What a crazy ending to your senior year! If you are disappointed it ended like this, be assured that you are not alone. Who would have thought that a global pandemic would be the reason for the disruption in your plans the last two months of high school? Mr. Craven, your PE teacher, recently shared a conversation he had with his son, Connor. Many of you may relate to Connor’s comments, which went something like this:
"That last day of school - I think it was a Thursday - I sat in my Woods II class and pointed out to Grant what I was going to do on my deer blind that Monday we planned on coming back. I was your TA with those little knuckleheads in your 3rd hour class, had Ensemble and Band, ate lunch, said 'Hi' to the cooks, and went to all my afternoon classes. I did some bird stuff in Ms. P's class…and then it was time for baseball practice. Man, it felt good to throw a ball! But I never thought it would officially be my last day of high school, that Thursday before spring break. My last day. Who would have thought way back in Mrs. Duclos’ Kindergarten class that first time we cheered '2-0-2-0’ at a pep fest, and didn't even really know what that meant, that we would not get to play spring sports, have prom or walk at graduation. Who would have thought...I don't like it…I liked school. I miss it."
Sometimes, when you least expect it, your life changes and it’s hard to make sense of what is happening all around you. Everything is different; things don’t turn out as you planned. But, perhaps there is something good that can come out of this experience. Just maybe, with a little perspective, we can discover some life lessons in this situation. Maybe even be better because of it. What life lessons? Consider these:
· Life Happens. So take advantage of your situation right now. Don’t spend time regretting what didn’t happen or waiting for something in the future. Enjoy this day, this time together, this moment and be present to it.
· The little things are the best things. Spending time with friends, eating at a restaurant, visiting relatives, going to class or a job, following a daily routine. Be grateful for these simple things, because you will miss them when they are not around.
· Don’t forget this pandemic and how it has affected your life, for you will have an amazing story to tell your children and grandchildren someday.
So remember this time of your life and how this experience has affected you, but don’t dwell there. You are not to live in the past, but are meant to seize the day! And know that your time at W.H.A., whether you have been here since kindergarten or are a recent arrival, is enough for you. You are prepared and ready to leave this place and fully enter the next phase of your life. Make the most of all that is before you! Congratulations, senior class of 2020!
Photo By: Ador Photography www.adoryourwedding.com
Pictured: WHA student Payton Kay Week
