Senior Photo Display Returns in New Location

By: Stephanie Akinfolarin '25

To honor senior growth, the Library staff have continued the beloved Cate tradition of displaying first and fourth-year photos on the wall in Booth Dining Commons, a new location chosen to ensure more students can see and appreciate the transformation.

"It used to be in the Johnson Library," says the Head Librarian and senior Maggie Albrecht. They also add, "I like this tradition as we can showcase the transformation of the seniors. At first, I didn't like the new location in Booth, but I'm starting to appreciate it more because more people can see and appreciate it."

Dr. Park, a librarian who previously worked at Cate School for 19 years, explains that this tradition is decades old. It's a way for the community to see how much students have grown, not just in appearance but also in confidence.

"It took about 45 mins to put everything together," Chloe Chen, a current Junior and member of the student librarian staff, explains. She also shared that it's one of her favorite senior-related traditions, and even though the setup took only 45 minutes, the impact is lasting.

Although new to the process this year, Faculty Library staff member Alesia Aceves took the lead in organizing the display and approached curating the wall with thought and care. She explained, "It's my first year, so I haven't seen the senior photos in the past, but I know it is a tradition here at Cate that many people enjoy." She explains, "That is also part of why I wanted to showcase the photos in Booth, but it's also because the original spot is currently occupied."

Ms. Aceves intentionally made the photo of the seniors now significantly bigger than the first-year photos, partly because she "didn't want to embarrass people too much, but also because I think it's more impactful for people to see now."

First- and fourth-year student wall displays are a great reminder of how time and people have changed during their Cate journey. As the tradition continues in a new location, it invites students and faculty members alike to pause, reflect, and take notice.