In Their Words: Bellaire Seniors Share Final Thoughts

On a warm spring afternoon filled with caps, cords, and camera flashes, the Bellaire High School Class of 2025 took the final steps of their high school journey across the stage. With proud families and a sea of red robes, the ceremony celebrated the beginning of a new chapter.

Bellaire’s graduates are heading in every direction, united by the experiences that shaped them here. Four spotlighted students from the Class of 2025 share their most cherished memories at Bellaire and their take on decorating graduation caps.  

Kate Steinbach in her A&M shirt. (Photo provided by Kate Steinbach) 

Kate Steinbach’s favorite tradition was the “senior sunrise at the beginning of the year.” Watching the sun rise from the rooftops of Bellaire, saw this long-lived tradition as “a fun way to start off the year with all [her] friends.” Marking the nearing end of high school, the sunrise celebrates the prelude of a new journey. Kate’s path is leading her to study business at Texas A&M where she is excited to “meet so many new people” at a large yet close-knit community. Kate reminds underclassmen that “grades aren’t everything” and to “be kind” even under the pressure of college admissions becoming increasingly competitive. 

Luke Wang in his gown and cap after the graduation ceremony. (Photo provided by Luke Wang) 

Mostly known for his goofy nature and dynamic art-work, student-council president Luke Wang encourages underclassmen to “have as much fun as [you] can” while also being mindful of how your actions now are “helping you be the person that you want to be tomorrow.” Capturing the complexity of leaving high school behind and entering adulthood, Luke is excited to “learn more about the world” while also nervous to have “real responsibilities” that come with being a college student away from home. As Luke reminisces the serenity of the Yellowstone wilderness, if he could go back in time, he would relive the “one-week field trip to Yellowstone that IB [International Baccalaureate] coordinator Ms. [Ann] Linsley took [him] and 24 IB classmates on.” Reconnecting with nature, Luke “enjoyed a much needed break” from the chaos of balancing college applications with IB coursework. 

Audrey Han posing with her “pretty, educated, & graduated” cap. (Photo provided by Audrey Han) 

A fun and somewhat messy way seniors celebrate the start of a new chapter of their lives is decorating their graduation caps. Audrey Han knew she wanted a design with “white, pink, and pink-ish orange” to represent her next 4 years at UT Austin. Audrey’s cap design was very “DIY and Pinterest-based,” so she “bought fake flowers from Michaels and went to work with a hot glue gun, scissors, and pearls.” She added the words “pretty, educated & graduated” which, according to her friends, “suited [her] personality” perfectly. 

Vivian Zhang posing with her BTS-inspired cap. (Photo provided by Vivian Zhang) 

    
A devoted BTS fan, Vivian Zhang’s graduation cap reflects the role of the South Korean band in her high school journey. Their “uplifting lyrics and melody” helped Vivian navigate the “ups and downs of high school.” Vivian’s cap features the iconic BTS symbol of two vertical trapezoids and the words “Life Goes On,” which “was one of [her] favorite” songs by BTS. 

As we say goodbye and good luck to Bellaire’s newly graduated seniors, we are proud and honored to have been a part of their journeys.