Being a senior is a rite of passage, a year that students dream about, and is supposed to be a stress-free “best time of their lives.” Not only does being a senior move you to the top of the high school hierarchy, it entails many sentimental and long awaited events that help bond the graduating class before everyone goes their separate ways. For seniors at West Essex, the pandemic comes at a time when they are most in need of fun with their friends to celebrate all of their accomplishments and say their dreaded goodbyes.

“This is a really pivotal time in our lives,” senior Julia Rubenstein said. “There are only a few months with our friends left and it’s truly awful it has to end this way.” 

While seniors are upset about their milestones and senior activities, they are also dealing with the stress of choosing the next paths of their lives. Some have had the luxury of being college committed for months, while the pandemic has forced others to choose without ever having stepped foot on campus. 

“I was faced with a tough decision between a school where I knew what I was getting and one where I really didn’t, even though I’d looked online,” senior Amelia Gendel said. “The compensation of online tours wasn’t the same, but I’m still very happy with my decision.”

Between the loss of such special and traditional events along with the college chaos, the arguably most fun time of a senior’s high school experience has been replaced with boredom, stress and sadness. Despite this, seniors have found the silver lining in being given the opportunity to spend quality family time before they are off on their own. 

“I am devastated that we are missing the things we have looked so forward to,” senior Juliana Hanna said. “On the brighter side, it has been really nice to be able to bond with my family and cherish our time together before I head to TCNJ in the fall.”

While no one knows exactly how long the pandemic will last or what these next few weeks will entail, it will be especially hard for seniors to deal with. Spreading love, from a social distance of course, will be incredibly important to make this time easier for them.

“Senior year wasn’t supposed to end like this,” senior Zoe Offir said. “But we will do our best to make the most of it.”