This year without question is different than any previous school year. 

    The Class of 2021 is going to be missing out on many of the usual activities that every senior class has experienced in the past. Some of the traditions affected include senior sunrise, off-campus lunches and prom.

   As a current senior, this is very upsetting. I have attended Tampa Prep since sixth grade. I have been waiting all these years building up excitement for my senior year. Now, it feels like there’s nothing to look forward to.

    There is still hope for some traditions to still take place in a safe manner. Things could be possibly done differently, such as beach day, signing the rock, 6-word memoirs, and the senior sunrise. 

   “We just need to be creative and find ways to do it safely,” Carl Carlson, Head of Upper School, said.

    The Class of 2019 was the last class to experience a senior year in a completely COVID-free world. Seniors are at a loss after years of work and looking forward to their final year before college. 

  The first major senior event to be impacted by distance learning was the Class of 2020 graduation. Graduation did take place this previous school year, but it was socially distanced on Shimberg Field rather than in Morsani Hall at the Straz Center. 

   “Running up to hug all of my friends, classmates and teachers was something I really wish could have happened,” Sarah MacCormack said, who graduated in May of 2020. The Class of 2021 may not even experience this moment. 

   For many seniors, myself included, sporting events are also a huge part of the year experiencing changes due to the safety protocols on campus. There are changes to games and schedules, some events have limited spectators, and other events have no spectators at all.  

  “These things can’t happen unless we get to a radically different place with the disease,” Carlson said. This means that senior athletes will have a very different last season.

   I’m very let down about my senior sports season. I play on the girl’s varsity basketball team. I was excited because we have new talent this year and it’s my last year of basketball considering I’m not playing in college. COVID-19 is affecting senior night, which normally has a larger crowd and is a very important moment for senior athletes.    

  This year is definitely going to be different, but all we can do is remain positive to make the best of what we’re given. 

“We’re in this together, let’s figure out how to make it fun,” Carlson said.