After learning about Gov. Laura Kelly’s decision to cancel school for the remainder of the year, senior and student body president Annabelle Nitz said the toughest part of the situation for her was being unable to see all of her and her classmates’ hard work pay off. 

“I really struggled with the idea that some of the things we had worked so hard for, we wouldn’t get to celebrate them. We [wouldn’t] get to do the fun part of high school,” Nitz said. 

In particular, Nitz said she talked with friends about not being able to host and go to graduation parties as well as not open up their time capsules together, saying how those events are more important to the seniors than just graduation itself. 

“It’s not about walking across the stage [at graduation] that is not what the seniors are mad about,” Nitz said. “It is all of those memories that you can’t really make up for.” 

However upsetting the canceling of school is to her, Nitz did say the Kansas government made the right decision, given the severity of COVID-19. 

“I think that this is definitely the right call, this is a really scary situation. [It is] not really something that any of us have ever experienced and it is definitely something that needs to be taken seriously,” Nitz said. 

As for her role, Nitz said she is turning to social media to communicate with the student body. Nitz posted a message on the student government Instagram page, @bvnwstugo, on March 18 saying how she hoped the student body could all end this school year with positivity and resilience. 

Senior Emily Farthing, who had been looking forward to her senior prom and graduation, said the news that school was canceled brought instant heartbreak. 

 “You work for 12 years to have this last semester as a senior, to have graduation, to have senior prom and to have this last season of sports,” Farthing said. “To have all this ripped away in a second was pretty heartbreaking.”

Farthing, a captain for the girls varsity soccer team, said it will be difficult to miss her last high school sports season. Farthing has played soccer for 14 years and said she was excited to finish her last season on a high note. She said the team had a positive outlook and is saddened that they’re unable to fulfill their goal of a successful season.

“Missing the soccer season is definitely the toughest part of this situation,” Farthing said. “We had a lot of talent and a lot of excitement around this season and to not have that come to fruition is real tough.” 

Senior Danya Radhi said there are many things she would have done differently knowing that her last year of high school would end abruptly. 

“I wish I didn’t let senioritis get the best of me because a lot of days I would get signed out or think ‘I can’t wait to graduate,’” Radhi said. “I should have made the most from that time I had, rather than moping around and wishing it was over, because now it is over faster than I thought it would be.”

Although Radhi said she is upset with the situation, she understands there is nothing she can do to change it. Looking long term, Radhi said she hopes that she will be able to have a fun summer with her friends and even though she is scared, Radhi said she is doing her best to look on the bright side. 

“I am trying to stay safe in my own house and take care of myself because I feel like self care is really important right now,” Radhi said. “Even though I am really scared right now, I’m trying to keep a level head and stay positive and hope that things will get back to normal and this is only temporary.”