Throwing surprise bed-decorating parties for seniors to mark their commitment to college may be new, but it has quickly become a beloved end-of-year tradition for RHS upperclassmen.

The bedroom-decorating trend started around 2020, when seniors were stuck at home, missing out on in-person celebrations because of Covid-19 restrictions. Thanks to sneaky friends and family, surprised students are now finding their bedrooms decked out with festive, personalized displays, featuring balloons, streamers, snacks and other swag in the colors of the colleges to which the soon-to-be grads have recently committed.

“While my friend was out, the hockey team went to her house and decorated her bed with Syracuse merch, balloons and colors,” freshman Charna Torres said. “When she walked in, she literally screamed. It was a good surprise.”

Added senior Brett Shuster, who recently committed to Ohio State, “When I first saw my bed party, I was super shocked. It looked so good, and I was so grateful for my friends doing this for me.”

Once the decorated bedrooms are revealed, they become the perfect background for social media pics and posts where the honorees typically pose on their beds surrounded by their college-inspired décor, friends and family.

“It’s one of the most fun parts of senior year,” said senior Jaclyn Mars, who recently committed to Syracuse. “You get to be surprised and take cute pictures, and it’s fun seeing how extra your friends go with decorations. It makes you feel so loved.”

While seniors are excited for what’s ahead, this bedroom-decorating trend also allows them to reflect and say goodbye to their hometown friends and family.

The best send-offs don’t always happen on a stage. Sometimes, they happens right at home, one decorated bed at a time.