Seniors at Emporia High School had a year they won’t soon forget, and their experiences made the bulk of KVOE’s Emporia Showcase on Tuesday.
Seniors had their plans thrown up in the air two months ago, losing prom and activities and seeing plans for graduation still forming in addition to the switch to remote classes. Rylie Williams plans to attend Emporia State University and planning to major in nursing this fall. She says there were “some challenging times,” especially early in the pandemic.
Brandon Keosybounheuang’s plan is to take classes at Flint Hills Technical College and join the military. He admits missing the interaction with his friends, fellow classmates and Emporia High staff.
Conner Hauff offered his thoughts on the year, including all the changes and adaptations the last two months due to coronavirus. Hauff, who is looking forward to attending the University of Kansas to study chemical engineering this fall, says he missed the daily interactions but he credited school faculty and staff for making the transition easier than it could have been.
Besides the change from in-class education to remote classwork, students lost a range of activities, especially prom and spring season performances or sports. Things are shaping up so they won’t lose graduation, but commencement activities are now being delayed until June 7. Principal Dathan Fischer says there will be a two-part ceremony, based on conversations with Lyon County Public Health.
Fischer also said the Class of 2020 deserved high marks for their achievements, including nearly $750,000 in scholarships, nearly 70 students graduating with honors and a grade point average at or above 3.75, 33 students into the National Honor Society and nine students named as Kansas Scholars for having GPAs at or above 3.9 and ACT scores at 30 or above.
Meanwhile, the district’s Grab and Go meal program goes dormant for a week after serving students Tuesday. Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren says students will receive meals Tuesday. The program then shuts down until May 27, when Grab and Go becomes a fixture on weekdays at Village, Walnut and William Allen White. Meal times will be from 11:30 am to 1 pm.
