Having a baseball season was one of the bright spots for Joey VanDette, senior at Fredonia High. Photo by Ron Szot
By John D’Agostino
dagostino@observertoday.com
The members of the high school class of 2021 have had a grueling – and often bittersweet – 15 months behind them. From the first shutdown due to COVID-19 in March 2020 as juniors to this year’s fourth quarter final exams, this collection of seniors not only endured loads of uncertainty, they also missed so much in one of life’s greatest milestones.
There was no homecoming. Winter balls or scheduled dances were never considered until April. The sporting season was shortened with a few sporting events held at unlikely times of the year. Finally, the reduction in face-to-face classes that included lessons through Zoom or Google Classroom made this once-in-a-lifetime journey even less personal.
However, despite all the mayhem created by a malicious virus, these older class members endured. Your reward comes this weekend as more than 1,000 Chautauqua County seniors receive their diplomas for all they have accomplished in an unprecedented amount of time.
With New York State reopening at a rapid pace due to the surge in vaccination, there will be opening ceremonies and many graduation ceremonies. It’s a completely different situation than what Class of 2020 experienced last year, when nobody really knew how to proceed.
Still, there must be a lot of mixed feelings.
Maureen Donahue, director of Southwestern Central Schools, greeted the group in a letter on Thursday in the closing section of the Post-Journal. “This class has demonstrated its ability to adapt and be creative in the learning process while supporting each other on the changed path that you have all been forced to take.” She wrote. “You have faced challenges and growth opportunities that previous graduates couldn’t stand. Your flexibility and ingenuity will serve you well in all of your future college, career, and life endeavors. “
Other school principals expressed similar views. How could you not be impressed with the work and attitude of these young adults?
Joey VanDette, a graduate of Fredonia High School, will graduate on Sunday. For the second year in a row, the ceremonies for his district will be held at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, held at the State University of New York’s traditional Rockefeller Arts Center in Fredonia.
In an interview earlier this week, VanDette admitted some disappointment that she’d missed the full experience. However, he remained optimistic during this unusual time in everyone’s life.
“It went as well as it could have done” he said. “It’s hard to start the year… when some people are back in school and some aren’t. … It seems to me that towards the end of the year … in the fourth quarter when everyone started going back, things got back to normal a little. “
There is still a lot of feeling about what could have been for all of these people. Once the kids get into their high school years, they look forward to being at the peak – having that moment in the sun and turning 12.
“At first it was pretty rough” said VanDette, looking back at the fall and distance learning model. “Everyone always told me that senior year was going to be your best year. With the classmates it should be more fun with freedom. Most of it is tough to take away. “
One of the highlights for VanDette and several other students was their return to athletics. VanDette, a standout baseball player who plans to keep playing the sport when he joins SUNY Fredonia next year, was enjoying his moments with the team.
“I really enjoy doing sports so that we can have our season, even if it didn’t go quite as planned.” he said.
There’s no denying the impact COVID-19 has had on all of these unsung heroes. Much of the journey to adulthood has been taken away. VanDette, despite the ups and downs this year, doesn’t want the class to face the same set of obstacles by 2022.
“Hopefully the (seniors) can go back to normal next year” he said.
John D’Agostino is editor of OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Times Observer in Warren, Pennsylvania. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, extension. 253.
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