While her senior year was cut short, senior Carly Corso to be important. She finds social distancing to be crucial to help end the spread of the Coronavirus. 

“I think it’s a serious issue that is clearly affecting our world at large. I understand why our country is taking these necessary measures to stop it from spreading. Social distancing is definitely not enjoyable, but it’s the only ways to stop the Coronavirus from spreading right now,” Corso said.

 Corso was broken that her senior year ended early. 

“I am broken-hearted that my senior has come to such an abrupt close. We seniors had our last day of high school over a week ago and did not even know it. It honestly feels surreal,” Corso said.

 Corso will miss her senior year and all the activities she was not able to do. She was involved in programs like HHS Dance and the HHS Blue Streak Band.

“There are so many things I am going to miss from senior year: graduation, prom, senior prank, College decision day, senior wills, end-of-the-year concerts and dance performances are some of the many things that I will miss the opportunity of doing,” Corso said. “I am proud of all the extracular activities I was able to complete and all the hard work I put into these past four academic years.”

Despite HHS being closed, Corso has a message to the Class of 2020. 

“Class of 2020, I’m sorry. I know that this all sucks. None of us expected our last day of high school to end so abruptly. It’s okay to feel sad, overwhelmed, worried and confused by all of this. We deserve to have all our senior privileges and events. Hopefully, once this virus is gone, we can get together and finally celebrate our accomplishments in-person,” Corso said. 

 One of the important accomplishments that Corso believes should be celebrated is the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. 

“I think the class of 2020 should be given a graduation ceremony even if it is postponed to a later date. We have all worked hard and deserve to walk across that stage,” Corso said. 

While there being no word on graduation, that isn’t holding Corso back. She is still intending to finish her courses strong and graduate so she can attend James Madison University in the fall. In addition to her senior year ending, Corso’s family trip over the summer to Europe is also not happening. Even through all of this, Corso wants to leave a message to the underclassmen.  

“Learn from this and do not take anything for granted,” Corso said .

Senior Faith Evans-Haywood has been using her time in quarantine to get ready for college and to work on her AP classes. She has work to work on for the AP deadlines. Despite keeping busy, Evans-Haywood still feels distraught from having her senior year end early.

“I’m heartbroken because there are so many last moments that I didn’t get. There are so many teachers and friends that, unless effort is made, I will not get to see them again. Although there are bigger issues right now, for seniors, this is our world and it’s being taken right from us without warning and it’s all confusing and scary and very sad,” Evans-Haywood said.

Evans-Haywood has been using her time to be prepared for college. She plans on attending JMU in the fall and  plans to study art education. 

“I’ve spent my years getting to know so many different groups of people and I really noticed it this year. Walking through the halls, I’d see countless faces of people that have shaped me in some way. Some would smile, some would wave, some shared a goofy face with me and others an inside joke. It was just so nice to share a moment with so many in our seven minutes of transition,” Evans-Haywood said.

Evans-Haywood appreciates her high school experience and wouldn’t change it for anything.

“I absolutely loved high school. The only thing I would change is going out [with people]. I didn’t really start to go out with friends until this year. I used to go home and go to sleep but, ‘no one looks back on memories and remembers a good night’s sleep.’ I wish I had taken the invites and invited others to explore more,” Evans-Haywood said.

During quarantine, Evans-Haywood hasn’t worried about herself regarding the Coronavirus. However, she is trying to stay safe for the rest of her family.

“I’m not scared for myself, but my grandpa lives with me so I’m trying to stay in and away from others as much as possible. It’s crazy how things can change in such a small amount of time,” Evans-Haywood said.

While making sure she stays safe during COVID-19, Evans-Haywood has been using this time to reflect on her teachers. 

“I will miss so many teachers. [Art teacher Jauan] Brooks has been with me all four years and has seen me grow and has really helped me become who I am today. [Social studies teacher Mark] Tueting let me cry but also lose my mind in his class and I’m so grateful for that. I will miss his very loud 8 a.m. classes on who is the worst person in the room, wrestling students and crying at our stupidity. [English teacher Rosanna] Johnson really helped me explore my writing and creativity that I didn’t know I had. She also lets me goof around while keeping me accountable, which I really appreciate,” Evans Haywood said.

Even though she is going to miss high school, there are certain aspects she won’t miss.

“I won’t miss being treated like I’m an elementary student. I also won’t miss the awkward walks up the main stairwell when people stand and stare at the top,” Evans-Haywood said.

Through all this, Evans-Haywood wants to give her class a message and words of encouragement. 

“We really had a tough and strange run, but we made it. I’ve encountered so many of you and so many have made a lasting impression. I’ll take all of these molding moments into my future. Thank you,” Evans-Haywood said.