The Ups and Downs of the SHHS Shutdown

Looking back on the last weeks of normalcy before the coronavirus pandemic took hold is surreal, to say the least. The shift was sudden: a day off from school, then a full-blown lockdown. At the time, no one could fully grasp the magnitude of what was coming. But people had to adjust and accept it — quickly. 

When I look back on the 2019-2020 school year, as any bored but reflective teenager would, I recall conversations where a friend would say something like, “I would do anything for a break.” Or, “I wish everything would just pause.” In a sense, we got that, but it shouldn’t take a global pandemic for students to feel like they can take a break or prioritize their mental health. And COVID-19 is far from a spring-break getaway. It’s an unprecedented event for our time. This pandemic is redefining the modern high school experience, and students are overcome with a myriad of emotions.  

“I feel that quarantine has been both good and bad,” said Owen Burk, a sophomore at Strath Haven High School (SHHS). “I really enjoy getting to spend time with my siblings and bond with them. It’s also given me more time to work on myself, doing things I enjoy.”

With the fast-paced nature of everyday pre-pandemic life, there was little time to stop and smell the roses. Between work and school, we often neglected the people around us, or the things we love to do. In this sense, quarantine has provided an unexpected blessing. 

However, many students are also struggling with the strain of isolation. Burk said, “I miss school so much. It’s nothing to do with the classes or material, but just getting to see my friends every day. There’s some people you don’t realize you would miss until you can’t see them every day.”

Junior Julia Lafrance also reflected on how life has changed, saying, “Our obligations are limited, which can be a blessing or a curse, depending on who you are.”

As with any big change or transition, students — and people in general — are learning to adjust to what life is like now. 

“What I’ve found is, you look around, and suddenly, what was once mundane is exciting,” La-france continued. “Sometimes, on my runs around town, I’ll see a friend from across the street and it will make my whole day. Or an Amazon package arrives. Or a particularly good thunderstorm hits.”

Senioritis With a Twist

Regardless of the little silver linings, quarantine has had an especially startling impact on the class of 2020, and many SHHS seniors have expressed their disappointment.

“High school was a huge struggle for me,” said senior Grayson Ray. “I worked so hard to get to where I am today, and to just have all the celebration and remaining time with my friends stripped away is extremely disheartening. For me, it feels like it was just starting to get to the good part!”

Classmate Sybilla Moore expressed similar feelings, saying, “Like a lot of other Strath Haven students, my last four years have been full of a lot of great moments, but also a lot of stress. I was really looking forward to all the senior-year activities and the opportunity to relax a little bit and just enjoy everyone around me.” 

However, these seniors are also trying to find the light in the situation.

Ray continued, “It’s really frustrating that all those events and opportunities were taken away by the circumstances, but I think it’s important to remember we’re by no means worse off. I’m incredibly thankful that my family and I are healthy as of now, and very appreciative for all the long hours health-care and essential workers are putting in every day.”

Senior Alex Melly expressed his particular gratitude towards his mother, who is one of those essential workers. 

“She’s a doctor, and she’s going to work every day aware of the risks,” he said. “Her staff and everyone at her hospital is working as hard as they can. When she comes home, I see firsthand how this is impacting her well-being. She’s tired and it takes a toll. My mom will be the first person to tell you that this is what she signed up for.”

It’s important to maintain perspective in times like these, and recognize those who are risking their lives to provide hope for our generation.

Melly ended on a hopeful note for his classmates.

“As a senior in high school, yes it’s upsetting that the end of the year is canceled, but we’ll make the best of it as we always do. The class of 2020, especially at Strath Haven, is extremely resilient and resourceful. And at the end of the day, the end of high school isn’t really the end. It’s the beginning of your adult life, and that’s what I’m looking forward to: the future.”

Evelyn Meeker is a junior at Strath Haven High School.