Senior Class Mugs

HHS Senior class mugs throughout the years!

Senior Class Mugs:

Donor: Shaun Pawsat, Class of 1987)

Author: Edy Hobson and Cora Bolser, Class of 2028

Story Contributors: Kevin Listerman, John Darnell, Krista Meadows, Class of 1992, William Schlarman, Class of 1983, Kym Grillot, Megan Hosea Abner, class of 1991, Ted Abner, class of 1983

Web Page Designer: Jade Farley, Class of 2027

Seniors have been celebrated at Highlands since the school's very opening in 1888. In the 1980’s there was a tradition of gifting the seniors a “class song” mug. The last week of school, at a breakfast on the day of Commencement practice, each graduating senior would receive a gift of their class mug. The mug would commemorate their year by bearing our school name, the graduation year and the title of the “Class Song” voted on by the classmates. It was a tangible gift to signify the completion of their high school years and reflect on their accomplishments. This tradition eventually ended, but other traditions are still being carried on today including the senior sunrise, and the senior cookout.

HHS Senior Class Mug, 1987

The featured class mug, from 1987, was given to us by alumnus Shaun Pawsat.

Another alumnus, and current HHS teacher, Willie Schlarman, an '83 graduate, stated, “I still have my mug from 1983. ‘Carry On’ was the theme, and that was the class song. I still have my mug sitting in the cabinet at home. They played the song “Carry On” at our prom and the dances. It was pretty neat.”

Alumni from different graduating years still have their mugs. The mug reminds them of the pride of being a Highlands graduate and the good times at Highlands. The mug changed from class to class, but the tradition of a class mug carried on for years.

When reflecting about the various senior class traditions year-to-year, Krista Meadows, Spanish teacher and Highlands ‘92 graduate stated, “They’re not necessarily different traditions, they’ve just evolved over time.”

Senior celebrations are very traditional and important to the school as many of them have been carried on throughout the years. The traditions are part of the school's history which is why so many of them are still being carried out today. Typically, Highlands focuses on creating a special culminating experience the last week or two of school, for the seniors, with specific events and theme days.

Kym Grillot, a senior sponsor in previous years, stated, “It might be easier to say that there are formal and informal traditions. Formal would be the ceremonies - Baccalaureate and Commencement. Some traditions are informal like the Senior Class Cookout, the Powder Puff Football Game or the Senior Class River Boat Cruise.”

HHS Senior Class Mug, 1992

HHS Senior Class Mug, 1991

Highlands seniors enjoy participating in the traditions. Throughout the years many students become more comfortable and involved with their class, so that at the end of their journey throughout school they come together one last time and celebrate all they’ve accomplished.

Listerman continued, “Part of what we are trying to do with our “Legacy’ Program is to build activities and experiences that are unique and special to each class. The hope is to connect students to each other in a different way and build a class identity.”

The Legacy program helps students become more involved in the school/community as an effort to leave a mark on the school before they graduate. Sort of their own Legacy, which is developed during a period in school where classmates are pulled together to learn more about each other and developing qualities of being a good leader.

Listerman said, “Ideally, we want every student to be connected to both the school and the Fort Thomas community. We want to provide them opportunities outside of the normal structure of the school day.”

The community and school celebrate the upcoming graduates because they have worked so hard throughout the years to get to the point of graduation. The seniors deserve to have their efforts recognized in fun ways. The traditions are sort of like a reward for how hard they have worked and a way to bring closure to their formal public education.

John Darnell, the principal of Highlands spoke on the matter, “It’s a nice recognition of the fact they have put in all this time and effort over the last 13 years.”

Highlands continues to celebrate seniors over the years, even if those traditions have changed over time. Many community members, parents and faculty have been involved with the organization of senior celebrations and are the people who truly make the magic happen.

Listerman explained, “The community invests so much into our students, all the way through; whether it’s the foundation, or grants, technologies, teachers, parents, support groups, PTSO and the athletic boosters,

Listerman continued, “There is so much community support that I think they want the seniors to know how much they want them to be successful, and how much that they are cared for by our community.”

HHS Senior Class Mug, 1983

Efforts from parents and Highlands staff ensure the seniors enjoy their celebrations, which makes the seniors more willing to participate in some of the traditions/celebrations of their high school years. These traditions are fun and enjoyable when a majority of the students participate.

Listerman continued, “It’s really by the class, but what gets me excited is when the majority of the students participate in the events. Whether it’s a backpack day or the dress up days, those type of things that our students recognize that we can come to school and do our work and still have fun while we are doing it.”

Teachers get enjoyment out of seeing students graduate and become adults. It reminds them of where students started off as and how much they have grown throughout the years. Graduation is a bittersweet experience for many who support the graduates, including parents, teachers, and siblings.

Grillot said, “Graduation from high school is one of those important passages of your life - like getting a driver's license or going on to college or getting married or having children. Celebrating each stage of someone's life, in my opinion, makes life worth living.”

HHS Senior Class Mug, 1982

It is wonderful to see that Highlands still celebrates seniors so much for their graduation from high school. Such a big accomplishment deserves a big celebration.

Grillot continued, “We all get to share in their joy. This is my 30th year teaching over all - 23 here at HHS. And I have attended every single graduation ceremony in those 30 years because it really has been the best part of my job - celebrating with students and families.”

This Highlands Stories Website is filled with artifacts saved by graduates because their memories from high school have been worth clinging to. We’re grateful for the senior class mugs in our collection.

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