The sports teams at South Windsor High School are very passionate about having a special game to celebrate the seniors on the given sports team. Senior night is important to all seniors because it makes them feel valued. This event is a positive, fun game that consists of a walk out with parents, fun posters focusing on each senior, banners with information, and a supportive crowd.
Focusing on just the fall sports: girls and boys soccer, girls and boys cross country, football, girls volleyball, cheerleading, field hockey, and girls swim & dive. Each sport has their own way of celebrating the seniors with traditions and events.
Soccer
The soccer teams both played their senior night at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford on October 14, 2025. The Bobcats started this tradition in 2022 to make the night even more special by playing at the Hartford Athletic’s stadium, an American professional soccer team based in Hartford, Connecticut.
Hayden Xhokaxhiu, a senior captain on the boys soccer team, had a great experience. “Senior night means a lot, especially watching three years of seniors older than me go through the same cycle. It’s a day to appreciate the programs and honor the oldest generation,” Xhokaxhiu said.
Gabriella DiSalvatore, a starting center back on the girls varsity soccer team noted the importance of the recognition.
“It is important to get recognized as seniors because we’ve given a lot into the program for the past four years,” DiSalvatore said.
She believes that senior night is a recognition of all the hard work and hours spent on being part of a team.
Girls Swim and Dive
The Girls Swim and Dive team hosted their senior night at Star Hill Family Athletic Center in Tolland on October 21, 2025. Something specialized for the seniors is a signed kick board by teammates given to every senior. These are given to the swimmers at the beginning of the senior night meet.
“Senior night means a lot to me because it’s a chance to look back on everything I’ve put into the sport and all the memories I’ve made with the team. It’s also a day where we can celebrate all the teammates and coaches who made our journey possible,” a senior swimmer on the team, Aahana Roy, said.
Roy highlights her coaches and reflects on how they shaped her high school sports experience.
Cross Country
Their senior night was held at Nevers park in South Windsor on October 7, 2025. Underclassmen made posters and gift boxes for seniors and there was a ceremony before the races started, where each senior was honored. XC senior, Sofia Holovatska said, “a lot of change happens between freshman to senior year, so senior night makes me reflect on my growth and how much I’ve changed because of my sport across 4 years.”
A senior on the boys team, Ben Bolduc, said, “it’s important for seniors to get recognized because they are the backbones of the team. They provide leadership and guidance for the younger athletes in order for the team’s legacy to be carried on.” According to Ben, being a senior comes with responsibilities.
Girls Volleyball
Girls volleyball has their senior night in the gym of South Windsor High School with decorations and posters hung all around the room. The celebration fell on October 10th, 2025. Each senior got 4 posters, a personalized banner, a gift basket and a present. Senior captain, Kailie Girard said, “it’s important for seniors to be recognized because it showcases each seniors journey and their progression over all 4 seasons” Girard has contributed her hard work for all four years of high school to the volleyball team and appreciates the celebration.
Football and Cheerleading
On November 22, 2025, Football and cheerleading share their senior night on the home turf at South Windsor High School. Both teams have their parents walk them out. Dominic MacNeil, a senior captain on the football team said, “senior night to me is a final goodbye to the sport I love and have played all my life.”
Not everyone continues to play sports at the collegiate level, so athletes that end their career in high school are represented on senior night for the person that they’ve become. Keeley-Ann Scott, a senior on the cheerleading team said, “it’s important for seniors to get recognized because many of these seniors have dedicated their time and worked their hardest for their teams.”
Field Hockey
Lastly, Field Hockey is at the home turf field of South Windsor High School on October 22, 2025. The booster club moms have a tradition of buying a fun gift for each senior. “It’s important for a senior to get recognized because they have spent four years showing up and making an impact on the team so it is a chance for them to feel special,” senior captain Izabel Dzubin said.
The significance of senior night differs for different people but overall all seniors are honored to be appreciated for the time and work that they have put into their respective sport.
