‘Senior Sunrise’: celebrate seniors COVID style
Seniors of the class of 2021 gather on the football field to enjoy donuts and hang out. Masks were worn and social distancing guidelines were enforced.
October 26, 2020
An 8 a.m. wake up call had the class of 2021 bundled up in jackets and blankets to gather on the football field, enjoy donuts and watch the sunrise together. Labeled the “Senior Sunrise,” it was the first of its kind to happen at Stillwater Oct. 2. The student council planned it in an effort to celebrate the seniors and be able to bring them together while being able to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
With the recent announcement that the football season was to return with the stipulation of no fans besides family, many seniors and students were left disappointed. Attending football games is a longstanding tradition and for seniors, “making it to the fence” is a right of passage. Due to COVID-19, students have had to get innovative with how to celebrate.
“I think that the seniors need to, including myself, create their own fun, it is not going to be at all like last year with no school dances or football games,” senior Holly Knowlan said.
Students of all grades have been affected, but specifically the seniors of 2021 have had it hard with their junior prom being cancelled last year, and their entire senior year being changed. Not being able to have school events has been tough for many, but students are trying to make the most of it nonetheless.
“If I could tell my freshman self one thing as a senior it would be to truly ‘live in the moment’ because you never know if it might be your last,” senior Jackson Wertish explained.
Many showed up for the event with a positive attitude and smiles, ready to enjoy whatever they can, however they can. An important aspect of being a senior is trying to make the most of what is offered, as reality sets in that it is the last year of high school.
Longtime and beloved business teacher Debbie Drommerhausen felt, “So proud of everybody and how we are making this work,” and realizes how tough COVID-19 has been on everyone, but at least the community is working together.
The Senior Sunrise marked how the district is working to still create a fun environment for celebration while adapting to regulations. It was able to be outside where students could spread out, but still be with friends.
Wertish thought it was a well put-together and nice gesture for the seniors of 2021 who are truly missing out on numerous activities and memories that come along with a normal senior year.
Being able to hangout with friends is something most students look forward to and this event allowed them to do so. The event fostered school spirit and the students who used it as an opportunity to have fun benefitted from themselves.
“Some people will have negative attitudes about this stuff and say it is dumb, but when you got a group to go it was fun,” Knowlan added.
“People are doing it, they are wearing their masks, and they are walking the one-ways, I think the students are getting it,” Drommerhausen said. Though not every senior showed up for the event, the ones who did represented the spirit still ingrained in the graduating class and the willingness they have to work around their obstacles and stay safe. COVID-19 rages on, but Stillwater is pushing through as best they can.
