Willoughby-Eastlake Schools seniors navigate the old and new

By Patricia Nugent

The highly anticipated senior year of high school should be a fond collection of “lasts.” The last homecoming game, last class trip, last dance…all culminating in tossing your cap in the air when graduation finally commences.

However, this year’s senior class saw many plans dashed due to the pandemic. While uncertainty may seem like the only constant since March 2020, many students have silver-lining stories to tell.

We caught up with McKenna Payne and Nicolas Woodin, the senior class presidents of Eastlake North High School and Willoughby South High School respectively.

“Between having classes go virtual last March, then reopen in August, then go back to virtual and then onto a hybrid system, it’s been a pretty crazy time,” says McKenna. “From a leadership perspective, our challenge has been motivating our fellow students to focus on the positive.”

She credits the teachers and administration for keeping their mindset and spirits upbeat and looking forward to the future, even with plans changing day to day.

“We weren’t sure if we could have a prom or graduation, but now we can with precautions taken,” she says.

Nicolas has one word to describe the past year: unique.

“Even though it’s been challenging socially to try to stay connected with other students, the experience has also bound us in a way that wouldn’t have happened otherwise,” he says. “While many of our traditions as seniors have been cancelled, such as the homecoming dance, others, including sports seasons, prom and graduation, are taking place with modifications. I credit the administration and teachers for being able to adapt so well to the huge task that was thrown at them.”

“In the end, through the struggle, I feel we came together stronger than ever,” says McKenna, who plans to study early elementary special education at Bowling Green State University in the fall. Nicolas plans to enter the military and study computer science and business.

Look for these monthly stories to cover topics from grades K-12 in the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools System. Find out more at WESchools.org.