For MVHS athletes, senior night is more than just a farewell — it’s a celebration of gratitude, growth and the bonds with their teammates built through seasons of hard work and dedication. To sophomore and cross country runner Miranda Hsu, organizing senior night was an opportunity to give back and show appreciation to the seniors who guided her through her first seasons in cross country.
Hsu, who first started cross country in eighth grade, did not know anyone when she initially joined the team. However, the seniors quickly created a welcoming environment, making her feel included at every practice and meet. Through various team bondings, including Secret Santa and taking pictures at practices, Hsu notes that the cross country team is particularly close this year, which has strengthened her bond with the seniors.
To thank the seniors for all their hard work, Hsu gave a heartfelt speech at the cross country banquet. She worked to make the special night an unforgettable experience, preparing senior posters personalized with slogans and candy garlands.
“They’ve been here longer than us and they know what they’re doing,” Hsu said. “So showing thanks to them and how they’ve been really helpful for the past few years shows how grateful we are that they’re there.”
Like Hsu, senior and Varsity Boys Water Polo player Eric Tang built strong bonds with his team. To Tang, water polo is truly special for its group dynamics, in contrast to the individualistic nature of other sports like badminton that he has previously played. To thank the seniors at the team’s senior night, Tang explains that team members make a human bridge for the seniors to run through. Afterward, members present speeches, hats and posters for the seniors, making them feel seen and valued.
This year, Tang received recognition during senior night as one of the seniors on the water polo team. To him, senior night was a reflection of the meaningful connections he had formed with other teammates over the years.
“I’ve built this relationship with underclassmen for three years, and seeing how they feel I’ve impacted them or helped them — it was pretty impactful,” Tang said. “I don’t know how I’ve impacted them, right? I don’t know what they’re thinking, and then when they say it, it’s kind of nice.”
As head coach of Hsu’s cross country team, Kirk Flatow often emphasizes the importance of gratitude to his athletes, explaining that taking the time to express gratitude helps people realize the gifts they have been given in their lives. He works to make giving thanks a habit, with his athletes having the goal of thanking at least one volunteer after every meet.
To spread awareness of gratitude and more to the broader community, Flatow has held multiple CharacterLab sessions focused on positive psychology. He explains that expressing gratitude often benefits the giver more than the receiver, as it prompts the giver to reflect on and appreciate the positive aspects of their life. To Flatow, gratitude is one of the most impactful qualities a student athlete could have.
“It’s easier to deal with the frustrations that come with any athletic endeavor,” Flatow said. “No athlete goes through life and never has roadblocks. So if we as athletes take the time to express gratitude, it reinforces the fact that we’ve got a support system and we have teammates, coaches and other people in our lives. They’re going to help us get through those hard parts. We’re not in it alone, and this helps us get through the inevitable disappointments.”
Since he started emphasizing gratitude, Flatow has noticed many changes in his athletes’ attitudes and mindsets. He recalls a memorable moment when a Girls Cross Country captain summarized his CharacterLab lesson perfectly while thanking an assistant coach, filling him with pride and appreciation for his athletes. Hsu notices similar dynamics within the team, seeing members lift each other up, especially if somebody has a bad race. Reflecting on the experience of senior night, Flatow says he feels grateful for the bonds his athletes have formed, cherishing the heartfelt gratitude underclassmen expressed to the seniors.
While Flatow reflects on the gratitude of senior night, Tang experienced it firsthand during his team’s water polo senior night filled with bittersweet memories. Despite the loss against Milpitas High School, having fun with his teammates one final time made the day worth it to Tang. Participating in the senior night traditions he had previously helped organize for others made Tang reflect on his water polo journey.
“Senior night is a big reflection point for me,” Tang said. “It’s really sad because it’s the last time you’re ever going to play at the pool you’ve been at for four years. That hits you, and it sinks in that I’m never going to play at this pool again. It’s not really a wake-up call, but rather an alarm that’s like, ‘Wow, I’m almost done with my high school career.’”
For Flatow, seeing his students exercise the lessons he has taught means more than just the moments of gratitude he has personally received. He says gestures toward other people feel like an act of gratitude toward him, as his students show growth and understanding of his teachings. Flatow takes pride in seeing his cross country athletes internalize his lessons and hopes the broader MVHS community remains grateful in their everyday lives.
“Our lives aren’t perfect,” Flatow said. “The world doesn’t set up the way we want to all the time, and it’s easy to focus on the negatives and focus on the problems and go into a downward spiral. But spending some time being grateful and thinking about what we’re grateful for helps us realize that even in the worst times, we still have things in our lives that are good and positive.”
