At Brighton High School, Senior Survivor is more than just a competition–it’s a week filled with energy, teamwork and a shared goal of making a difference. Taking place during the last week of the seniors’ school year, May 18-22, the event aims to bring students together to raise money for important causes while creating memories before graduation.
Organized by Miss Lynette Daig and Mr. Sean Carney, advisors of BHS’s National Honor Society chapter, Senior Survivor has become one of the most meaningful traditions at Brighton. Throughout the week, senior teams compete to raise the most money, all while staying at the school overnight and participating in fun activities and challenges that keep the entire school engaged and involved. Each morning, students eagerly listen to announcements to hear updates on team rankings and the results of the previous day’s competitions.
While Senior Survivor typically includes six to 10 teams, the 2026 event comes with a twist—the introduction of “battle teams.” Although there are seven core teams, four additional teams were selected to “battle” for a spot to compete. The main teams include Team Red, Jackson Bennett and Rory Oginsky; Team Orange, Evan Johnson and Noah Reams; Team Yellow, Riley Shea and Sydney Grisamer; Team Blue, Ella Sata and Kelsey Croucher; Team Purple, Morgan Christopher and Kara Blanck; and Team Black, Isabella Kim and Olivia Nelson. The battle teams include Team Green, Hunter Muzik and James Darmofal; Team Teal, Natalie Sebastian and Samantha Minnick; Team Navy, Jackson Alexander and Bradley Schwab; and Team Ash, Jaxson Tracey and Matthew Bunge.
Even though it is highly competitive, the core of Senior Survivor is its purpose. This year, students are raising money for the Children’s Healing Center and Fund a Life–two organizations that provide critical support for families and children facing serious challenges.
Christopher of Team Purple emphasized the importance of this mission, saying, “We wanted to make an actual difference and leave our mark on the community around us.”
During the week, teams stay at the school after hours, transforming spaces like the library into sleeping areas filled with tents. This unique experience adds to the excitement and brings teams closer together. At night, students participate in mini challenges such as bake-offs and art competitions, creating a fun and memorable environment.
Fundraising is at the center of everything. Teams organize creative events like “dine to donate” nights, sell team merchandise such as colored t-shirts and host activities like game nights and painting events. Students across the school contribute by donating cash or using online Zeffy links, making it easy for everyone to get involved. Kim from Team Black highlighted the effort behind these events.
“Although we had so many good ideas, it took a lot of organizing and setting up calls, meetings and follow-ups with various businesses,” Kim said.
Despite the competition, many students agree that the real goal is supporting the cause. Hunter Muzik from Team Green shared that while winning would be exciting, “it would be better to raise as much as we can as all the teams.”
Christopher echoed this idea, saying, “This event has so much meaning beyond competing… we are raising life-changing money.”
For many participants, the experience becomes even more meaningful when they see where the money goes. Teams have the opportunity to learn about the charities and understand the direct impact of their efforts.
“We got to see what the charities’ plans were for the money,” Christopher said, “and we can see the real-life outcome of all the work we put in.”
The energy throughout the school during Senior Survivor week is unmatched. With graduation just around the corner, seniors bring a mix of excitement, competition and celebration. Daig described the atmosphere as “fun and a bit crazy” as students come together for one final shared experience. Even underclassmen get involved–while it may feel overwhelming at first, many quickly join in by attending events and supporting teams.
Teachers also play an important role in making the event successful. Whether it’s attending fundraising events, donating or offering their classrooms for activities, staff members actively support and participate alongside students throughout the week. Their involvement helps create a strong sense of community and shows that the impact of Senior Survivor extends beyond just the senior class.
Even students who are not directly competing feel connected to the event. As one senior observer shared, being surrounded by friends participating in Senior Survivor and contributing through donations makes the experience feel inclusive and meaningful. It becomes something the entire school can take pride in. And for those directly involved, it quite literally defines the final chapter of their senior year.
“This has changed our senior year,” Christopher said. “We are all filling this time with so much planning, work and new events… but it’s also a bittersweet ending.”
