The Belles celebrated their senior game on Saturday, Nov. 1 in the Cardinals’ faceoff against rival Lamar High School. During halftime, each senior was announced and honored individually, walking across the field with their parents. This year, there were 18 seniors in the corps.

For senior and Belles Social Treasurer Anjali Kumar, the game marked a moment where the reality of her senior year “sank in.”

“I always felt like senior year was so far away, and now it feels like it came out of nowhere,” Kumar said. “The idea that we are the class that’s graduating is so crazy to me — it feels surreal.”

Ellie Zacharia

Anjali Kumar poses with her parents on the field while holding a bouquet and wearing her senior sash. She walked across the field during the senior game halftime ceremony.

Each senior walked the field wearing a senior sash and holding a bouquet, and the company also created posters using their baby photos. Emotions were elevated throughout the game, and appreciation for the community around them was too.

“I love the connection with the other girls — it really feels like a family,” senior and Co-Colonel Devin Morris said. “It’s very emotional for me because I’ve been on the team for so long, especially alongside the other senior Belles. It’s really sad to know it’s over.”

As the senior Belles took the field, the atmosphere and energy from the team was intense.

“It didn’t really hit me until I was walking down the field,” Kumar said. “I became really sentimental as we started our dance.”

The Belles perform during halftime for every football game, but for senior and Major Vivienne Chen, this dance held more weight.

“As senior night was approaching, it really hit me,” Chen said. “Knowing that I would be dancing for one last time on the football field with the team made me realize that I really am a senior.”

Ellie Zacharia

Vivienne Chen stands on the field in her uniform after the halftime performance. Each officer was announced and recognized.

Being on the team provided more than just a chance to perform for Chen.

“Being in Belles made me a stronger advocate for myself,” Chen said. “I used to be very shy and introverted, but through Belles, I’ve learned to talk to so many different kinds of people and build special connections to last a lifetime.”

Kumar shared Chen’s sentiments, joining Belles her sophomore year and finding a sense of family.

“I’ve cried with them, I’ve laughed, been happy, sad, truly everything,” Kumar said. “They’ve seen every side of me, and I’m forever grateful for it.”

Although the football season came to a close after the Cardinals lost their run in playoffs versus Cy-Falls High School, the Belles’ season isn’t over yet. They start their competition season in December and have their spring show next semester.

“Now that football’s over, we have competition season, and I think that will be really sad too, because it’s our last time competing all together as a team,” Morris said. “But I’m also excited to take a break and relax from everything and just enjoy the rest of senior year, especially once I’m in college.”

Ellie Zacharia

Devin Morris makes an announcement to the Belles through a megaphone while cheering on the sidelines. She served as co-colonel for the team this year.

The end of football season is the first of many lasts for the senior Belles.

“I spend like 98% of my time with the Belles,” Kumar said. “I’m going to feel a little empty when it’s all fully over.”

According to Kumar, senior year is celebrated and cherished through Belles, in order to highlight the importance of their final year.

“Being in Belles is very senior oriented; they make the seniors feel very special,” Kumar said. “We have a senior trip with all the Belles, seniors get a whole dance at the Spring Show and it’s very comforting knowing they’ll do everything to make sure I have the best last year possible.”