As the Class of 2024 approaches graduation, it’s a fitting time for this year’s Seniors to reflect on their notable entrance to high school that the COVID-19 Pandemic largely dictated. This year’s graduating class is the last group of students within EHS whose high school experience was directly influenced by COVID, with their Freshman facing obstacle after obstacle due to the pandemic. 

Regardless of whether they chose the hybrid schedule (one in-person A-Day and B-Day a week, the rest online) or the fully remote schedule, most 2024 Seniors could agree that the lack of human connection is what made the 2020-2021 school year so difficult. Even though Isaac Lutalo and Cynethia Brooker had different schedules during their Freshman year, both felt that the lack of human interaction brought out the worst in people during this time.  

“I’d definitely say the worst part was the lack of socialization and many kids not actually learning,” said Brooker. “A  lot of kids were likely to succumb to cheating in class.”

Lutalo can relate, but more specifically felt detached from peers because of the amount of screen time that the 2020-2021 school year required. 

“The worst part was losing the ability to socialize with people in person and having everything through a screen,” said Lutalo. “I felt alienated in a way since the only people I got to interact with were people in my immediate household.” 

That being said, most kids, teens, and adults can agree that the flexibility that came from this time was something everyone could’ve gotten used to and is certainly missed today. Along with that, Paige Estep has learned self-regulation because of how easy it would’ve been to fail her classes with all of the flexibility given to the Class of 2024. 

“The best part [of remote learning] was probably the lack of busy work,” said Estep. “I had a lot of major assignments I could get done whenever and still do things outside of that during the day. I have learned better self-discipline for sure.”

Upon reflecting on the pros and cons of hybrid and remote learning, Rayan Yassine felt that her Sophomore year was significantly harder, both socially and mentally, because of the 2020-2021 school year. 

“Going into Sophomore year felt like it was my first year of high school, so having to go into the regular school schedule was way more tiring than usual. Looking back, I would miss the hybrid schedule because being in class for 94 minutes seemed wasteful,” said Yassine. “I also felt like I didn’t have the chance to meet new people that I would’ve had during my Freshman year. I think because of the hybrid year everyone either already met people or stayed in their old groups.”

Outside of the year following the hybrid or remote schedule, Brooker has seen her academic career impacted by remote learning even as a Senior. 

“I wouldn’t say this is generally a good thing, but I stopped caring about school and lost interest in my academic success,” said Brooker. 

On the other hand, Lutalo feels he grew even outside of academics because of what he learned through his Freshman year. 

“The biggest thing I learned from that school year that has impacted me throughout my whole high school career is that exposure is key to development. A lot of things were limited my Freshman year, but I got the chance to join a few clubs and tried my hardest to embrace the things I did have access to,” said Lutalo. “I learned that taking a step into the uncomfortable can sometimes be the best for you because you never know the result. Even if it does result in something bad you still get the chance to take away a lesson that can help you be successful in the future.”

On top of these individual reflections, while hybrid and remote learning were both incredibly frustrating at times, most Seniors can sympathize with educators and can agree that education was handled as well as possible at the time. 

“I think it was a mess but validly so,” said Estep. “The curriculum was inconsistent and the grading system was crazy but overall I learned what I needed to learn for the most part.”

Lutalo is in agreement with Estep because of how important it is to consider education expectations while looking at the safety of students and their families. 

“It’s really hard to design a way for students to get an optimal education while being under the pressure of a virus,” Lutalo said.“I feel like hybrid was the right choice for schools to make, but also keeping in mind that COVID was still a very contagious virus and making precautions to combat it.”

Hopefully, the world never has to experience what the Class of 2024 and the rest of society had to go through because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This year’s graduating class has exemplified the dedication needed to adapt to online learning and then back to in-person learning, and will hopefully apply these lessons to their lives after graduation. Congrats to the EHS Class of 2024!