For the past three weeks, I have been writing senior spotlight articles for our local newspaper. The seniors I spoke with were not valedictorians or salutatorians. They carried average and above-average grades. Some were involved in student government, sports, performing arts, and community service activities. Some were outgoing. Others were more reserved. Several are headed to college in the fall. A few are planning to attend trade schools. Some don’t have any solid plans yet. They represented several different races, cultures, and religious backgrounds. But they all had one thing in common – they left school on Friday, March 14, knowing they would return on Monday, and life would go on as usual as they prepared for graduation. And then their senior year of high school came to an abrupt end on Monday, March 17, 2020, because of COVID-19.
They missed proms, spring sports and concerts, awards assemblies, senior trips, senior pranks, and state championships. With all they missed out on, and with all of the uncertainty quarantine brought, it would be reasonable to think that these kids were miserable with the hand they were dealt. It would be reasonable to believe that they wasted their downtime. It would be reasonable to surmise that they will be scarred for the rest of their lives because of the setback they suffered. It would be reasonable to conclude that they have, indeed, suffered over these past two months.
I don’t think the students would agree.
“I was sad that I didn’t get to participate in prom this year,” True said. “But I’m not going to complain. Although a lot of things got canceled, it doesn’t do any good to complain.”
“It is so crazy how close we got to the finish line this year,” Carlos said. “But then we got cut off. We went to the last day of school without knowing it was the last day. But I am excited to see what our administration and teachers will do for us for graduation.”
“Being part of the graduating class of 2020 has been stressful and confusing,” said Rita. “But my morning meditation with a cup of warm green tea brings peace and quiet.”
“During this time, when the virus hit, we are still able to graduate and reach our achievement,” Shane said. “Our school was able to do it for us even if it is going to be a little different.”
“Since the first of the year, we have been a little on edge,” Vanessa said. “We wouldn’t have been if it hadn’t been for the virus. But it brought us closer through group chats. We helped each other. We became more of a family.”
Sports figures, actors, actresses, singers, and other entertainment figures, as well as writers, elected officials, and multi-millionaires are often admired. But, without fail, each time I asked a student who they most admired, not one mentioned the name of a famous person or persons.
“I really admire my parents because they are some of the best people I know,” explained Benton. “They are my greatest role models.”
Two people hold special places in Cassidy’s heart. “I admire my mom so much,” she said. “She teaches me to live without regret and wants me to have everything she didn’t have. I also appreciate my history teacher so much. She was like a second mom to me at school.”
Tanner credits his coaches, teachers, and school administration with pushing him and his fellow students to find their options. “They are really there for us,” he said. “And the coaches help me stay on track and keep in shape.”
Arthur credits the friends he hangs out with for their influence. “I told myself to hang out with smarter kids who can influence me to get good grades,” he explained. “I hope I had a good influence on them, too.”
When asked who he looks up to, Spencer didn’t have to stop and think. “My dad,” he replied. “He is a good provider, and we can talk about anything.”
Marie credits the teachers at her high school for making her high school experience a highlight for her. “All of the teachers have been so great,” she said. “And everyone supported me so much when I lost my dad.”
“My parents are the ones I admire the most,” Riley said. “They used to be poor, but they pulled themselves out and motivated me to be the first college graduate in the family. They taught me that you don’t have to stay poor.”
A few of them had advice for the younger students.
“It was okay,” said Ronnie. “But then I realized I wouldn’t be able to make any last memories. I also thought I had plenty of time to take care of things, but we just have to take what we got.”
“I wasn’t as involved as I wish I had been,” Kasity explained.
“I guess people should know not to take things for granted,” Anisa said. “School got canceled, and everything changed. If I had known it was going to happen, I would have worked a little harder for my grades and things.”
“I wish I had taken school work and grades a little more seriously,” ChaLee explained. “I could have asked for help more often because the teachers were always willing to help.”
“If I could talk to the younger kids, I would tell them to do everything they can because when it’s over, it’s over,” said Adrian. “I mean, this year coronavirus took away our last couple of months. Just get involved.”
What they will remember.
“I will mostly remember the lockdown and missing out on school,” Cole said. “I love learning, and I love being with my friends. I will also remember that we didn’t have a traditional graduation experience.”
“I think I will remember the chaos of being a graduate in 2020,” Margaret said. “One day, everything was running smoothly, and the next day it was all done. I miss seeing my classmates in the hallway.”
“We had the best students,” Marco explained. “Even though it got cut short, it was one of the best years of all. You felt like you were part of a family. The teachers care, and they make you feel like you are getting ready for the future.”
“Because of the quarantine, a lot of traditions had to be changed at the last minute,” Damaris said. “Our graduation will be so different. But we will always remember it.”
What I come away with every time I speak to a graduating senior is that although they are a little sad about what couldn’t be, they are excited about what the future holds. They are grateful to parents, grandparents, teachers, and leaders. They recognize what is being done for them. You parents and teachers who beat yourselves up because of the things you can’t provide for your kids and students, take a minute to realize what you have given them. All of the missed activities and opportunities of the past couple of months will never take those things away. You are doing a good job. You are loved. You are a valuable part of these kids’ lives. You have taught them to get through hard things. You have given them a safe place to fall. You have shown them that you believe in them.
These graduates are going to be just fine. Twenty-five years from now when they talk about all they missed because of COVID-19, they will do so with pride and a fire in their souls. They will be stronger, not weaker, because of the quarantine. They will value relationships because of what they learned during the quarantine.
Ally said it best. “It has really been a blessing in so many ways. Before everything got canceled, I felt like I had no purpose and no value. What I learned by slowing down and praying a lot is that my value isn’t something I have to earn. I am valuable just because I am me.”
#storieswithcharlene #gratitude #hope