By Katelynn White
NASHVILLE, TN — The COVID-19 pandemic restructured this last year of school for most high school students. Everyone had to participate in virtual courses. Parents and teachers wondered anxiously how students would cope with virtual learning. Students were frustrated with the sudden change but still found the courage to persevere.
As the school year ended, standardized testing and graduation ceremonies were the topics of discussion.
Isaiah Burns, a football player from McGavock High School said, “Participating in school virtually put a lot of pressure on me when trying to enter to the next grade level and football felt terrible because we couldn’t workout.”
For some students, continuing to the next grade was an important goal to reach, but for others, it was graduating high school.
Two now-former students from East Nashville Magnet School were eager to share their thoughts on graduation.
Cashaun Patton, the salutatorian from East Nashville Magnet School, said, “It felt good to have actual graduation better than we could say for students last year. I feel accomplished. I graduated top of my class.”
Despite Metro Public Schools committing to holding in-person graduation ceremonies, students could not help but feel a difference when attending their ceremony.
East Nashville Magnet School honors graduate Amiya Wright said, “I felt overwhelmed with not being able to jump around and closely celebrate with my friends and classmates.”
Both students have decided to attend Tennessee State University this Fall.
The yearly graduation ceremonies are a time to celebrate students’ success, but this year was special because of the obstacles that were placed in front of the seniors.