Senior Portrait Day Marks The First Of The Lasts For Briarcliff's Class Of 2027

And so it begins: the first of the lasts for Briarcliff seniors.

One by one, seniors returned to Briarcliff High School, some with friends and others with parents, and made their way to the CLIFF for Senior Portrait Day, one of the first milestones of their final year.

An energy filled the CLIFF: a mixture of excitement, anticipation and the awareness that the day marked not only the beginning of a new school year, but the final year of high school for these seniors.

For Kaylin Wong, a lifelong Briarcliff Manor UFSD student, Senior Portrait Day represents far more than a photograph. It marks the beginning of the final chapter of a 13-year journey through Briarcliff schools.

What Kaylin is looking forward to this year is also what she will miss most. “I’m looking forward to spending the year with all my friends. It’s our last year together before we all go our separate ways, so I think that’s always something to look forward to, but also something that’s going to be hard to let go of — moving on from this place, somewhere you’ve spent your whole life,” she said.

Ben Godoy Faundez came to Briarcliff as a freshman after graduating from Pocantico Hills School and choosing BHS for high school. He arrived knowing only a small number of students but quickly found a sense of belonging.

“Coming to Briarcliff was a big change, but soccer helped me meet people before school even started. Freshman year, I only knew the students who played soccer, and they invited me to sit with them at lunch. That’s how I started meeting my friends. This year, I’m looking forward to doing well in school and just having fun during my last year with all my friends,” said Ben.

Lexi Ovadia can’t wait to jump into her senior year. “I’m excited to go to cheer camp with my team before school starts, and I’m excited for the first day of school, decorating cars with friends, and Senior Sunrise,” she said. As a mentor to ninth-graders, Lexi is also looking forward to New Student Orientation, where she can share her enthusiasm for clubs and school spirit and encourage incoming freshmen to make the high school experience their own.

Throughout the year, we’ll continue capturing the Class of 2027’s firsts, lasts, and everything in between, preserving the moments that will remain part of their Briarcliff story long after graduation.

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.