By Clark Campbell
Everything cancelled. We have all faced this reality recently, but Tempe Prep seniors have been hit harder than most. Although Tempe Prep seniors have dealt with a ton of disappointments and setbacks, they have had some bright moments. Seniors have had some of their school year, last year’s prom, academic and athletic field days, and other memorable moments cancelled, but not all is lost. With restrictions lifting, more events are opening up for our TPA seniors.
The start of their senior year, the Class of 2021 was able to start the year with a “Senior Sunrise.” They were able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise, while also being able to connect with friends they haven’t seen in a while. Senior Kelly Clark says, “Senior sunrise was so much fun and a great way to hang out with friends during the pandemic.” It was a great way to start a memorable school year.
As the school year progressed, Covid numbers rose and fell without warning. But recently with the Covid vaccine release to the seniors, options have opened up a bit more. Just a couple weeks ago, the seniors were able to celebrate their mark for 60 school days left with a lunch filled with cupcakes, soda, cake, and more. They were also granted with their caps and gowns for the upcoming graduation ceremony. But that was a while ago, and now the seniors have just under 15 school days left!
A couple weeks ago the seniors were able to have another gathering. They had a donut breakfast and were gifted their senior signs that they are able to place in their front yards. Ridley Diez de Medina, another TPA senior, says “I liked the donuts and had a good time.”
This year has brought many twists and turns, but luckily some events have stayed constant for our seniors. Although last year’s prom was cancelled, this year the seniors get a prom of their very own! They’ll get to party the night away and live up the nights they missed. Senior President of Student Life Maya Kostov says, “This year’s prom will be great! The seniors won’t know what hit them.”
But the fun doesn’t stop there, this year the Senior Trip was supposedly planned to be cancelled as so many other events, but through some tight maneuvering, the trip is back on! The seniors get to travel to Washington D.C. and tour all the Smithsonian and other magnificent monuments. However, due to the trip, the seniors will have to miss some things: Final Exams. It’s a real shame, but while the seniors are off in D.C., they will be missing finals.
But, these resilient seniors absolutely deserve the break! They have had to struggle with hybrid learning during their most important years in high school, and a break from finals is well-deserved. So let’s hear it for our Tempe Prep seniors and let’s give them one last hurrah for all their hard work and their incredible determination.