Even though high school can feel like a whirlwind of change, some bonds endure the test of time. In spite of academic pressures and ever-revolving social circles surrounding them, these relationships have only grown stronger from freshman to senior year.
Ayla Karadogan, Adeline Sesnon, and Antonia Mille
Seniors Ayla Karadogan, Adeline Sesnon, and Antonia Mille’s friendship, which began in eighth grade, has only grown stronger throughout high school. “There’s just an overwhelming amount of openness. There’s no shame, it’s a very safe space,” Sesnon said.
Their friendship relies on honest communication and the freedom to maintain friendships outside the trio to ensure no one ever feels left out. “So many people are so alone in their friend groups. I’ve never felt that way,” Mille said.
As they look ahead to college, they remain confident in their friendship. “We’re going to be in totally different places, but it’ll work out,” Karadogan said.
Chelsea Sandoval, Kendra Mancia, and Giselle Martinez
Seniors Chelsea Sandoval, Kendra Mancia, and Giselle Martinez have been inseparable since elementary school. Their friendship began in fourth grade when they first met at a park, and they’ve become even more connected from Garfield Community Middle School to senior year. “We only knew each other when we came to M-A since nobody else went to our middle school,” Sandoval said. This shared experience of navigating an unfamiliar environment cemented their friendship early on.
Throughout the years, they’ve managed to avoid major drama by not taking things too seriously. “We laugh about things instead of letting them get to us,” Martinez said, noting that they never let small disagreements escalate into bigger issues. Unlike many high school friendships that can be intense and prone to conflict, theirs has thrived on mutual respect and personal boundaries, which keeps them close without the complications that often strain other groups.
“We have enough boundaries with each other to not be so involved in each other’s lives,” Mancia said. Their ability to give one another space yet remain deeply connected sets their friendship apart.
As the trio prepares for life beyond high school, they’re confident their bond will remain just as strong. “We will definitely be calling each other all the time, and our parents know each other so we can all spend holidays together,” Martinez said.
Claire Chang, Isabella Kha, and Heidi Chen
Seniors Claire Chang, Isabella Kha, and Heidi Chen became friends in their freshman-year Mandarin class, a subject they’ve taken together for all four years of high school.
Their bond has deepened through shared experiences, including growing up in Asian households, which they describe as a point of connection in a school with fewer Asian students. “It was nice to have people who understood similar cultural experiences—we all relate to the same pressures from our parents,” Kha said.
The three friends also shared academic experiences, having many of the same teachers and taking many of the same classes. “We bonded over homework and shared educational goals,” Chen said.
The trio has been able to navigate their way through high school without any major conflicts thanks to their open communication and emotional maturity. “We’ve never had any big fights–it helps to have a third person to mediate when things get tense,” Chang said. However, they did acknowledge that being in a group of three, there can be moments of feeling left out. “You see all these posts about the duo inside the trio, and it’s hard to think about the stuff you are being excluded from, but it is important to have other things to do individually,” Chang said.
Looking ahead, the friends are committed to staying connected in college through regular check-ins and meet-ups during breaks. “Even when we’re busy with our own lives, putting in daily effort, like texting or FaceTiming, will help keep our friendship strong,” Chen said.
