For generations, Wayland High seniors have run down the Hill on their last day of school. This year, an effort has been made to end the tradition.

Until last year, the Hill Day consisted of seniors camping out on the area above the hill that is located next to the school campus and running down the hill itself in the morning. Then, seniors would run throughout the school while many underclassmen watch and sometimes, cheer them on.

The most controversial piece of the Hill Day was what happens during the camp out on the night before: On numerous occasions, the camp out has been used as an excuse for partying and underage drinking. It is therefore understandable that the school would want to end the Hill Night for the safety of its students.

This year, there will be police officers on the Hill all night to prevent any students from trying to break the rules that are set forth.

There was a lot of confusion throughout the student body as to why the seniors cannot run down the hill on Friday morning. “I understand that Hill Night is just an excuse to party, but running down the hill on our last day of school is not harmful and barely distracts classes. It is a fun way to celebrate our class, and it creates class unity. I am upset that I cannot take part in this tradition,” said one senior class member.

Underclassmen also have opinions about the Hill Day. A sophomore said, “When the seniors run through the halls on their last day of school, it is not just for fun. It is the last time they will go through those halls. It represents the end of their high school career in that they are not afraid and they are carefree. It shows the difference from their first days of freshman year when they fearfully step through the halls hoping not to fall into the wrong classroom.”

Another senior said, “Hill Day is a tradition that even the police officers who will be standing on that field Thursday night participated in when they were seniors at WHS. I just don’t believe that traditions should be killed.”

So the question is: Will anyone still run down the Hill? Some seniors have answered, “Of course; you can’t kill the tradition!” as well as, “If they do, they will be alone,” and “As a class, we have been trying to think of a new tradition to start, but I am not sure we have been too successful with that.”

Underclassmen will be eagerly waiting before the first block on Friday to see what actually happens. Will they run down or not?

*All students quoted in the article requested to remain anonymous