Four years of notes, homework assignments, worksheets, and binders rained down from the second-floor balcony at West Chicago Community High School as the Class of 2026 celebrated one of the school’s longest-running senior traditions: the paper drop.

Crowds of seniors packed the stairwell outside Door 1 carrying overflowing backpacks, baskets, and folders filled with papers collected throughout their high school careers. As the final bell rang, papers flew through the air while students cheered, recorded videos on their phones, and celebrated the end of their final days at WEGO.

Seniors began gathering near the stairwell about 10 minutes before the official start of the paper drop. As more students arrived carrying backpacks, binders, and stacks of old assignments, the balcony quickly filled with seniors hoping to participate in one of the school’s final traditions before graduation.

While waiting for the first bell to ring, a few papers drifted over the railing early before students were told to wait for the official countdown. Most seniors, including Josh Kotke, who stood alongside classmates Max Baranskyy, Leo Volk, and AJ Rotger, waited along the stairwell for the second bell before joining the tradition.

Staff members inside the Learning Resource Center (LRC) paused near the windows to watch papers rain down from the second-floor balcony. The annual tradition drew the attention of teachers and staff members as seniors celebrated one of their final moments at WEGO together before graduation.

Pep Club adviser Elizabeth Mastroianni uses a bullhorn to provide students with instructions and begin the countdown signaling the start of the paper drop. As excitement built throughout the crowd, seniors packed shoulder-to-shoulder along the second-floor balcony waiting for the final bell.

Papers fly through the air as seniors celebrate one of their final traditions at WEGO. Along with worksheets and notebooks, students also tossed binders, folders, and school supplies over the railing as classmates recorded the moment on their phones.

Senior Matthew Gomez came prepared with an entire basket full of old papers, which he emptied over the second-floor railing as classmates cheered and recorded the moment on their phones.

A student records seniors exiting the building after the paper drop concludes. Following the tradition, seniors are typically directed out of Door 1 and toward Memorial Stadium, where they gather with classmates and pick up graduation yard signs before leaving campus.

After the celebration concluded, teachers and staff members began clearing pathways through the piles of paper left behind in the hallway. Custodians and staff members typically begin cleanup almost immediately following the annual tradition.

Piles of worksheets, notes, and old assignments remain scattered across the floor after the celebration concludes. Although the cleanup only takes a short time, the tradition marks one of the final shared moments for the Class of 2026 before graduation.