BY DAIZEE VILLA 

Class of 2016 President Ruben Ilan received an email from the Snapchat company on August 5 stating that a new geofilter he designed was activated. The Class of 2016 filter immediately set off excitement for the seniors.

Before the excitement and activation, Ilan had to follow many steps in order for the filter to be activated. Snapchat has layouts they give to create a filter, but they take careful consideration into deciding which ones should go up. Although anyone is allowed to submit a design, Snapchat does not take just any filter.

“It took months to get a design that Snapchat thought met their criteria. Almost everyday in the summer I would submit a design hoping it would be approved.” said Ilan.

Since it took so long to be accepted, Ilan began to feel discouraged. He didn’t expect to receive an email on the first day of school saying that the filter he designed had been activated.

“One thing I can take away from this experience is that perseverance really is important. Try, try, try. Don’t give up and shoot for the stars.” said Ilan.

Being in his senior year, Ilan  has come to a realization that this is his last year of high school and the last year together as a class. He wanted the Class of 2016 to be united by something this year and hopes that seniors make the most of it.

“My hope is that this geofilter will remind seniors that every moment that we get to experience matters, so take it all in,” said Ilan.