Benjamin Wang ’27
At the start of each fall, the graduating class gathers at the outdoor basketball court to create a mural that turns the previously blank wall into a symbol representing class pride and the excitement that echoes across campus with every game. The Senior Wall not only serves to unite the class as they finish their last year at Episcopal, but also reminds the rest of the community of the pride and legacy of the students who came before them. It shows a moment, a connection, for students to look forward to from their earliest years at Episcopal. It’s a rite of passage that signals the beginning of their final chapter on campus.
For many students, the wall stands as a physical representation of the identity they’ve built during their time at Episcopal. VI form dean Zach Richards explains, “It represents the school spirit and pride that the seniors have in their school. This is their last year, and so it’s a great way for them to show how much they value this community.” The wall becomes a snapshot of the class, something future students will instantly recognize as theirs. Senior Class President Frank Shanahan ’26 agrees with Richards, saying, “I feel like it represents a legacy for us. It’s something you leave behind. It’s something that everyone who’s walking by will see, and it’s our contribution to school spirit in a way.”
The painting also serves as a way to bring the senior class together. Richards emphasizes the joy behind the tradition, saying, “It’s a celebration of the class. It’s another way to honor the class, but also it is a fun gathering event.” He also mentions how this collaborative effort is a fun way to destress: “It brings the group together, which is great, the timing of it this year. It’s a good way to set the tone for the rest of the year.” He concludes with, “Senior year, especially in the fall, can be a little bit stressful. But this is a really low-stakes, fun thing to take part in, come together, and just remind everybody that [there are] some stressful points. But, it’s senior year, and we’re gonna have a lot of fun too.” Despite the stresses that come along with 12th grade, the seniors are handling it with fun and school spirit, which is clearly reflected on the wall and through the halls.
Photo courtesy of Mahika Ralhan ’26
The wall is not only an important tradition, but also represents the personality of each class. Grace Schoenstein ’26, the designer of the wall, was intentional when choosing which symbols to represent on it. When asked what specifically she wanted to highlight, she says, “…definitely the chapel because I think it’s such a keystone of our campus, and it just ties everything together.” Along with the chapel, she wanted to incorporate school spirit, which was represented through the Thunderdome. She says, “I think with the dome, we’re very involved and loud, and I feel like our energy is very contagious to the rest of the grades. So that brought it all together.” Another aim of the design was to make it feel recognizable to any student, regardless of grade, by highlighting shared spaces and common experiences that affect everyone across campus. Schoenstein’s important message of school spirit conveys an enthusiastic characteristic that represents, arguably, the most important part of EA culture.
The Senior Wall not only took ideas, but also a lot of collaboration across the sixth form. Schoenstein emphasizes the importance of listening to others and adapting each concept, saying, “I think just taking feedback from people. A lot of people are working on it, so just sort of taking that and taking a step back and looking at it from far away was important too.” Student Council Class President Charlotte Franklin ’26 adds to the importance of collaboration with, “Everyone really came together and everyone had a part in it, too. It showed there’s a spot for everyone in the group.” Shanahan elaborates more on the motivation behind the art piece, saying, “It was something that everyone in the class could have gotten involved in, and something that we did sort of all by ourselves. There wasn’t a teacher forcing us to do it, but [it was] something that we chose to do, and something that I think turned out really nicely.” The sense of ownership the wall provides, not only for those who worked on it but for the senior class as a whole, has made it even more meaningful to the 12th graders, who see it as something created entirely from their shared creativity and effort. Many shared that working on the wall connected them with people they don’t usually talk to, proving the experience to be a bonding moment for the senior class.
The wall is so much more than just a painting; it represents the values, spirit, and memories of the students, not only those who worked on it, but also the student body as a whole. It stands as a tradition that honors the time that the students have spent at EA and their appreciation for all EA has given them and will continue to give them beyond the classroom. It’s a permanent reminder that though the students may leave, the halls, energy, pride, and unity they fostered will echo across the green for years to come.
