Seniors across Kentucky are facing the reality that the end of their high school experience is something they never expected. One Lexington student still asks what’s the best way to recognize 12 years of education during this time of cornavirus.
Eleanor Davis is co-president of Dunbar High School’s senior class. She’s been a class president for the last three years. Davis says she has a passion for student involvement and student voice. The Lexington senior admits an abrupt stop in traditional classroom instruction was jarring. “I know other grades are just so excited that they are out of school, but being a senior it’s been really hard. You know I’ve gone through 12 years of schooling and for it to end on a random Friday in March, you know that’s kind of a tough pill to swallow,” said Davis.
Davis said she realizes it’s a tough situation and understands the severity of COVID-19. Still, the central Kentucky teenager would like to see some type of in-person graduation ceremony this summer, maybe breaking up her class of more than 500 into much smaller socially distanced groups. But, Davis understands school administrators and the governor’s hesitancy. “They’re just so worried about we don’t want them to break the rules. Well I also feel it’s really sad cause I know a good 95% of the class wouldn’t break the rules, you know including myself. So, I think it’s so sad to punish those kids who wouldn’t break the rules and are really begging for something special for graduation,” said Davis.
Davis noted a drive through graduation program would be difficult with such a large senior class and she’s not sure about a virtual graduation. As far as the at home learning experience, Davis said it can be tough to get motivated and adds, quote, “online school is no joke.”
Here's more with Eleanor Davis about coronavirus in her senior year of high school:
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