As always, graduation is a time to remember the past.

These are the memories that will remain long after the final bell rings and the graduation caps are thrown into the air.

Some of the memories belong to teachers who have developed relationships with their students over the years, and many of them are linked to sporting events.

“I will always remember those of you asking me to sit with you at any Northwestern event, always going out of your way to say hi when you saw me or you coming to visit me, our jokes and funny exchanges in the halls and in the cafeteria, our heart to heart talks, and the special bond this class has toward one another,” teacher Heather Fugazzotto said.

“My favorite memory from this year was simply the joy and excitement of the first football game at the high school’s new turf field,” said Patricia Mengel, health and physical education teacher. “The seniors, donned in their red, white and blue outfits, and makeup and smiles were nothing short of amazing. It felt so special to be there and celebrate something we’d longed for forever.”

Mengel also reminisced about a cold blustery Sunday afternoon where the seniors took on the juniors in the student council powder puff game.

“The senior class had yet to participate in one and the atmosphere, sportsmanship, and smiles had by everyone is something I’ll always remember,” she said.

“The parents cheered, the girls played, and the boys served as coaches and cheerleaders.”

Yearbook adviser Lissa Opolsky remembered scrambling to make her final deadline, even as Northwestern was closing because of the coronavirus.

“Our deadline for publication is in early March each year. Ironically enough, this year’s deadline was Friday, March 13, the last day we were in the building,” she said.

“We publish and print through Josten’s which was working out of one plant in Tennessee due to COVID restrictions. Normally they operate in a few different areas.

”Students were not in since it was an in-service day but I was frantically finishing some things to get it off to publishing.”

Yearbooks were delivered to each senior on May 15.

Seniors recalled precious moments as well.

“Out of all my years at Northwestern I think my favorite memories would just be sporting events” Carly Fogal said. “That’s when everyone really came together to support one another as we watched our peers succeed which was always fun.”

”It’s hard to pinpoint one memory, but my favorite memories came from my time playing girls basketball,” Gabriella Giese said. “My teammates are my second family, and any time I spent with them was a time to remember.

“I loved our team dinners where we would eat so much food and play Just Dance all night long. They were not only fun, but a great opportunity for team bonding.”

“Hanging out with my friends is always a blast, but I loved dancing with them at the Homecoming dances,” Kayla Tivner said.