For many rising seniors, also known as juniors going into their senior year, Memorial Day weekend marks more than just the beginning of summer —it marks the beginning of senior year. After long months of assignments, tests, sports seasons, and countdowns to the end of school, students are finally able to relax with long beach days, walks on the boardwalk, and late night memories with friends.
Every year, groups of students head “down the shore”
to places like Ocean City, Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Cape May to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
For rising seniors, though, this summer feels different. It’s the last full summer before graduation, college applications, senior events, and the realization that high school is coming to an end.
Because of that, many students are trying to make this summer more memorable than ever.
“There’s definitely a different feeling this year,” said rising senior Claire Furletti ‘27. “Going down the shore for Memorial Day kind of makes it feel real.”
As students prepare for senior year, many are also creating “senior summer bucket lists” filled with things they want to do before school starts again.
Popular ideas include having beach bonfires, waking up early to watch the sunrise, trying new restaurants, attending concerts, and spending entire days outside without worrying about homework or deadlines.
Lucia Mascaro ‘27 tried a new fun and fresh restaurant in Margate City, Nj called “Saltwater” and said “I took a chance on a new restaurant and became obsessed with this little corner Italian restaurant in Margate”
Beyond the beach itself, many students say it’s the traditions and small moments that make summers at the shore memorable. Popular activities included, mini golf games with friends, bike rides early in the morning, arcade games, and stopping for ice cream after long beach days.
Others spend their weekends trying new restaurants, shopping in the local beach towns, or staying up late to watch fireworks along the boardwalk. For many rising seniors, even these simple moments can make the biggest memories.
Upcoming senior Maggie Boyle ‘27 said “Memorial Day weekend is my favorite summer holiday because everyone is together again, and it feels like the start of something new.”
For the Class of 2027, summer down the shore is not only a chance to relax, but also an opportunity to make memories before the final chapter of high school officially begins.
