On March 13^th, Maryland’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced that due to COVID-19, Maryland schools would be closed for two weeks.

This closing has since been extended to the end of the school year. School closings due to COVID-19 have led to online schooling with weekly virtual classes and assignments for students at Dulaney High School. School closing, self-isolation and the cancellation of a multitude of events have left Dulaney students both angry and saddened.

Mikayla Mellis, senior class president, expresses her disappointment with the current situation.

“I am heartbroken for our class about the cancellation of our senior prom at The Assembly Room and the pending status of our graduation. We have poured our heart and soul into these past four years so that we could have these events,” said Mellis.

In regard to end-of-year senior activities, seniors at Dulaney not only face a cancelled prom, but also a virtual graduation with possible in-person celebrations.

In addition to these missed opportunities, seniors such as Jonathan Fragoso have been struggling with self-isolation in their last days as Dulaney students.

“As the last days of my senior year goes by, it’s sad to see the time fly by. The virus has taken the only time I had left with my friends and family,” said Fragoso.

Juniors such as 2021 Class President Carmen Roy have different concerns for their class.

“Junior prom was supposed to bring in ten grand, but now the board needs ways to make up for this gap for our senior prom,” said Roy.

Though the Class of 2021 does face a potential fundraising deficiency, juniors are still optimistic.

Junior Jaedyn Crum is thankful for the opportunities she has experienced during this time.

“COVID is really giving me a chance to better myself… It gives me more time to think about my future,” said Crum.

Class council member Taylor Hetherington corroborates this, noting that quarantine has taught her valuable lessons and made her class more resilient.

“After this quarantine, I won’t be able to take things for granted like I did before…I look forward to a promising senior year with a new perspective,” said Hetherington.

Similarly, the senior class has maintained a sense of hope during self-isolation.

“Our class has always found a way to overcome any challenges, and this situation is no exception… The most important thing right now is that everyone stays healthy, that all the seniors know that our class has an abundance of love and support and that we haven’t been forgotten,” said Mellis.

With this spirit of hope and persistence, Mellis and the senior class council, assisted by class advisors Brian Velten and Rene Heaps and Coach Stephen Labbe, recently organized a socially distanced pick-up of caps and gowns.

Upon driving into the parking lot, each senior was greeted with streamers and balloons in blue and silver, 2020’s class colors, as well as a sign saying, “We love you, 2020.”

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