This year has changed the lives of many individuals. One group especially affected by the changes resulting from the pandemic are seniors. RCHS Senior Grace Wanovich, along with her classmates, is still adjusting to senior year turning out differently than expected. “My everyday schedule looks really different from last year”, said Wanovich. “I try to wake up early and be ready for school in the morning, but it can get challenging.”

  While seniors have been at RCHS the longest, many are still finding the current school situation to be particularly difficult. “Adjusting to online school has been a lot harder than what I thought,” said Wanovich. “I always knew I procrastinated on my homework, but this has hit a whole different level.” 

Many of the RCHS students have decided to forgo the option of going back to school with the hybrid format this November. While many students may feel that staying completely virtual will be easier, some feel that it is important to try to be in person with classmates, especially if it is their last year at RCHS. “I think we all miss seeing each other and hanging out. I also think that so many people have isolated themselves that they just don’t want to come back and have to socialize, which is creating a really big divide in our class,” said Wanovich. 

In a normal year, seniors would have had the option to tour colleges and apply to them. This year was very different for the seniors who were trying to begin their plans for after graduation. “COVID-19 has taken a big hit in applying to and touring colleges,” said Wanovich. “Normally, spring of junior year is when you begin touring, but that option was completely taken away from us, so we only have online touring and maybe a few colleges that we are able to visit in person. Seniors primarily just have to apply and hope they can tour it at some time before commiting.” 

Despite all of the trials and tribulations of this year, there is still time for the seniors, and all of the students, to make 2020 a great year. 2021 brings with it the hope of long lasting memories, prom, college acceptances, and graduation celebrations for the seniors.