Two Sunnyside Students Share their Perspectives
Seniors in the Sunnyside Unified School District and across the country are spending their last months of high school in quarantine and regrettably, they will not get to participate in the many events that traditionally culminate the high school experience. We wish the Class of 2020 much health, success and happiness, and remember: this too shall pass. For this month’s edition, we have invited two of our Seniors to share their perspective:
Co-authored by:
Clarissa Frisby, Desert View High School
Michael Villasana, Sunnyside High School
For 16 years of our lives, we heard nonstop from older kids how they were the best simply because they were seniors. We heard the stories. We pretended like we didn’t care and they were overreacting. Deep down, we were all excited. Each for a different reason, but excited nonetheless.
We were excited for more freedom and for the chance to spend a fun-filled year making memories that would last a lifetime. Senior parties, prom and graduation were the main perks that made it special. We patiently watched and waited, for soon it would be our time to shine. The Class of 2020. It didn’t work out in the way any of us wanted or expected.
When we started our senior year, the last thing we expected was to enter a worldwide pandemic. Then COVID-19 struck. All of us were suddenly forced to switch to online school.
Being a senior during this time has been full of disappointment, outrage and sadness. Many were looking forward to going to senior prom as well as being able to walk at graduation. All our years of finding motivation, being responsible and doing hard work feel as if they don’t matter as much now. It has been tough trying to wrap our heads around all the opportunities we are losing.
Thankfully, our district constantly wants to help others and support students, not only during a pandemic, but before that. We are getting the opportunity to be independent and we are not completely alone. Our teachers are still willing to teach us and have been giving us the school work we need to finish in order to graduate. While we were physically in school, we were lucky enough to have our teachers so close for help. Although we still have their help, now they are at more of a distance. This serves as a way to prepare us for college by letting us experience more responsibility.
Time and situation have not stopped our principals from pushing to get us a graduation ceremony where we get the recognition we deserve. Likewise, our superintendent and his team have been trying to give us updates. The district has been helping with students to obtain the food and internet access they need, as this closure is causing personal drawbacks within families.
Although we are in a difficult time, it’s nice to know that Sunnyside hopes a ceremony happens. It brings us comfort that, even if it’s delayed, the administration, the district, our teachers and the students are willing to try. They have done an amazing job to continually support us and our community.
