Lightridge recently added a new privilege for seniors, the Senior Lounge. Located in room 1420, the lounge is available to all seniors during the first and last block of each day. The lounge gives students a quiet and calming place to relax during study hall or when they have early release.

The lounge is currently used for reading, group projects, and playing various available games. This spring, Lightridge plans to add outdoor activities and tables on the patio outside the lounge, with a donation from Home Depot.

The initial interest of the lounge came from the class of 2025, and while it was not created before that class graduated, they advocated for the class of 2026 to have this privilege. The class of 2025 donated their leftover funds to contribute to the lounge. 

“They thought about ‘what can we do for future classes’, they weren’t just thinking about themselves, they were thinking about future senior classes,” said  Principal Dr. Ryan Hitchman.

Senior class president, Nicole Almeida, used the idea to have a space for the class of 2026 that is passed down to each class as a part of her campaign for class president. 

“2026 was like ‘were going to organize it and make sure it takes place, that is happens while we are here,’” said Rhapsody Barbrow, Social Studies Department Chair and SCA sponsor. 

“Every college campus has a student event/student activity center where they can go to meet up with their friends,” said Hitchman.

“One of the things I have always take pride in at Lightridge is, and I always tell parents is, ‘we are preparing yout students for their future, not our past,’” said Hitchman. “To get students used to what they are going to experience in college, having an environment like this, even though is on a small scale, is what every single college has.”

A goal of having this space is it will be improved each year to further benefit the class it is being passed down to.

“A way to make sure that they are remembered on the positive,” said Barbrow.