The class of 2020 was born during a national tragedy and they find themselves graduating during a pandemic. This senior class started their lives off with 9/11 and has COVID-19 interrupting a large milestone in their lives, a part of life that many remember for the rest of their lives. 

Many hear a variation of the common words of wisdom from upperclassmen “high school flies by in the blink of an eye,” and seniors are experiencing the harsh reality of those words. The end of an era came before anyone knew it was gone, leaving the class of 2020 heavy hearted and confused. 

“My mind has been all over the place lately, I am really 50/50 on this whole situation,” said senior Spencer Wittstruck. “I am just trying to stay focused on school and still enjoy my life at the same time.”

The “last day of school” came before all of the “lasts” that seniors are supposed to have. The big events such as graduation and prom are up in the air alongside spring seasons that have been cut completely, leaving students and athletes heart broken. The chance to cheer as a Lincoln Crazie or to compete as an LHS Pat just one more time was taken away far too soon. 

“My whole thought process on this situation is it’s a whole lot of lasts that us seniors won’t be able to have,” said senior Chase Helland. “My hopes are we can have a postponed graduation and a postponed prom just to give hope to the seniors.” 

Everyone always imagined what the end of senior year would be like but no one thought it would end like this. Seniors sat next to each other in class on March 13 not knowing that that would be the last time they would see many of their peers. They walked out of their classrooms not knowing that they would never get to walk with their friends to the next class in the LHS hallways ever again. Seniors went to practice that day amongst their coaches and teammates not knowing that that was the last time they would be a high school athlete. Seniors also walked out of the LHS doors for their last time as a LHS Patriot that day. 

“Having my senior year cut short breaks my heart and it is something I never imagined happening,” said senior Caroline Sudbeck. “What I did imagine was my final track season and 4×400 at the state meet, prom, graduation, and all of the big moments that make high school so special. It’s sad knowing that we didn’t get that final send off that we have been working towards for years.” 

What lies ahead in the future is unknown to all. Remaining positive and staying hopeful is what is getting most seniors through. Even to receive a sliver of the end of senior year would be appreciated and cherished by the class of 2020. 

“I feel for all of us seniors that have worked hard till this point to graduate and now might not have the opportunity to walk the stage and enjoy the last dances and sports that we love to support and go to,” said Wittstruck. “I know there’s one thing about the class of 2020 and that is we are resilient and we will come out stronger going into college.”