Seniors harbor mixed feelings over distance learning extension
Missing out on activities creates disappointment
Seniors gather for the senior sunrise Sept. 11. Park returned to full distance learning Nov. 16.
November 23, 2020
The school board has extended distance learning for the time being and will reevaluate on Jan. 11, 2021. For seniors, this last year of high school has turned out to be anything but ideal.
According to senior Marissa Boettcher, the distance learning extension has caused her to miss out on school activities that seniors have in previous years.
“I’m kind of bummed about it just because it’s my senior year. I’m missing out on a lot of senior traditions and just being able to be with my classmates for one last year,” Boettcher said.
Senior Emma Heinzen said the way this year unfolded comes as an unfortunate surprise. Heinzen feels there are many opportunities and events, such as prom that her class did not have.
“I thought that I would be going to a lot more school events and really hanging out with more of my classmates… definitely not playing out really how I originally thought that it would go,” Heinzen said.
Boettcher said though she is upset about missing out, she understands why it is important to remain in distance learning.
“It is a hard decision to make because you want to be able to be together, learn and be in person, but at the same time you have to think of the well being of everyone, not just a few individual people,” Boettcher said.
According to Heinzen, there are several aspects of in-person school that cannot be replicated in an online environment; one major disadvantage of online school is the absence of in-person interaction with classmates.
“I miss seeing my friends and the people that I usually only see when I’m at school. I really miss those interactions a lot. (I) also (miss) being in that environment, being able to ask questions right away and work on fun projects,” Heinzen said.
According to interim principal Wendy Loberg, students’ frustrations are being heard and she is committed to making the best out of this situation. Along with the help of students, Loberg is thinking of putting together a Winter Olympics event.
“We talked about doing some really special things for seniors, and one of the ideas is a Winter Olympics where we could put together some events outside, bundle everybody up and be able to do a Winter Olympics safely,” Loberg said.
Despite all the difficulties faced with the ongoing pandemic, Loberg chooses to see the bright side of the situation. According to Loberg, this year is anything but expected, but that doesn’t mean that students will miss out on all the fun.
“No one has ever had a senior year like this other than this year’s seniors, so we get the opportunity to create something very special,” Loberg said.
