Spring of senior year is a time that every kid looks forward to. Underclassmen watch seniors enjoying senior night for sports, senior skip day, the senior prank, senior search, prom, senior awards and graduation. 

Not only is it a fun few months, but it is a memorable and meaningful time to commemorate the 12 years of schooling that students have completed.

Due to the COVID-19 quarantine, though, seniors this year are unable to experience the best few months of high school. 

I feel as though I speak on behalf of all the seniors when I say that it feels horrible to have these celebrations stripped from us just when we were about to enjoy them. Five years of elementary school, three years of middle school and four years of high school… just to have our most exciting celebrations and traditions cancelled. 

On the field, many seniors unknowingly played our last high school game last year, as we are missing out entirely on our senior spring sports season, a very memorable and emotional time, which some of us have been looking forward to since their freshman year.

Although these circumstances are both untimely and unfortunate for many of us, it is important to think about the bigger picture. People are falling extremely ill, witnessing friends, family and loved ones die, and losing their jobs, while many of us are healthy. 

It is okay to be sad about our senior year and talk about our losses as a class, but it is also imperative that we do not forget about the positive impact that comes from the cancellations of our events. Because of the closings, cancellations and quarantining, there are fewer coronavirus cases than there would be. 

Fortunately, the Beachwood staff is working hard to accommodate the seniors and make us feel as acknowledged as possible. They are working on projects to recognize the class of 2020 and trying their best to reschedule or modify the important events that have been cancelled such as prom and graduation. 

As a community, we are living through a historical event. We are all in this together, and we must come together in this confusing time and be there for one another. We don’t know what our neighbors and friends are experiencing during this time, and it is important for all of us to understand this and be sympathetic for one another.