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Graduates
High school seniors graduated into a world no one could prepare them for.
Their transition into adulthood began clouded in uncertainty amidst a spreading pandemic. Much of what is to come remains in question, but they recognize the only way to move forward: adapt and persevere.
These are the memories, takeaways, and hopes of 20 seniors from McKinney High School’s class of 2020.
Dear McKinney ISD Community,
Samar
Samar and her friends were spending their spring break in Colorado when they received an email from Collin College — where McKinney High School students take dual credit courses — notifying students that the break would be extended for another week due to the emergence of COVID-19.
Samar
We were like, ‘Okay wow, this is actually a really serious thing. Everything’s going to be different. Are they going to close airports? Are they going to close down states?’ We just had no idea, and we were kind of scared but at the same time we were kind of laughing about it, happy at the fact that we didn’t have to go back to school.”
“We were like, ‘Okay wow, this is actually a really serious thing. Everything’s going to be different. Are they going to close airports? Are they going to close down states?’ We just had no idea, and we were kind of scared but at the same time we were kind of laughing about it, happy at the fact that we didn’t have to go back to school.”
Maxx left his backpack leaning on the side of his bed, prepared for whenever the next school day would be.
Maxx
The return date continued to get delayed as Stay at Home orders extended, and Maxx’s backpack remained unmoved, still holding the books, journals, and snacks he had to get him through a typical day.
The return date continued to get delayed as stay-at-home orders extended, and Maxx’s backpack remained unmoved — still holding the books, journals, and snacks he had to get him through a typical day.
Maxx
In the beginning I thought it was just going to be a week or two… But then after the next couple of days, it just kept growing and growing. So I was like, ‘Dang. I might actually be out of school for the final year of my high school career.’ ”
Lucas
March 6, 2020, marked the last day of in-person school. Lucas and his Computer Science Club mates were preparing to leave for Houston that Friday to compete in Codewars, a high school computer programming competition.
We were all in the room after school, ready to load the bus, when our teacher saw the email that they’d actually cancelled the event this year. We had all these supplies and stuff that we were ready to load into the bus, and then we just…didn’t.”
“It’s kind of odd thinking that one day before spring break would be the last day you get to see those people, and we didn’t really even know it. We never said any kind of goodbyes or wished each other luck. We said bye for that day, and then it was over.”
Lucas
March 6, 2020, marked the last day of in-person school. Lucas and his Computer Science Club mates were preparing to leave for Houston that Friday to compete in Codewars, a high school computer programming competition.
“We’re like, Okay wow this is actually a really serious thing. Everything’s going to be different. Are they going to close airports? Are they going to close down states? We just had no idea, and we were kind of scared but at the same time we were kind of laughing about it, happy at the fact that we didn’t have to go back to school… It was a mix of excitement but also fear at the same time, using the excitement to mask that fear.”
Elham
Elham
When we were in school, we were just like go go go. After that it was nothing. It went from all of that to nothing. I would always be in my bed, watching something, and I was just like, is this how it’s going to be? Am I just not ever going to do anything? That was the most unmotivating time I feel like I’ve ever had.”
Abby
I was really excited for graduation and being able to walk across the stage. It’s something you see as a little kid. I worked really hard in high school, and I was really excited to finally be appreciated for all my hard work. That moment where you just throw the cap in the air…it just seems so nice [to have] a final hurrah for everything that’s happened, and we didn’t get that. I just don’t think you can try to recreate that sense in a new way.”
Abby
“I was really excited for graduation and being able to walk across the stage, it’s something you see as a little kid. I worked really hard in high school and I was really excited to finally be appreciated for all my hard work. That moment where you just throw the cap in the air… It just seems so nice [to have] a final hurrah for everything that’s happened and we just didn’t get that. I just don’t think you can try to recreate that sense in a new way.”