While senior graduation is usually a time of celebration, seeing the class of 2024 leave Upper Campus will be bittersweet for some.

After graduating, several seniors will no longer have the opportunity to say hi to – or ignore – their younger siblings in the hallways. Senior Alex Facelo is saying goodbye to her brother, eighth grader Tristan, while Colin Ternus is saying goodbye to his eighth-grade brother Davin. Kaelyn and her ninth grade sister Devyn Smith will separate, and Brandon and Kayden Ge will no longer play on the same varsity basketball team.

In addition, Senior Bridget Rees is leaving sophomore Max Rees behind, while Makena and the ninth-grade brother Ellis Matula won’t see each other on campus anymore. Autumn and her seventh grade brother Julian Porter-Schulz, who both starred in the spring musical “Matilda,” won’t have any opportunities to perform together anytime soon, and Alex Randall will be at college next year while his sister Mia finishes high school at Upper Campus.

The Smith sisters share a close bond with each other, spending time together whenever possible.

“We’re both pretty busy, but…[still] try to hang out and watch movies when we can,” Devyn said.

Kaelyn will be attending Brigham Young University in Utah, which is two hours away from California by plane. Although the nearly 800-mile distance may pose a large barrier in the relationship between the two, it is clear that significant efforts will be made to keep the sisterhood bond intact and glowing.

“Things will be really different, because she has been such a big part of my life,” Devyn said. “We plan on visiting and calling each other often.”

Although Devyn will be unable to see her sister as often as before, each memorable conversation and moment they share will live on in her heart. In particular, Kaelyn’s advice has had a great impact on Devyn’s character.

“She told me to ‘enjoy every moment’ because it’s not going to last; high school is going to go by very quickly,” Devyn said. “She also told me to give things time, and that everything will work out.”

Colin will attend Purdue University, leaving his brother Davin at Pinewood. Davin said his brother has had a big impact on him.

“I will certainly miss my brother when he leaves… driving with him to school introduced me to so much great music that inspired me to get better and better at drumming,” Davin said.

In addition to developing his music taste, Davin credits Colin with opening his eyes to the opportunities at Pinewood waiting for him as he enters high school.

“My brother has taught me to do the most I can with my time at Pinewood, signing up for clubs and going to events. I am certainly going to be joining the robotics team next year mostly because of his love for the program,” Davin said.

Brandon Ge will be attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. His brother Kayden has been a fan of Pinewood since childhood, he was glad that he had gotten into his target school.

“We watched their basketball growing up,” Kayden said, “It’s a nice full-circle moment.”

Kayden and Brandon were like any other sibling duo in the past, as they’ve had their highs and lows.

“I’d say we used to have a love-hate relationship before…we’ve gotten a lot closer this year because of [Brandon’s] free time opening up,” Kayden said. “We have this unconditional love…we’ve become pretty good friends.”

This strengthened bond is a result of everyday morning drives to school, as well as more time spent together on both the football field and basketball court. The brothers’ combined love for sports has pushed them, specifically Kayden, to become more driven individuals.

“I am [inspired by Brandon’s] presence,” Kayden said. “I would like to follow in his footsteps, as his success [in sports] is a big motivation for me. I have big shoes to fill as he passes down the torch.”