To wrap up the end of the semester and cherish one of the last moments with the USB seniors, Ayala’s leadership class held their annual banquet at the Western Hills Country Club on Monday, December 8. The event was defined by the heartfelt honoring of USB seniors and the meaningful continuation of long-held USB traditions.

“[The banquet] is just really bonding over our memories we have in this class, and how many times we have worked and stayed later preparing for rally days and homecoming,” Jacob Medina, a junior USB student, said. 

Leadership students have worked tirelessly behind the scenes this semester, curating an engaging experience for Ayala’s student body with the Moana Rally, Homecoming, and the F1 Rally. The countless hours these dedicated students have funneled into making posters and organizing events deserve kudos.

The banquet is a treasured celebration among USB students, and a night of festivities to commemorate a successful first half of the school year. As students filled the room, it was electrified with lighthearted jokes and easy-going smiles.

“Everybody knew each other, and it was like one giant family that was able to get along,” USB student Charlotte Chen (9) said.

Undoubtedly, seniors were at the heart of the event, just as they act as the core of the USB class. The majority of these seniors have been in the leadership class all four years of high school and have used their extensive experience to assist their underclassmen. Their guidance was essential for every USB and set their predecessors up to succeed in the years to come.

“It gives [the seniors] one last memory of everyone together and allows everyone to take photos and enjoy themselves,” Executive Board President Dylan Chang (11) said. “It just felt really good that they were getting honored for their last year.”

A highlight of the night for several individuals was the USB advisor, Randy Reams, giving his heartwarming speech, making all feel welcome. This moment allowed all listening to truly appreciate the commitment he had shown to the USB program and his honest desire to improve Ayala. He described how, since stepping into his role last year, he has tried to bring back and implement traditions, which were presented to the seniors at the banquet.

“The traditions were these plaques that the seniors earned at the end of the year,” Medina said. “[The plaques] are important because it shows [seniors’] dedication.” 

However, the joyous occasion was mixed with a hint of gloominess as the Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors watched their beloved seniors say their farewell to an amazing program. Each senior was a friend, mentor, and advisor to their underclassman, and their departure is looked upon with happiness as they approach a new chapter in their lives, and sadness as that next step leaves behind Ayala.

“I was getting really sad, knowing that they were not going to be here next semester and that it probably will not be as lively as when I first got here,” Chen said. “The reality started setting in on me.” 

Though the seniors will leave USB for the second semester of the school year and soon graduate, the lessons they have learned throughout the years in the leadership class will not be easily forgotten. The banquet was a perfect last opportunity for these seniors to reminisce on their time in USB.

Acting as a bittersweet conclusion as well as a jubilant celebration, the night continued on flawlessly, ending as students mingled among one another, leaving all in attendance with a strong sense of just how rich and close-knit the community of talented students is.

“My favorite part was after the banquet, where we were able to take pictures with everybody, or talk to the people that we did not talk to before the banquet, and so we were able to get multiple pictures and have fun,” Chen said.

As the event came to its end, it evidently came to light that the banquet serves as an upholding of the true purpose of the USB class: to make all students at Ayala enjoy coming to school and have a good time while doing it. Undeniable satisfaction settled inside each student as they celebrated a job well done.

“I just thought it was a proud moment, and I am sure everyone was also very proud that they were part of leadership,” Chang said.