FERNDALE, Mich. — On Wednesday, September 16, University High School (UHS) seniors and their families came together for Senior Pinning Night, a special evening celebrating how far this year's seniors have come and the exciting future ahead.
The evening's highlight was hearing from three student speakers: Tyren, Angel, and Akiyah, who reflected on their journey and challenged their classmates to carry that momentum into the year ahead. UHS is proud of its seniors and is looking forward to seeing what the Class of 2027 accomplishes this year.
Angel Edwards read an original poem to her classmates. "Be proud of the person you've grown into over the course of your four years, and become the leader you were born to be," Edwards said. "Let your pride shoot through the roof and dance across the stars, because you are more than the world ever wanted you to be."
Tyren urged classmates to stay united through senior year. "Let's support each other. Let's celebrate each other's accomplishments. Let's stay focused on our goals," Tyren said. "And when things get difficult, let's remember that we've already made it through everything that brought us to this moment."
Akiyah Williams closed the program with a poem of her own. "It hurts to leave my youth in the past, but it's time for me to ascend to a future that will last," Williams said. "I step forward as an adult full of grit, ready to build a life where I would never quit."
Senior Pinning Night is an annual UHS tradition that marks the start of the school year for the graduating class, bringing students and families together to reflect on their high school journey and look ahead to graduation.
Ferndale Public Schools holds milestone celebrations like Senior Pinning Night across the district each year to mark the transitions that carry students from one stage of their education to the next. For seniors, the event is a formal send-off into their final year, a chance for families and staff to affirm how much students have grown since ninth grade and to set the tone for the work still ahead before graduation.
District staff says these gatherings matter because they give students public recognition for achievements outside the classroom, strengthen the ties between students, families and staff, and build momentum toward graduation by asking seniors to reflect on their own growth and put that growth into words for their peers, as this year's student speakers did.
About Ferndale Public Schools
Founded in 1887, Ferndale Public Schools serves approximately 3,100 students from the communities of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township and portions of Hazel Park. The district provides a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, offering rigorous academics, innovative learning opportunities, award-winning arts and athletics, career and technical education, and comprehensive social-emotional supports. Recognized for its commitment to equity, inclusion and student-centered learning, Ferndale Public Schools empowers every student to discover their potential, achieve academic success and become engaged members of their communities.
To learn more about Ferndale Public Schools, visit the website. To stay up to date on district news, events and announcements, visit the News page.
