A year ago on Friday, a state of emergency was declared and Jennings County High School students were sent on spring break one week early.
What started out as a welcomed and extended spring break turned into the cancellation of in-person classes for the rest of the school year.
“I think it was a struggle academically to spend 75% of the year in physical classes and then the remainder of the year virtually," JCHS senior Max Brown said. "It was like two different worlds.”
Juniors and seniors last year had to go without a prom, and graduation was completed virtually. The Class of 2020 was allowed to attend graduation with only their close family members.
The entire fall and winter sports seasons were completed this year, but with severe restrictions. Games had to be televised, as attendance was severely limited.
With COVID-19 numbers declining and vaccines becoming increasingly available, students and staff can look towards the future and hope for the best circumstances for future events.
Prom is scheduled for April 24, and will hopefully happen for the first time since 2019. Graduation, however it will be conducted, is set for May 29.
“In the face of lots of challenges and changes, we are hopeful to focus on the positives that will come out of the pandemic," assistant principal Stephanie Ebbing said. "We’ve learned and grown as a staff and are ready to complete this year on helping our students come out of this stronger.”
Principal Dustin Roller added, "The last year has been incredibly trying on students, families, staff, and our community. The pandemic has caused added stress and pressure from a variety of areas.
“I agree with students that I hope for the world to return to ‘normal’ soon. I hate seeing students not being able to have the full high school experience due to necessary restrictions. It has been amazing though in the last year to see how students and staff have responded to the challenges and changes necessary. It truly shows how JCHS comes together in times of need."
