that will last long after graduation.

“Senior skip day is one of the days of your life that you will remember for a very long time, so I think it is a tradition we should keep,” Baumann concluded.