Posted on 04/04/2020 1:32:43 AM PDT by L.A.Justice
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The disruption caused by COVID-19 has been incredibly inconvenient for everyone. But for some young adults, the timing of this lockdown has been heartbreaking.
The second semester of senior year is usually full of milestones: senior prom, senior trips, and graduation, just to name a few. But high school seniors across the state and country are missing some of these once-in-a-lifetime memories in an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
Now, as the cancellations have started, local seniors are struggling to accept that for their class, these rites of passage may never happen.
“It’s devastating actually, because I really wanted to go to prom, and just spend time with my friends and experience my senior year,” Laney High School Senior Rachel Muir told WECT.
Like many of her classmates, Muir had already bought a dress, and had been looking forward to senior prom all year. But for the Class of 2020, the corsage, the limo, and the night dancing with friends looks like it won’t be a Cinderella story after all.
“It’s a hard thing to just grasp it being ripped away from us like that,” Laney Senior Nate Hedrick said.
It’s not just the memories from senior prom they will miss. It’s the looming possibility that other big events they’ve worked so hard for may now be out of the question as well.
“Once everything started getting cancelled and postponed and everything, I couldn’t handle it. It was just so much at one time,” Laney Senior Kamryn Ballard said of the tremendous disappointment.
“This is stuff we grow up looking forward to, since we are in elementary school,” Muir added. “This is what we’ve been working towards. This is a moment we will never get to live again.”
Seniors are grappling with the fact that one priceless experience after another may be missing from their book of life.
“Seniors last year and probably seniors to come, they will get their prom, they’ll get their graduation, they’ll get their senior walks around campus,” Hedrick said. “But with [Coronavirus] going around, none of us are going to get that, and we’re just going to have to live with that.”
While graduation hasn’t been canceled yet, these seniors fear it’s imminent. They say getting your diploma in the mail just isn’t the same.
“I really want to walk the stage, and see my family happy and proud,” Senior Alex Rivers shared.
While the disappointment is palpable, the uniquely painful experience of knowing their cap and gown may never get worn in public is making these students wise beyond their years.
"This is a thing we are all going to get through. Just keep moving forward and try your hardest,” Hedrick said.
New Hanover County Schools has yet to announce any decisions about graduation, and at this point, classes are scheduled to resume in May. But school officials have cancelled prom district-wide.
“New Hanover County Schools has informed high school principals to notify families that proms have been cancelled,” NHCS Spokesperson Ann Gibson said. “At this time, all high schools have canceled their proms and families have been notified. NHCS knows this is a difficult decision for everyone, so it was decided that families would be notified by high school staff rather than include the cancellations as part of a district-wide press release.”
Officials tell WECT they used the word “cancelled” because under the circumstances, it is possible they will not be able to reschedule prom, and they didn’t want to give people false hope.
“The district will evaluate end-of-year activities when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and students return to school,” Gibson said.
No worries.
Agreed.
I am hoping and praying you are right. Our schools had been cancelled till the first part of May...then it was revised to cancelled for the year. I have twin grandsons who are seniors. They are also ball players. I have watched these boys play baseball since they were 5 yrs old. Getting better and better with each passing year. It broke my heart for them when school cancelled their ball season after only getting to play about 6 games this year. And the same night their last ball game was played, they found out the prom was cancelled too. Scott’s girlfriend had just picked her dress up from getting altered that afternoon. The look of disappointment in her face brought tears to my eyes. It was not long after all that when school for the year was cancelled. So many memories, and fun times they should have experienced were snatched away in a blink of the eye. Yes, I am praying when this is over, they will still have a prom.....and a graduation ceremony....and be able to make some good memories of what was supposed to be the best year of high school for them.
I’m in CA. Several school districts around me have recently sent out notifications that graduations and proms for seniors will still happen—but deep into the summer. A sensible solution I think.
I have a graduating (college) senior; I’m hoping the college does something similar.
SNOWFLAKES CAN’T TAKE MISSING A BOOZE PARTY.
I NEVER HAD A PROM, DIDN’T BOTHER ME. WE SIMPLY COULDN’T AFFORD IT. I’m the eldest of 4, lots of things were hand me downs, as my mom was next to the youngest of 6 sisters.
Purdue is doing a big virtual graduation.
None of our grand kids, or nieces or nephew’s are complaining. Then they were raised as Conservatives.
The one I feel sorry for is a G. Grand nephew 15 in July, he has Duchenes MD, still not in wheel chair yet, his POS dad, his mom is trying to divorce is STALKING them, took his mowing jobs, makes $70 K a year. Hits him, verbally abuses him, is a DOPE addict, drinks with his cop buddies, is renting different cars to do the stalking. Won’t come on the porch even with out a cop buddy. Sheriff can’t issue a Worthless restraining order. Judge has to, no court. He can’t even find out what is in his bank account, he’s a Primary holder, but dear POS has control over it. 9 yr old sleeps with her mom out of fear, he comes in house with out one of his cop buds she will shoot him. But doesn’t have a CCW permit. Small tourist town. She is in worse health than the kid is.
My high school senior son isn’t complaining, but I do feel bad for him. Missing prom, graduation, his last season of baseball.
I came home from the store yesterday and there was a gaggle of neighborhood girls in the driveway talking to him while he was washing his truck. So maybe I shouldn’t feel too sorry for him...
So sorry your daughter is going through that. Took a year and a half to put together mine, and it was only for 100 people. Hopefully all the services she is working with are accommodating.
My district has implemented distance learning, so they will graduate. Even my college student is doing distance learning.
The only ones that will have to retake classes are students with labs.
Out sick again all this week. They finally tested me for COVID 19 so I’m in quarantine awaiting the results.
My lungs hurt all day everyday, but at least I can breathe.
Yikes!
Praying for him and his family!
Now that’s funny!
Prayers up, FRiend!
Devastating is something far different than missing a senior prom.
We have created two generations of marshmallows who are going to have to learn how to cope.
My daughter teaches 2nd grade and they’re doing their studies online. The other day one boy showed with a lizard on his head and a little girl had on a mask made from her waffle with the eyes and mouth cut out. She said that not a lot is getting done.
News Flash :
I was a teenager once and have keen insight on this topic.
They *WILL* make up for it !!
Not sayin’ this is a good thing or bad . . . just sayin’ !!
My grandson is a senior at a private school in CA. I hope his graduation can be moved to later in the summer. The only problem is that a good majority of the students are from put of state and out of the country.
We still have our airline reservations and inn reservations. I guess I’m an optimist.
Good luck to your grandson. I hope a summertime prom and graduation are possible.
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