This year’s graduating high school seniors will be entering a world forever changed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus - COVID-19.

Their last year in school - or, in many cases, their virtual or hybrid senior year from home - was marked by the absence of in-person proms, drama club plays and having parents and loved ones attend whatever sporting events were held.

Members of the Class of 2021 will be entering a world where more college classes will be offered virtually, where masks may still be required, at least for awhile, and where employers continue to offer work-from-home jobs as a way to save on overhead (office rent, utilities, etc.).

For those seeking a future in the medical, EMS or nursing fields, a COVID-19 variant outbreak or another unforeseen pandemic is a very real possibility.

These soon-to-be graduates, however, have been tested by fire and have survived whatever obstacles were put in their path.

More importantly, members of the Class of 2021 have thrived, showing their creativity in various ways to overcome the challenges of not being able to meet in person, indoors.

Zoom became a staple of staying in contact with friends, and play practice was held outside in a park.

Graduation day will soon be here. Local high school graduates will leave behind their childhoods and assume the mantle of leadership that awaits them.

Perhaps one of this year’s graduates will discover a cure for the coronavirus, maybe a cure for cancer.

Graduation for local high schools is a follows:

·Northwestern Lehigh High School will have an in-person commencement ceremony 7 p.m. June 4 in Tiger Stadium. Rain date is June 5.

·Parkland High School’s commencement ceremony will be 7 p.m. June 8 in the PPL Center, 701 Hamilton St., Allentown.

·Emmaus High School will have graduation 1 p.m. June 13 at the PPL Center.

·Salisbury High School’s graduation will be 6 p.m. June 8 at the high school. Rain date is 6 p.m. June 9.

·Northampton Area High School’s graduation is 7 p.m. June 4 at Al Erdosy Stadium on the district campus.

·Whitehall High School’s graduation ceremony will be 7 p.m. June 7 at the PPL Center. Doors open 6:15 p.m. for guests.

·Catasauqua High School’s graduation will be held 10 a.m. June 5 at the high school.

We wish all the graduates well and much success in whatever path they take.

Deb Palmieri

editor

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press