The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted high school seniors’ last days together throughout the United States and the Salisbury High School Class of 2020 is no different. To better understand the senior class’s opinions about recent events, a survey was sent to the class asking them “What is it like to be the quarantined Class of 2020?”

Many seniors have lost the opportunity to participate in their final spring sport season, go on senior trips and spend time with their friends. Emily Silberman, who plays softball and Lily Schimeneck, who is on the track team, are both missing out on spending their final season with their teammates. Other seniors, like Georgina Skoutelas, are missing out on the opportunity to participate in Emerging Health, a program that allows students to shadow health care professionals and many other seniors are losing opportunities to further their education through internships.

Most of all, seniors are concerned the memories they could have made in these final few weeks, during class, at prom and on senior trips, will be lost.

SHS senior Olivia Hoeing was able to sum-up how the majority of the senior class is feeling. “COVID-19 is disrupting arguably the best part of our high school careers, which includes all the special events that occur during the fourth quarter. Personally, I am missing out on sports and making the most of the last amount of time that we have with our fellow classmates and teachers.”

The senior class was also supposed to spend this spring season preparing for what the next few years would look like.

While some college- bound students have already chosen their campuses, others are struggling to determine which campus is the best fit. As most college campuses have closed for the rest of the spring semester, seniors will have to choose without taking second looks or participating in accepted student days. Many schools have provided online resources for incoming students to explore, but not being able to visit the campus itself continues to impact many seniors’ decisions.

Seniors planning on joining the workforce after high school have also been impacted. Meadow Hoffner reflects there are “not a lot of jobs hiring” because of the current events, which makes future plans unpredictable and Joshua Aungst notes that COVID-19, “makes me realize what jobs are and are not essential to the world.”

Despite all that has happened the last couple of weeks, the Class of 2020 continues to try and look on the bright side.

Emily Ringholm says the best thing to come from COVID-19 is “getting a break from having to physically be at school and getting to spend more time with family.”

Amanda Hirst notes she was able “to do a lot of cleaning and organizing” and many seniors, along with Elizabeth Sirianni state they enjoy “not having to wake up early.”

Most importantly, many seniors note the importance of getting to spend time with family before they move on next year. Ryann Thomson writes, “I know when this is over I am going to be grateful for being able to see people. I have family in Spain which is currently being hit hard, so once I can go and see them I won’t take that time for granted.”

Lastly, the Class of 2020 was asked if they had any other messages they would like to share.

Rosie Palacios says, “I hope to have a graduation ceremony that the Class of 2020 deserves” and Ryann Thomspon writes, “Please listen to the scientists; I would like to have a somewhat good senior year or, more realistically, summer.”

Stay healthy and stay safe, Salisbury.