As the students of Hillcrest Academy enter the final month of the school year, juniors and seniors are gearing up for their annual Banquet. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, May 4.

New to the celebration this year, pictures will be held at the Joetown Church, 1418 Angle Road in southwest Kalona. Pictures begin at 4:30 p.m. Students will then line up for the drive up around 5:45 at Lower Deer Creek Church near the school. The drive to Upper Deer Creek starts at 6. During this time, family and friends are welcome to stand outside of the church to watch and take more pictures.

The meal begins at 7 p.m. and runs to approximately 8:30. The final stop will be the Kalona YMCA for After Banquet from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. There, students can take part in a cornhole tournament, prize walk, pickleball, and spikeball among other games and activities. A cash cube and snacks will be there as well. This is one of many milestones for the Raven seniors, who are set to graduate on May 25.