Grillin’ and chillin’! WPHS seniors relish the moment with BBQ spread

A group of young people enjoy a picnic at a table laden with food in the foreground, while a larger crowd gathers in the sun-dappled park in the background.

Jun 12 2026

It was a taste of what was and what’s to come!

White Plains High School seniors spent Thursday afternoon savoring the moment as they traded yearbook messages and chowed down at a Senior BBQ that celebrated the journey of the Class of 2026.

Three young men in the foreground are serving themselves from a buffet of watermelon and sandwiches, while in the background, a crowd of people and parked cars are visible under a bright sky.

An outdoor spread featuring hamburgers, veggie burgers, pulled chicken burgers, chips and all the trimmings brought the students together to mingle and celebrate the bonds they forged during their years in the White Plains City School District.

"I think it's really nice that they're doing this barbecue," said senior Julia Vieira, who will attend the University of Rochester in the fall. "They had a little sign-out thing for us so everyone got to sign … It was so cute and it's nice seeing all our friends, the people we grew up with."

While graduation marks the end of one chapter, Julia said the day felt more joyful than bittersweet.

"It's kind of sad, but it's also exciting, because we all know we're gonna go to great places and do good things," she said. "It's a happy celebration, more than a sad one."

Three young people in white shirts smile at the camera in the foreground, with a blurred outdoor gathering in the background.

The festivities capped a day that began with a senior breakfast.

"They had a lot of sweets for us, like munchkins. They even had some coffee, which woke us all a little bit up. They gave out the yearbooks, and we just sat down, talked and ate."

For senior Florencio Rocha, the gathering provided an opportunity to appreciate friendships and memories before classmates head in different directions.

"I think it's a nice moment to say goodbye to everyone," Florencio said. "Everyone's going their own ways. I think everyone should just enjoy themselves today."

Three young women smile at the camera in the foreground, with cars and other people blurred in the background.

He said he also enjoyed the morning breakfast and reflected on a successful school career, adding, “I'll be a first generation going to college."

Having attended White Plains schools since fourth grade, Florencio said the district has been an important part of his life.

"I had a very amazing school year," he said. "Every year was amazing."

As seniors posed for photos, signed copies of The Oracle and shared laughter, the shindig offered a fitting – and filling – sendoff for a class preparing to embark on new adventures while carrying cherished memories with them.

Three smiling young women pose for a photo in front of a blurred green background of trees and grass.

Five young women stand in the foreground holding plates of food, with a blurred background of trees and grass.

A young woman with long dark hair reads a book with a decorative cover in the foreground, while blurred figures and an orange object are visible in the background.

A White Plains Public Schools Senior BBQ menu with food options and a tiger mascot is displayed in the foreground, with a blurred orange surface and green grass in the background.

In the foreground, two women are engaged in conversation outdoors, with one holding a plate of snacks and the other writing, while the background shows a blurred grassy area with trees and other people.

Two teenage boys in the foreground are serving themselves food from a buffet, while a crowd of people and a building are visible in the blurred background.