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Image of Senior Lounge, picture provided by Sofia S
By: Maxi S.
The transition from junior to senior year is always a challenge. It’s filled with extra worries, anxiety, countless late nights of studying, and revising cumulatives and summatives to improve predicted grades (PGs). While every class faces this task, students shouldn’t have to suffer more than necessary.
This is why the idea of a senior lounge — a place where seniors can relax and destress — is so valued. A space like this gives the graduating class a place they can personalize and make their own. On paper, it sounds ideal. But in practice, has it lived up to expectations?
“No,” says Grade 12 Travis H when asked if the lounge feels like a space for seniors. “I can’t feel any sense of belonging. It doesn’t feel like a space for seniors.” Another Grade 12 student commenting on this also reiterated this belief, saying it “hasn’t fully lived up to what I thought it would be.”
Many students expressed disappointment that the lounge lacks the amenities they expected. Drinks and cup noodles, which seniors believed would be available this year, have not been provided. Grade 12 Ethan Z said he expected to have “drinks and cup noodles throughout the year as it was planned.” Reflecting on the current state of the lounge, he added that it now has “nothing left in there” and is simply “a space with no style.”
Other students shared similar feelings, though some acknowledged the positives. One student noted that “the best part is the open space—it’s a nice place to hang out,” but admitted that the “biggest disappointment is definitely not having food or drinks anymore.” Suggestions for improvement ranged from adding furniture and games to simply bringing back the promised snacks and drinks.
Travis H gave a more critical assessment when asked for an overall rating, giving the lounge 0/10. He reiterated at his earlier point that it does not feel “like a place for seniors” at all. His message was clear: without the basic expectations being met — even something as simple as restocking noodles and drinks or fixing the ice machine — the lounge cannot live up to its name.
The Grade 12 General Council President, Raaghav A., offered a more measured view, balancing student frustrations with practical context.
“At the beginning of the year, with the addition of the snack corner and drinks, there was a pretty set expectation that these features would stay. The expectations haven’t been lived up to in that way, but there isn’t much that we as the student council can do as of now.”
Despite the setbacks, Raaghav pointed out some positives.
“I think the addition of the fridge was great, as well as our own microwave, so we don’t need to go too far to heat food. A disappointment may be the removal of the ping pong table. It was originally just a senior prank from last year that wasn’t approved to stay, so it was expected to go.”
When asked about potential improvements, he suggested, “Adding one or two giant displays/TVs could be nice for streaming games/events.”.
He also addressed the frustration around the removed snacks and drinks, offering reassurance about ongoing discussions with the administration:
“I somewhat agree on that. The luxuries of the ramen and drinks were great at the beginning of the year, and to have that taken away is pretty disappointing from an outsider’s view. What I will say is that this stuff is a preview of what is to come; once everything gets sorted with admin and we hopefully get approval, the snack stock can be back.”
Ultimately, Raaghav believes it’s too soon to judge the lounge fully.
“I think it’s too early to say whether the lounge has achieved everything it’s ‘supposed’ to; there’s still a lot of time, and there isn’t really much of a basis to say whether it’s a hit or miss yet.”
While many seniors have voiced their frustrations, the school administration has provided important context on how the current situation came to be. According to Ms. Eileen, the Secondary Assistant Principal, the development of the lounge involved several discussions with students about potential ideas and improvements.
“The group was asked to follow up with the appropriate people on campus—regarding budget restrictions, rules about food, use of personal property in case of damage, and the volume level of games—and come up with a finalized plan to approve,” she explained.
However, some confusion arose during the process.
“Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication, and some things were done that weren’t permissible and needed to be removed,” Ms. Eileen clarified. “The last that was communicated with me was they were still working through some of the things that may be allowed so they can be added.”
Ms. Eileen emphasized that the school’s goal remains to provide students with a comfortable and enjoyable space — but within legal and procedural limits.
“We want you to have a great lounge, a place that’s just for you to relax, enjoy and have fun,” she said. “But we have to do it the right way that follows the laws, proper budgetary procedures, and protects personal property.”
She also clarified one of the main sources of confusion: food and drinks were never formally promised but rather proposed for review.
“We didn’t promise food or drink — we asked the committee to look into it with facilities,” Ms. Eileen explained. “We were fine with having them if it didn’t violate any rules. Unfortunately, food and ice in schools have very strict laws and it’s not allowed. That’s a government rule, not an AISG one.”
Additionally, Ms. Eileen noted that there were budget considerations that limited what could be implemented.
The school clarified that the Senior Lounge is a privilege offered to Grade 12 students as part of AISG’s commitment to student well-being. It is meant to serve as a calm and social space for seniors.
Taken together, these perspectives help paint a fuller picture of the Senior Lounge’s story. While many seniors wish for more amenities and comfort, the administration’s explanation highlights the legal, procedural, and financial realities behind such decisions. The lounge remains a work in progress — one that aims to balance student desires with the regulations that ensure safety, fairness, and sustainability for everyone on campus.
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