Virus Robs Seniors of Glory Days, Not Hope

Virus Robs Seniors of Glory Days, Not Hope   

By Rachel Galatis 

JRN100 Stonehill News Staff Writer 

April 2- After Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker placed a stay-at-home advisory on the state as a result of the recent coronavirus pandemic, people’s lives have changed drastically, from local businesses shutting down to the closing of schools. 

Normally, during this time of year, high school seniors like Katie Quinn-Cyr and Julia Jenks would be trying on prom dresses and decorating graduation caps. But this year the coronavirus has prevented seniors all over the country from experiencing the most notable part of their year: the celebrations marking the end of their high school careers.  

Jenks and Quinn-Cyr attend Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Mass. and are just two of the hundreds of thousands of seniors who have suffered the consequences that have come with this virus.   

Like most high schools, Austin Prep had planned grand events to commemorate the seniors but most involved large crowds and have been postponed indefinitely or cancelled due to the everchanging pandemic. 

The coronavirus is a disease that attacks the immune system, which can be extremely dangerous to those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or obesity, as well as to older people. 

With the number of deaths in Massachusetts fluctuating daily, Baker has ordered schools and all nonessential businesses to shut their doors until May 4, leaving students and workers everywhere to adapt to a new lifestyle that involves the practice of social distancing.  

As of mid-April, there have been 1970 deaths in Massachusetts as a result of the virus. There is a stay at home advisory in place, forcing many people into quarantine and to do their work and schoolwork from the comfort of their living spaces. 

Austin Prep’s doors have been closed since March 12 and plans on opening May 4, although no one knows for sure if this will happen. Austin Prep seniors are just one of the many graduating classes who have been affected by the current situation.  

Katelyn Quinn-Cyr said she is disappointed that the seniors are not able to participate in track and field this spring. Since she was a freshman she has been looking forward to this time as a senior. 

 “Every year we see the seniors form a bond and that’s going to be really hard to not get to do that because everyone else put in so much work,” she said. 

However, she said the faculty at the school are encouraging the seniors to have hope that this will get better despite the difficult times. She said that despite the changes she appreciates that the administration has been communicating closely with the seniors on developments.  

“He didn’t want the school to get cancelled; he's been updating us as much as he can and updating us on our senior activities to help us stay positive even though they’re not sure if things are going to happen,” she said.  

Quinn-Cyr said she does not want to belittle the dangerous situation caused by the pandemic and understands the reason for everything that is postponed and why. But she also is holding out hope that the situation gets better in time for the seniors to enjoy their end of the year activities, such as commencement and senior mass.   

“We feel so selfish because we’re seniors. We know people are dying, but we want our year back. Some people have given up already but I’m not. We’re not done yet; we’re not done,” she said. 

High school seniors said graduation is supposed to be one of the most memorable events in a person’s lifetime, and they do not want to miss out on it. 

Austin Prep senior Julia Jenks said she has been very upset about the possibility of graduation getting canceled.  

 “You only graduate once. That's something that's so unique to the whole class of 2020 across the entire country, and not experiencing it is-it's just crazy," she said. 

Jenks said she is waiting nervously for the news of whether graduation can go as planned in May. She said that the faculty are taking it day by day in terms of assessing the situation before they make any decisions as to whether they should open the school. They aren’t sure when they will hear back and don’t expect to until Massachusetts has more regulations in place that will explain the safest way to approach schooling.  

In addition to worrying about her senior year, Jenks said she is concerned personally for her family since her father is a fireman and she works at a farm-stand that sells groceries.  

 “Being at work has been crazy. It’s a reality check; the amount of people coming in with masks is more than people without which shows how crazy it is out there. People have been super grateful to me being at work. I got a tip today, and I never get a tip. I got $5," she says. 

Like many families who have first responders coming home to them, it can be scary on all ends of the situations. Fire fighters have been very active recently, going to calls that now involve both the coronavirus and their normal responsibilities.  

“My dad is a firefighter who has to deal with people who have it. He's been to some houses that have been not confirmed but presumed to have it or be exposed to it, and he has to come home and live with us," she says. 

The stay at home advisory has been extended once and is set to end May 4 but could be extended again. Both seniors said they have hope and that his whole situation comes to an end as soon as possible so everyone can get back to their normal lives.  

“We still have hope because it's all we have,” Quinn-Cyr says.