Seniors Tell All

By Kendra Hill Staff writer

This just in Kim Reynolds closes Iowa Schools for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19. As schools hurry and try to figure out how they are going to teach online and how they are going to keep teaching there current subject with limited resources.

Seniors aren’t so happy that the COVID-19 has ruined many things they were looking foward to such as Senior Prom and Graduation.

“I really miss my teachers. Our school administrators have been really good about putting out videos with messages from our staff”, Said Cecilia Hersom a senior at GTRA. “Most of my teachers have reached out to me personally to check in, and those check-ins have shown me how much our teachers genuinely care. Academically, we have online voluntary work, but it isn’t the same as being in class with our teachers and hearing their voices. I never thought I would see a day that I miss sitting in a desk at 8 am.”

Hersom later on said, “Following the April 17th press conference from Governor Reynolds, the administration at GTRA decided to cancel prom. We are so fortunate to have amazing Post-Prom parents. They are working on setting up a summer prom after the softball and baseball seasons are over. The senior parents have a lot of ideas to celebrate both graduation and prom. I am honestly so grateful for the local support we have received. Mr Josephson has been really good about assuring that we will have some sort of graduation ceremony. Our official date has not been set, but there is talk about a June graduation ceremony. There is a small chance of having a virtual graduation as a last resort, but no one really wants to do that. Several of my classmates have already printed party invitations, so they are currently trying to figure out what to do with 200 wrong invitations. I feel like everyone is in the “hurry up and wait” phase of this whole thing and we don’t really know what to do next.”

“The virus has affected class time with teachers by only let us students email them or maybe getting on a video call with them.”, Said Alex Lowman a Senior at Emmetsburg High School. ” The activities I’m active in are band and vocal and those are affected because we cant get the whole choir or band together to practice and we cant work on all our music for concerts. Its affect prom and graduation because some of us, including me, are afraid that graduation and prom might be canceled. The school has had makeup dates in effect just in case and we all hope that the school can make something work. My point of view on everything is I’m worried that some people are losing out on opportunities that would be going on at this point in time.”

“It has affected prom and graduation a lot. i always wonder “will i even still graduate after working so hard the last 12 years?” and senior prom is a big night.”, Said Breanna Fitzgerald a Senior at Emmetsburg High School. “I see it as it’s really sad how our world is right now but i know it’s for the best so we have everyone staying healthy.”

“Abraham Lincoln High School is no longer have a prom, and things are on the fence about graduation. which is causes a lot of anxiety.” Said Peyton Kennedy of Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs.”Media really hyped us all up. it’s scary but doesn’t have to be as scary as it seems.”

They later on gave advice to the underclassman about high school.

“Never take anything for granted. Live life to the fullest. Really listen to your teachers and get the school work done and to the best you can do it. always cherish your time with friends and faculty at school for you never know when it’ll be your last time.”-Fitzgerald.

“If I could tell the underclass a couple of things it would be even tho some opportunities are being missed out on you can always try something else.”-Lowman.

“Hold tight to your peers. Right now, they seem really annoying and you probably can’t wait to leave high school, but you’ll regret wishing away the days if something tragic happens. Your peers will always understand you in a way that no one else does. After the announcement that schools were cancelled for the rest of the year, my friends and I immediately started texting and snapping each other to share our feelings. I am heartbroken that all of our plans have changed, and my peers get my feelings like no one else. Also be patient with the seniors. We are trying our hardest to hold it all together right now. The best thing you can do for us is to let us vent.”-Hersom.

“That they are lucky and to really soak in your senior year because you never know what could happen.”-Kennedy.