Since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, our everyday lives have changed drastically. Arguably, high school seniors have taken the hardest hit during the pandemic. For some, the senior year of high school is the highlight of their lives. However, due to COVID 19 virus, the average school year for a high school senior has been altered dramatically. At the peak of the Class of 2020’s school year, the country was put on lockdown due to the  COVID 19 crisis. High school students concluded their school year virtually. and did not have a real graduation and senior prom was canceled leaving students disappointed. The following year the 2021 graduating class began the start of their senior year virtually. With no end in sight, the COVID 19 pandemic sabotaged another school year. However, for the Class of 2021, this was even worse because the previous year had at least a taste of normalcy.  Senior year is a big year for students, it’s their final year in high school, it’s the last time they will enjoy being kids. After high school students are catapulted into adulthood forced to make a choice of which career path they want to go down. If students are not given an authentic senior experience this could affect their lives after high school. The question must be asked, “will the class of 2022 have a normal senior year or will the pandemic force them into an awkward senior year like the previous classes.” I had the pleasure to interview a handful of seniors on how they think their senior year will be this year.

Chris Hood

Q: How do you think your senior year will be this year with COVID?

A: It would be better than my junior year as I will get to come back to school for my senior year rather than have to learn virtually as I did for my junior year.

Q: How did COVID affect your grades?

A: It affected my grades positively at first, but then my grades began to drop because learning online in online school is more challenging than learning at school surrounded by peers.

Q: Are you happy to be back in school or do you wish you could be virtual again?

A: I wish we were virtual because I do not want my football season to be overdue to COVID issues.

Patrick Malone

Q: How do you think your senior year will be this year with COVID?

A: I hope that it’s not affected my COVID, but I think eventually we will be back online.

Q: How did COVID affect your grades?

A: They were not affected.

Q: Are you happy to be back in school or do you wish you could be virtual again?

A: I am happy because I get to be with all my friends again.

Austin Kelly

Q: How do you think your senior year will be this year with COVID?

A: Hopefully we are able to stay in the building and have somewhat of a normal school year for our senior year.

Q: How did COVID affect your grades?

A: COVID actually brought my grades up I went from a 3.8 to a 4.5 GPA.

Q: Are you happy to be back in school or do you wish you could be virtual again?

A: I’m happy I am back in school. I like being around people, talking, and interacting with people; instead of sitting on my couch all day doing nothing.

A special thanks to all the interviewees. We hope you all have a wonderful school year!