It’s that time of year again. As summer fades and the days of school are starting, the excitement of a new year fills the air. Students in the Whitewater Unified School District are going back to Washington, Lincoln and Lakeview Elementary Schools, Whitewater Middle and Whitewater High. 

“Back when I was a kid, we used to get a breakfast we only got once a year,” Joshua Evans, 33, gave a brief rundown on what happened on the first day of school. 

“My mom used to take these silly photos of what grade we were in and what we wanted to be when we grew up. Times have changed,” Evans added. 

“But it’s not about just about getting free food or smiling for the camera, it’s about looking back in time to as we call it ‘the good times.’” 

Traditions have come and go throughout the years, but the latest tradition is to send off your child with a picture saying their age, grade and what they want to be when they grow up. 

Some people can’t believe they have them since we have phones and we are able to save them on there. But the best way is always by having that physical copy of photos or better yet, a yearbook.

“I can’t believe I still have these photos,” Anna Heddinger said. 

Most people tend to throw away their old photos because they think they can put it on their phones or they don’t look good in them. But for Anna, these were the best years of her life. 

“I love looking back in time where things were easy. Getting our schedules, looking to see if we have our best friends in our classes.”

But now we must face it and learn that it’s time to grow up, but it’s always a good thing to look back and continue those traditions. 

As these traditions continue to grow and be brought onto other generations, they are not only a way to celebrate, but it’s the start of a new academic year but also strengthen the bonds within the school community.

For students, parents and educators, these traditions are just a reminder that the school year is not just about getting good academics but it’s also about coming together as a community to support and uplift one another.