(Atlantic) The students of the class of 2021 are nearing the end of their high school career and soon will walk across the stage with a high school diploma in hand.
The student’s educational experience over the past year and a half has been far from normal. In mid-March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic shuttered schools across the nation. In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds announced a proclamation to close schools for four weeks, followed by another proclamation closing schools for the remainder of the school year.
The effects of the pandemic continued into the 2020-2021 school year with the CDC recommended mask mandates and social distancing limiting certain activities for students. Atlantic High School seniors Anna Wieser, Cameron Church, and Jasmyne Oasay-Waddell all admit they missed participating in certain activities, seeing all of their family members at their respective school activities, and school dances (except for prom), amongst other things.
However, Atlantic Senior Anna Wieser says going through the pandemic has given her a new outlook on some of the simple things in life.
Much like Anna, Cameron Church doesn’t take anything for granted these days.
Jasmyne Oasay-Waddell, moving forward, plans on taking advantage of every opportunity placed in front of her and focus on her health.
Following graduation, Anna Wieser is heading to the University of Northern Iowa to study interior design; Cameron Church will attend DMACC for two years, then pursue a degree in psychology and counseling. Jasmyne Oasay-Waddell plans to attend DMACC and study graphic design.
