Looking toward virtual graduation, ‘resilient’ State High seniors reflect on missed milestones
When Carene Olsson left for spring break, she never expected to finish her high school career online; Auden Yurman spent the year planning how to decorate her graduation cap.
Both were looking forward to walking across stage, wearing their caps and gowns, to receive their diplomas.
But with schools closed and in-person ceremonies canceled due to COVID-19, State College seniors will be celebrating virtually — unsure if they’ll get to say goodbye to their teachers and peers before parting ways. Like many high school seniors across Centre County and the United States, they feel they’re missing out on milestone events.
“I’m trying really hard to keep everything in perspective,” Yurman said. “I’m sad about missing out on everything, and there’s a lot that I know is irreplaceable, but all in all, I am really lucky to be safe.”
A virtual ceremony ‘won’t be the same’
The State College Area School District has canceled prom, and graduation has been postponed. As administrators consider rescheduling commencement for a later date, the class of 2020 will be recognized in an online celebration planned for June 6.
Seniors will participate in a virtual awards ceremony on May 28 where they will receive recognition or scholarships from the district, SCASD Director of Communications Chris Rosenblum said. During the virtual graduation ceremony, administrators and students will deliver speeches, and a profile with each student’s photo, accomplishments and quote will be displayed as names are read.
Students may pick up their diploma on June 8-11 in the courtyard of the high school, or they can choose an administrator or a teacher to deliver their diploma to their house and present it in person. With either option, students can sign up to have photos taken by a professional photographer in front of the high school, Rosenblum said.
Still, Yurman and Olsson know it won’t compare to what they had envisioned for years.
“I remember going to my brother’s graduation and being so excited at the prospect of getting to walk across the stage and get my diploma and take pictures ... with all my friends,” Yurman said. “All year, I’ve been thinking about how I want to decorate my graduation cap. The school is planning a virtual commencement, which will be fun and is a nice sentiment, but won’t be the same.”
Yurman and Olsson were scheduled to attend the music department’s adjudication trip to Boston. Olsson, who is a member of symphonic band, jazz band, master singers and Cecilian Singers, said this was the hardest event for her to have been canceled.
“Not only is it a national competition, it’s a great experience to visit other cities and learn about their histories,” she said.
Yurman, a member of thespians and the diversity and activism club, said student groups have been trying to conduct meetings online, but said they’ve mostly spent time connecting rather than planning events.
“It feels a lot harder to make effective change when we’re all stuck at home,” she said.
Will online learning impact future undergraduate students?
In addition to missing senior traditions and not getting to say goodbye, Yurman said the transition to online learning has been “rough,” saying that a virtual education isn’t the same as in-person instruction.
SCASD has been conducting remote learning for over a month.
“A lot of my classes are heavily discussion-oriented, which really doesn’t translate online, so it feels like I’m missing out on what I should be learning right now,” she said.
State High Principal Curtis Johnson said teachers and seniors are focusing on skills that they need to be successful beyond high school. Teachers are also working on new formats to acknowledge seniors’ accomplishments and provide them with ways to connect with each other, he added.
“Yes, students will miss some of the content that was planned for the last marking period, as will students in all grades,” Johnson said in a statement. “Our seniors are sharing the experiences of millions of students across the country. Of equal importance is the acknowledgment that our seniors have had to accept missing traditions and rites of passage that mark their transition.”
With plans to attend George Washington University in the fall, Yurman said she hopes she’ll be able to move in and start in-person classes.
“I do think we’re missing out on some of the content we should have going into college, especially with the changes that have been made to AP tests and curriculum, but I’m hoping colleges will understand that and be prepared to help us through when we get there next year,” she said.
After high school, Olsson will be attending Penn State with an intended major in international politics, focusing on national security. While online learning has resulted in “a lot less work,” she isn’t worried about being prepared for college.
“I think that once the spring semester started, I was as prepared as I was going to be,” she said. “Obviously, teachers still assign work, and there is a lot of review for APs in the spring, but for the most part, senior spring is a time to not worry about classes and to simply enjoy high school as much as possible.”
Making the best of every situation
The coronavirus posed a new challenge for students and administrators to overcome, but SCASD Class of 2020 President Elliot Sheehan described his peers in one word: resilient.
“We went to the school in a construction project for the first half of our time at State High,” he said. “We crossed between the North and South buildings during snow squalls and trudged through mud and puddles. For the latter half of our high school experience, we got to learn in a beautiful, brand new building.”
Although students were disappointed they couldn’t attend games at Memorial Field, Sheehan said his peers made the best of the situation.
“And look what came out of that — the Beaver Stadium Classic,” he said. “Now, we find ourselves dealing with unfortunate circumstances once again, but I know we’ll get through it, and good things will come at the end of this.”
Rosenblum said the district is working with student leadership to plan a possible class reunion next year.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 9:52 AM.
