Bigfork’s departing class of 2020 is facing the possible reality of no graduation ceremony, no prom, and the loss of senior traditions, such as senior trips and class goodbyes.BY ASHLEY MILLER
As schools across the U.S. shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, and students are kept home to prevent spread, many high schoolers are having to face the reality that major events like prom, graduation, and graduation parties will be canceled. For many, these events are considered a quintessential American tradition that often symbolizes the end of a chapter in closing their high school careers. Bigfork seniors abruptly are having to end their high school experience, without the celebratory send offs, and goodbyes that they deserve. “Currently, prom has been put on hold. It was scheduled for April 25th at the Diamond B ranch off Lower Valley Road. If the "Shelter in Place" gets lifted, I don't think we would be able to have it at the Diamond B. Under short notice, it would be hard to find a beautiful place that is inexpensive,” said Bigfork’s librarian Scarlett Sherman. The prom committee had planned a “night sky” theme, with white, gold, and blue as the colors. The same photo booth from last year had been reserved again. The committee had raised about $700 through their fundraisers they did this year. Prom was held at the Diamond B four years ago, and has since added a new barn that overlooks the Flathead River. “We were still fundraising and that had to stop with all the new social [,]work [and] school rules in place because of COVID-19….it is difficult to say whether we would still have prom,” said spanish teacher Suzanne Hines. The school’s hope is that the outbreak will abate by the end of May or early June. Bigfork High School’s graduation was scheduled for June 6th; however, this date is still not certain. Decisions will be made in correlation with Governor Bullock’s directives every two weeks. “At this time we have not made any decision on graduation. Mr. Jensen and I have had conversations about what it could look like as we get closer to May. With the Governor closing school until April 24th, we will wait until we see what May looks like before moving forward with plans. All options for graduation will be on the table as we look for the best way to celebrate and recognize our seniors,” said student body principle Mark Hansen. Students reflected on how they are copying with these situations. “I am disappointed at graduation potentially being canceled because we are not getting to even say a proper goodbye to the highschool or to our friends or teachers. This is really quite devastating since I’ve gone to bigfork my whole life, k-12, and have worked very hard for good grades to walk across that stage and graduate,” said senior Carson Degele. Likewise, senior Courtney Boese said, “I think this is going to put a huge damper on all of the seniors because we have worked our whole high school careers to get to our final moments like prom and graduation...it is sad to think we might not get to walk down the aisle at graduation with our friends or take our final prom pictures.” “I think prom is a fun thing that everyone looks forward to all year and graduation is a huge accomplishment for all the seniors. We’ve had a rough school year and prom is something that brings the school together and graduation is our ‘final goodbye' to the seniors that we’ve looked up to and become friends with since getting into high school,” said Emma Berreth. Seniors commented on how they think that the school board should address this. “I think the school board should make sure we have at least a graduation no matter when it can happen even if it happens in late June or July,” said Senior Ashton McAnally. “I do think the school board should make up graduation at least, because that is very important to me as a senior, and it would be sad if I never had a chance to say goodbye to all the other seniors and classmates,” said senior Nate Frizzell. Although concerns were expressed, students have agreed that the precautions are necessary in protecting them from the risk of potential illness and the health of their families and themselves.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|