Looking Ahead: Q&A With The 2026 Grad Committee

Photo Credit: Adelaide Guan

As this school year comes to a close and graduating students set their sights on the next chapter, the class of 2026’s preparations have already begun. Next year’s Grad Committee (Grad Comm) is made up of members John Deng (11), Samantha Lee (11), Taylor Liu (11), and Madi Wong (11). Ronik Khanna (11) will lead the committee as Grad Chair.

From bringing back classic events to formulating new proposals, the committee is already thinking ahead. “There has been talk about grad movie night and the traditional events like grad sunrise [and] grad breakfast,” said Lee. 

“Our main new idea we want to incorporate is for sure senior movie nights,” Khanna added. The grad chair additionally aims to prioritize the student body’s feedback and hopes to ensure every grade 12 student gives their input.

“It's our goal to make the class of 2026 have an amazing year, and to do so, we will be taking feedback and ideas from everyone,” Khanna said. He explained that the committee plans to use surveys and announce times when members can talk to students, “as well as holding an idea box in one of the sponsors' rooms to encourage good ideas!”

The committee’s teacher sponsors will be Ms. T. Yip (Science) and Mr. M. Lenko (Mathematics).

Ms. Yip has been a sponsor for Grad Comm since 2019, playing a major role behind the scenes. “She is so welcoming, and I trust that she will greatly contribute to us having a great grad year,” said Lee. “I like how she takes the time to notice our individual strengths and weaknesses.”

Mr. Lenko is stepping up for his first year with Grad Comm, following in the footsteps of longtime sponsor Ms. B. Panesar (English). When asked how he feels about working with the new sponsor, Khanna said, “Absolutely amazing. I have a very fond connection with Mr. Lenko.”

A major role of the Grad Comm is fundraising in order to execute their events. Khanna and Lee shared that after observing the success of the 2025 Grad Comm’s bubble tea sale, they plan to bring it back next year. “However, we will also be searching for new fundraisers,” Khanna added.

As new Grad Comm members have been trained by the 2025 committee, next year’s grade 12s can be assured that they will be in strong hands. 

“[The 2025 Grad Comm has] been really helpful in the sense that they let us know what worked well and what didn’t last year and this year,” Lee said. “They also helped us at the start with how we should structure our meetings and establish our roles.”

Khanna added that the graduating members had been helpful in explaining effective fundraising strategies and the processes behind events.

The Grad Committee aims to do a few things differently next year, including focusing on increasing grade-wide participation. “We hope to have events and spirit days that will include everyone, even the people who don’t normally participate,” said Lee. “This will solidify a positive and comfortable grad year for everyone.”

The committee members’ outlook for the year is hopeful. “I’m a little nervous about meeting everyone’s expectations with this big responsibility,” said Lee. “But our grad committee works well together and is very excited about next year.”

Khanna, on the other hand, does not feel nervous stepping into his role and believes the committee “will do an exceptional job.” When asked to describe the 2026 grad season in one word, the grad chair replied, “Phenomenal.”