Seniors devastated as Covid-19 affects end-of-year festivities

by Amanda Nashalsky, Editor-in-Chief

The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.

Among all the craziness that occurs with a worldwide pandemic, schools have closed, local businesses have shut down, and people are recommended to stay six feet away from everyone else. Not only does this affect the economy and these businesses, but the high school seniors who have been working towards a graduation for the past twelve years. As Hilliard City Schools is doing their best to make the most of this unusual situation, students are still devastated by the news and are trying their best to remain positive.

Aside from just being upset about an online graduation, Tyler Graham (12) “was really hyped up for senior citizen day and other end of year stuff.” He also stated that if he was told a couple months ago that he “would be spending [his] last few months of school stuck at home” that he “would have never believed” it. Many seniors take the simple traditions such as senior citizen day for granted, yet when it is taken away they begin to realize what they’re missing out on. Another student, Grace Dallas (12), feels that it “really stinks that all of us seniors are going to miss out on events we’ve been waiting for for years.” She also highlighted that some of the activities she is upset to miss are her “senior prom and senior tag.” 

On top of all of the fun senior festivities, this time has become extremely difficult for the seniors participating in a spring sport. As all of the other sports seasons were still able to play out the season and wrap it up with a huge senior night celebration, these spring sport athletes no longer get this luxury. One of Hilliard Bradley’s four year varsity softball players, Macie LoParo (12), finds this to be a difficult time because she has “spent four years working towards [her] senior year” and “was excited for all [her] hard work to pay off and have the recognition every senior would normally get.” Many of the other athletes feel the same, as they are missing out on their last chance to represent their school. Macie remains positive despite all of the adversity by reminding herself “that [she] get[s] to play four more years in the future.” As much as athletes are heartbroken about the situation, it is important to reflect on the bigger picture and to stay as positive as possible.

Some of the underlying benefits to all of the free time for students has been the chance to catch up on tv shows, or to even begin a workout routine. Molly Starinsky (12) feels that “obviously this coronavirus isn’t ideal,” but she is making the most of this time by taking her “dog out on 2 or more walks a day” and “doing a better job with working out and cleaning the house.” With college and the future quickly rushing up to seniors, this sudden pause to society gives a much needed break to get back into healthy routines. Grace Dallas knows that she is “trying to stay positive and see the good” in the situation as a whole. What helps her stay positive is telling herself that “the resilience will make me a better person in the end.” It is so important to see the bright side of any situation, especially as every high schooler in the United States is going through the same tough time right now.

It is alright as a senior to allow yourself to be upset about everything getting taken away with such short notice. But it is also good to see that there are good habits that can come out of a traumatic time, and that the school district is doing everything they can do to make senior year a special time. Whether they are holding an online graduation ceremony, or hanging the senior sports banners through the streets of Old Hilliard, they will make sure that all seniors get the recognition they deserve!