‘We’ve been through it all.’ Centre County high school seniors share memories, reflections

As graduations start, seniors from across Centre County are sharing their favorite memories and lessons they’ve learned.

The past four years have been marked by social upheaval, economic disruptions and transformation of daily life following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the class of 2022, sophomore year ended suddenly with an abrupt shift to remote learning. When students returned for their junior year, masks and social distancing put a halt to a normal school day and canceled many sports and activities.

Through it all, the class of 2022 still found ways to participate in school activities, spend time with friends and prepare for their next steps.

Students at Saint Joesph’s Catholic Academy celebrated their commencement ceremony on Saturday, with most other school districts hosting ceremonies on June 3.

The Centre Daily Times recently asked high school seniors across Centre County to share their reflections as they prepare to graduate. Here’s a look at what nine seniors said they’ll miss most, how the pandemic impacted them and more.

Favorite senior year memories

“Going to all the sports activities and seeing my best friends compete for the last time, it was bittersweet.” — Angelina Aviles, Bellefonte Area High School

“Playing Monopoly Deal with my friends in study hall instead of doing senior sign out.” — Morgan Regan, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy

“Winning D6 Class A soccer title. Even though I was one among 4 other girls playing with a team of all boys, since the girls couldn’t field a team this year, it is something I will truly never forget.” — Mallory McCauley, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy

“Our senior trip at the Outer Banks.” — Esther Maas, Grace Prep High School

“As seniors we were required to do a senior project, I have cherished the memory of the day that everyone was done presenting and you could see a weight being lifted off our shoulders.” - Hayden Kingshipp, Grace Prep High School

How the class of 2022 stands out

“We are the class that lived through the pandemic, we experienced the normality before and we are experiencing everything going back to that normality now. We have been shaped from it, grown from it, and learned from it.” — Aviles

“We’ve been through it all. We started high school normally, went through the big Covid years and dealt with the challenges it brought on as it happened, and still managed to make this year as normal as we could hope for.” — Regan

“Our ability to have fun under any circumstance.” — Francesca Mellott, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy

“We are extremely tight. Everyone is close with everyone else. I have the best group of friends in the world.” — Samuel Yangula, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy

COVID’s effect

“I wish I had gotten to travel outside of the country.” — Maas

“The normality of everything, sophomore year was shut down by it, last year was not normal, this year got back into normal but it is not the same as freshman year.” — Aviles

“Definitely being able to keep friendships closer. I think we all tried to keep things as normal as we could, but when you can’t experience being in front of that person like you normally could it doesn’t feel as personal or real anymore.” - Regan

“Being able to shadow and volunteer in my field.” — Ava Moriarity, Grace Prep High School

Advice for other students

“Enjoy every minute, every second of your high school experience because, as everyone says, it really does fly by.” — Aviles

“Go to your school events! Some of my favorite memories are attending sports games or dances with my friends.” — Regan

“Get out of your comfort zone and live a little!” — McCauley

“Try new things: musical theatre, sports, and other extracurriculars. These could easily create the best memories of your high school career.” — Mellott

“Put yourself out there and try things. Be genuine. Talk to as many people as you can.” — Ethan Costella, Grace Prep High School

“Work hard but don’t miss out on the opportunities for life long memories. Also it is OK to make mistakes and screw up, it’s actually good for you. Just remember to learn from them.” — Kingshipp

What they’ll miss most

“The people. Not only the people in my senior class, but the teachers really made it what it is and helped so much along the way!” — Regan

“I know I’ll never have a tight knit group as large as my class again. So I’ll miss that closeness I simultaneously enjoy with so many people. It’s the most special thing I’ve ever experienced, and maybe ever will. It’s crazy to feel as loved as I do by so many people. I love my class.” — Yangula

“My friends and the teachers that invested in me.” — Costella

Where are they headed?

Aviles: Penn State

McCauley: West Virginia University

Mellott: University of Pittsburgh

Yangula: Penn State

Maas: Taylor University

Moriarity: Cooks Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Kingshipp: Messiah University

Regan: Pennsylvania College of Technology

Costella: Penn State

This story was originally published May 22, 2022 at 6:00 AM.