the
PHARCYDE
THE BENJAMIN SCHOOL NEWSPAPER
@thepharcyde_tbs
4875 Grandiflora Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
17 May 2024
@thepharcyde_tbs
Volume 45
Issue 7
A Picture Perfect Ending: Goodbye, Class of 2024!
Speeches, Songs Signal Senior Sendoff Finley Strauss Staff Writer “Grade nine: watch and learn. It will happen,” were some of the first words Head of School Mr. Carr said on May 3rd for the seniors final assembly. After this, seniors walked in and sat in their advisory seats on their bleachers for the last time. Hudson Byrne, past Student-Body Vice-President, then did the pledge for the last time with a sense of nostalgia and remembrance in the air. All faculty who spoke echoed the idea that seniors will always have a spot at Benjamin. “As I've had the opportunity to share lunch with you over the course of this year you have set an incredible tone. As a school we are only as good as the senior class. I want to thank you for your leadership and your passion for being a Buccaneer and what that means and the remarkable results we’ve had from your class in every aspect of school life. We deeply appreciate your dedication to the work you have done and to the institution and know we can count on you coming back. You are part of the Benjamin community forever and we look to you to go do incredible things now,” said Mr. Faus. The senior class of 2024 are among the most resilient at Benjamin. After overcoming the pandemic they are certainly set for a strong future. “When I think of the class of 2024 I think of the fall of 2020 where most of you started here. When I think of 2020 I mostly think of the JV football team and although some students might not have continued playing through their school career, what I remember is that was the first time we were trying to play sports during COVID. The fact that any of you kept playing as the world evolved and we
{the school} got bigger is incredible. Thank you for your cheer that you bring to Benjamin everyday. There is always room for you here and we want to know over time what direction you take. Thank someone now or in 15 years. Come and visit,” said Mr. Carr. “Another turning point. Time grabs you by the wrist and there you go” were some of the words Nate Anderson and David Frear sang for everyone after the wise speeches from heads of school Mr. Faus and Mr. Carr. Anderson and Frear sang Good Riddance by Green Day. To Anderson, “This song is a bittersweet tune looking back on the past. I think it was a perfect choice for the seniors on their last day.” Following this, depparting teachers Mrs. Austin, Ms. Gustafson, Mrs. Goldberg, and Mrs. Priola shared some of their memories, their gratitude, and advice for the class of 2024. As Ms. Gustafson put it “change, although inevitable at times, can be glorious just like now.” Mrs. Priola and Mrs. Austin echoed similar sentiments in their appreciation for Ben-
jamin and their hopes for the class of 2024. Mrs. Goldberg had seniors close their eyes and picture individuals who made their time at Benjamin incredible and how they feel about that. Finally, the chorus led by Mrs. Austin sang the alma mater with all students loudly joining in. This was Benjamin theater resident Xan Blount’s last performance for the school and the last time the seniors would sing the Alma Mater. Then all students and faculty formed a tunnel and hugged the seniors to commemorate the day and congratulate them.
Daring Seniors marked the last day of classes by jumping into the lake for an early-afternoon splash across campus. Not even the strong odors of the murky waters could diminish the excitement and joy that permeated the crowds of swimmers and on-lookers.
Last Lake Day Plunge Reid Waxman Sports Editor
For students and faculty, it was an emotional day representing moving forward and celebrating the past, especially for departing Academic Dean Mrs. Guzman.
Students David Frear and Nate Andersen performed “Good Riddance” by Green Day to commemorate the seniors' time at Benjamin. Photo by Sawyer LeFevre.
The school continues the annual tradition of the senior lake jump on Friday, May 3rd. However, seniors expressed mixed feelings about participating in the tradition. The school has held the lake jump since the 2006-07 school year. The first was a senior prank; since then, the event has become a Benjamin tradition. Despite the storied tradition of the lake jump, this year's seniors did not agree on their participation, primarily because of concerns over the lake’s cleanliness. For instance, senior Hudson Byrne participated in the lake jump. “I have been looking forward to the lake jump since I came to this school. It looked so fun, with all of the funny life jackets and the floaties, and I finally got to experience that,” said Byrne.
Similarly, senior Meriel Smith jumped in the lake but took some precautions to protect himself from what she believes is unsafe water. “I had a big floatie because I did not want to get wet. The water looked very gross, but I did not want to miss out on an opportunity like this,” Smith explained. With the unsafeness, Mrs. Kaitlyn Balard tested the water earlier in the month. “We did a water quality test, and we tested the ten factors that go into the score of the lake. We did it three times since I teach three APES classes. They split up into groups and find out the tests on their own,” Ballard explained. “Overall, it was seen at around a score of 70 or 71 out of 100, which goes to the scale of ‘good quality.’’ It is safe to say that the administration's hard work made this year’s lake jump as successful as those of years past.