Rockhurst Sentinel

Media Credit: Brian Roewe Fly, seniors, fly! Students run toward the fountains in the first Flight of the Hawks.

Media Credit: Brian Roewe Senior Austin Marsh has some fun in the fountains after his run.

Tuesday stood as the last day of classes for the Spring 2009 semester. For many seniors, it also stood as their final walk to class quite possibly for the rest of their lives.

But with this end came a new beginning in the form of a new Rockhurst senior tradition.

They called it the “Flight of the Hawks.”

It all began with two seniors talking about college traditions. Kevin Becvar and Jon Bell discussed one day about all the rituals they had viewed at other schools they had visited.

Before they knew it, they had an idea that Rockhurst could call all its own. And the “Flight of the Hawks” was born.

“I always thought it’d be cool ... something that’d be fun that seniors could look forward to,” explained Becvar.

“We just thought it’d be awesome,” said Bell.

Around noon on Tuesday, 30-plus senior Hawks gathered along the grassy knoll behind Conway Hall. From this landing site, they launched into their inaugural flight.

“I wasn’t really prepared for this. I’m feeling a little nervous,” said Austin Marsh before the run. “I’m going to be wet for the rest of the day, but I think it’s going to be a good tradition ... it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Led by school mascot The Hawk, the “Flight” sent seniors running across the Quad toward the Bell Tower and the famous Rockhurst fountains. All the while chanting “Class of ‘09, Class of ‘09” the joyous students pranced and danced through the fountains on a warm spring day.

“It was amazing, just to finish up the year with this new tradition. I love it,” said Manuel Macias.

“It was awesome! I had a blast!” stated Steven Garcia. 

But the seniors weren’t the only ones on the Quad. Groups of students, faculty and administration gathered as they watched and cheered on the flying seniors.

“It was really fun to see the campus community come together and watch it,” said Jacqueline Summers. 

While the inaugural “Flight of the Hawks” saw success, the key to any tradition still stands in its lasting qualities. Not ready for the “Flight” to be a one time thing, Becvar and Bell have already begun talking with juniors to carry on the newest Rockhurst tradition.

So from the class of ‘09 to the class of ‘10, there’s one main message: study hard, play harder and help keep the “Flight of the Hawks” crossing the Quad for many years to come.

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