Various members of the classes of 2020 face COVID-19 uncertainties

By CHRIS MORROW

The last couple of months of high school is a special time for a senior. There is prom, senior trip, spring sports and many other memorable moments that all culminate in graduation. Those are times many of us cherish. However, because of steps taken to contain COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) those last few weeks might look very different for the Class of 2020.

"I am a little worried about not having prom or graduation," said Lamar High School senior Marlie Miller. "This makes me sad because as a senior you're supposed to get to enjoy these last things together as a senior class."

Liberal High School senior Kendall Krueth is naturally an upbeat kind of guy, but the current circumstances have him down.

"This COVID-19 stuff really stinks. It has made a mess of the end of our senior year, but it has made a mess of everyone's life right now too. We are all healthy so far, so we shouldn't complain," he explained.

Schools across Missouri have been out for two weeks and it looks as though there will be another month of empty hallways before things regain any semblance of normalcy. And that is a best-case scenario.

"It is kind of rough to think that all of the things normal seniors would be doing, we aren't going to be doing. I know it affects other classes too, but they will have next year to do things. We will never get this opportunity again," Krueth said. “It kind of twists you up inside. We know this is the end (of high school), and we can't do anything about it. We just have to focus on the things we did get to do, but it still kind of twists you up inside."

Golden City's Ivan Edson agrees.

"I feel some regret from missing out on the activities and on making memories with my friends. However, I do believe the steps being taken to socially distance ourselves are appropriate."

As difficult as it can be to practice "social distancing," Miller says it's the right move.

"I think the steps and decisions that the government are making are appropriate, because they are just trying to keep as many people healthy as they can and they are trying their best to stop the virus from spreading," she said.

One thing that goes without saying is that the Class of 2020 knows their way around technology.

"Snapchat and texting allows me to stay in contact with friends," Krueth said. 

Edson echoes those sentiments:

"I've been staying in contact with all my friends. We just talk over our group chat and discuss things whenever they come up. For the most part, I've been staying inside, although I do my best to get outside to enjoy the nice spring weather."

Miller says that she takes advantage of the video-chat application, FaceTime, which enables her to see her friends.

Technology not only allows students to stay in touch, it's allowing them to continue their education from home.

"Mrs. (Pam) Clemensen is now teaching my physics class on-line and I was already taking Speech, English and Personal Finance on line," said Krueth.

Schools across Missouri are developing innovative ways to reach and teach their students during this time. That includes the three Barton County schools.

Miller and Edson also take online classes.

These are frightening times for many, including these three members of the Class of 2020. They and their classmates may still be students for a couple of months, but they are also in a unique position to teach the rest of us a lesson about doing the right thing and staying positive when faced with losing something important like the chance to walk across a stage and be handed a high school diploma.

"I am worried to the degree that I am being proactive. The best I can do is keep my mind occupied and hope that other people are also being proactive enough to not spread the virus," said Edson. "When things finally clear up, we'll hopefully find the time to hang out again."

"It's something that my classmates and I have to deal with the best we can," Miller said.