After weeks of anticipation, the Class of 2026 finally has a space all of their own: the senior lounge, or also infamously known as, “the slounge.” With the construction of the new SEC building complete and the older senior “shack” removed, the slounge has moved into its new home, the original senior lounge in the downstairs of the Upper School building. 

In just its first few weeks, the slounge has been full of the buzzing and close knit energy that defines Emery seniors. Known for the “SKA” spirit, seniors have used the space for everything from serious meetings about post-homecoming gathering hosts to the perfect disco outfit for the dance. But beyond the fun and chaos, the lounge also serves as a quiet, collaborative space for academic work.

On a sunny school day during the afternoon, the slounge hums with laughter and senior motion. Two boys stand at the new, gleaming gray ping pong table, paddles clacking as they swing in a fast paced rally, each point marked by shouts and laughter. Along the soft sofas lining the room, clusters of students lean shoulder to shoulder, scrolling through laptops and sharing jokes between bites of snacks. The air is relaxed yet alive.

“It’s a good quiet space,” says senior Ella Totz. “Especially when other seniors are in here, collaboration is fostered, and it’s easy to seek help from them and build collective knowledge on assignments.”

 The slounge also comes with one of seniors’ favorite perks: food. From occasional breakfast tacos in the morning, to frequently stocked snack baskets, the lounge keeps everyone fueled throughout the day. Senior Ella Aruh recalls, “the first day we had the slounge, I walked into school starving because I didn’t have breakfast. Before I knew it, there were stacks of hot potato, egg, and cheese tacos waiting for me.” 

 Beyond snacks and study sessions, the slounge is quickly becoming a hub of senior life as a place to make memories during the final year at Emery. Whether it’s strategizing about spirit week, helping each other study for the upcoming physics test, or just enjoying some downtime with friends, the lounge embodies the pride, energy, and spunk of  the class of 2026.