Dear High School Seniors,
I write this blog with tears in my eyes when I think about this tragic time that we are in. When I reflect back on my own senior year, the last few months were the restful, relaxing time before leaving for college. I got to spend time with friends and be with the teachers that impacted my life the most. I cannot imagine the sorrow that you all are feeling not getting to experience the same thing that so many generations before you have. However, there is hope in knowing that there is a whole group of people surrounding you, supporting you, and loving you through this time. My thoughts and my prayers are with all of you. Now here are a few messages from our seniors to seniors to help encourage all of us during this uncertain time.
Message 1:
I suppose I never realized how important a formal graduation ceremony would be to me until I was faced with the possibility of not having one. That’s probably the case for most seniors, like myself, regarding our own high school graduations, college graduations, proms, senior trips, etc.
I don’t think that anyone who isn’t directly experiencing these worries firsthand as a senior can truly comprehend how disappointed we all are. (Believe me, I’ve cried at least five times over all of this.) Yet, just because we may not get to walk across a stage in a cap and gown doesn’t mean we are any less of a graduate.
Say we do have a graduation ceremony: With all we’ve endured in the last couple of months, the support we will have from all around the world will be outrageous because every single student who was scheduled to graduate this year will get to walk across a stage and claim their accomplishments.
Say we don’t have a graduation ceremony: With all this adjusting to social media the world has had to quickly learn, the support we will have from all around the world will be outrageous because every single student who was scheduled to graduate this year will somehow be recognized on some platform and claim their accomplishments.
At the end of the day, no matter how we received that diploma, every graduate can proudly say they met their credit requirements and we can show that diploma off in every Instagram post we make for the rest of our lives just because we can. (Plus, I’m sure there’s a YouTube video out there explaining how to make your own cap and gown from fabrics sold at Jo-Ann. That might be an interesting way to spend our time while we’re all stuck at home.) We will be part of history books, as ours is the only class to experience a pandemic like COVID-19 so close to our final days of high school.
This may be a lesson of how to internally validate ourselves, as well. As someone who functions off of external approval, in the midst of this chaos, I am learning to be proud of myself for all that I’ve done in school, regardless if anyone else acknowledges it too.
Maybe High School Musical set our expectations too high but Troy and Gabriella never let us down when they sang, “We’re All in This Together”!
Message 2:
To my fellow high school seniors, this last semester has become a disaster. All the things that we have looked forward to throughout all of our childhood have now been suddenly cancelled due to this pandemic. We all were looking forward to dressing up for prom. We all were looking forward to being recognized for all of our hard work that went into school. We all wanted those memories of our last moments of high school. But now, we all spent the last days at school without even knowing it. This is upsetting; I know because I am there with you guys. In this chaos, there is one thing to remember; it is all a part of God’s plan. Even though we cannot seem to find a reason why this happened, all faith must be put in God’s hands. And do not be disappointed about not having recognition for all the work you have done. Your fellow classmates and peers are all cheering for you and congratulating you. Seniors around the world are feeling the way we are right now. You are not alone. Put trust in God for the future and he will guide the way.
“For we live by faith, not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Parents, as you already know, this time away from school is not a “vacation” for any student, especially our seniors. They are experiencing something right now that, no matter how hard we try, we just cannot understand. But we can try to provide support and comfort in the unknown. So, when your child cries, cry with them because they are going through a loss. When they sit in silence not knowing what to do, sit with them. Be present in their life right now at a time when nothing seems right. I can’t say that will fix the problem, but there is healing in community. We will all get through this together, one day at a time. Seniors, I know this seems like the worst thing ever, but have faith knowing that you have the rest of your life ahead of you. So keep your chins held high and keep trusting in Jesus. All I know to say is you’ll make it through this. It’s hard but you’ll make it. I love you, everyone at Legacy loves you. And we are so proud of all of you.
Pastor Will
