Graduating High School Seniors
BY RIBKA SHEIKH '21
With Australia’s wildfires, the passing of NBA star Kobe Bryant, and the coronavirus, 2020 has already hit us worse than 2019. As we all know, the virus has had many consequences, one of the most notable being a hindrance to students’ education. Millions of students globally have been out of school since the pandemic hit. In fact, as of May, fourty-eight states in the US recommended or mandated school closures for the rest of the school year. Moreover, due to the pandemic, many schools utilize synchronous and asynchronous learning so that their students can still feel productive and engaged. The pandemic has been especially difficult for high school students, as they have missed out on significant testing opportunities: sophomores were unable to take the MCAS, and juniors couldn’t take the SATs.
However, seniors have it the hardest. The virus is changing college plans because of its financial impact. Some seniors are now considering taking a gap year or attending a community college instead. Along with college, many seniors’ activities have been adapted to online settings or have been canceled. Isn’t graduation supposed to be the most delightful time of the year? Isn’t prom supposed to be the most fun and unforgettable experience? Well, this year things are different with COVID-19. Without these events, most seniors miss out on a memorable celebration of their high school completion. It is the last chance for seniors to spend time with their peers before heading in different directions. In fact, high school senior Mackenzie Horvath started a petition urging her district and others statewide to consider holding graduations and proms, even if they have to take place in the summer. As of now, it has over 32,000 signatures.
Many people in Acton-Boxborough had the hope in early April that there could still be a graduation ceremony; however, it didn’t seem likely as COVID-19 cases and deaths started peaking in Massachusetts. Like most other schools in the state, ABRHS now plans to have a virtual graduation on June 12th. This online ceremony allows the seniors to be recognized and student speakers to share their reflections on these unexpected times. Even though graduation does not feel the same virtually, the recognition of seniors proves most important as they are being rewarded for their high school completion and hard work overall.
Although many students worldwide aren’t able to receive their diplomas, AB has decided to pass them out despite the circumstances. On June 5th, a Rolling Rally took place from the Boxborough Regency Hotel to the high school parking lot, where seniors wearing their caps and gowns received their diplomas from Mr. Dorey at the senior patio. Faculty and staff cheered on from the parking lot, while family and friends watched the parade along the route. The undeniable, community-wide support truly helped seniors cope with the many unexpected cancelations and changes during their final moments at AB.
The seniors would have never imagined they would be spending much of their last high school year in quarantine. Many feel disheartened that they couldn’t devote their final months in school to say proper goodbyes to fellow friends and teachers. Because seniors are missing out on several meaningful milestones, some schools plan to reschedule them for later on. Even though this pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, it also teaches us to adapt and grow. The fact that many students can brave through these difficult times is admirable as it ultimately prepares us for the worst. If we look at the positive side of this situation, seniors will be able to tell their children that they received their diploma in a car! Even though things aren't the same with the given circumstances, this year's graduation was ultimately unique and unforgettable.
However, seniors have it the hardest. The virus is changing college plans because of its financial impact. Some seniors are now considering taking a gap year or attending a community college instead. Along with college, many seniors’ activities have been adapted to online settings or have been canceled. Isn’t graduation supposed to be the most delightful time of the year? Isn’t prom supposed to be the most fun and unforgettable experience? Well, this year things are different with COVID-19. Without these events, most seniors miss out on a memorable celebration of their high school completion. It is the last chance for seniors to spend time with their peers before heading in different directions. In fact, high school senior Mackenzie Horvath started a petition urging her district and others statewide to consider holding graduations and proms, even if they have to take place in the summer. As of now, it has over 32,000 signatures.
Many people in Acton-Boxborough had the hope in early April that there could still be a graduation ceremony; however, it didn’t seem likely as COVID-19 cases and deaths started peaking in Massachusetts. Like most other schools in the state, ABRHS now plans to have a virtual graduation on June 12th. This online ceremony allows the seniors to be recognized and student speakers to share their reflections on these unexpected times. Even though graduation does not feel the same virtually, the recognition of seniors proves most important as they are being rewarded for their high school completion and hard work overall.
Although many students worldwide aren’t able to receive their diplomas, AB has decided to pass them out despite the circumstances. On June 5th, a Rolling Rally took place from the Boxborough Regency Hotel to the high school parking lot, where seniors wearing their caps and gowns received their diplomas from Mr. Dorey at the senior patio. Faculty and staff cheered on from the parking lot, while family and friends watched the parade along the route. The undeniable, community-wide support truly helped seniors cope with the many unexpected cancelations and changes during their final moments at AB.
The seniors would have never imagined they would be spending much of their last high school year in quarantine. Many feel disheartened that they couldn’t devote their final months in school to say proper goodbyes to fellow friends and teachers. Because seniors are missing out on several meaningful milestones, some schools plan to reschedule them for later on. Even though this pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone, it also teaches us to adapt and grow. The fact that many students can brave through these difficult times is admirable as it ultimately prepares us for the worst. If we look at the positive side of this situation, seniors will be able to tell their children that they received their diploma in a car! Even though things aren't the same with the given circumstances, this year's graduation was ultimately unique and unforgettable.
