On April 23, 2020, the governor of Minnesota announced that the 2020 school year would end using distance online learning. With that left OHS seniors and seniors across the state feeling heartbroken because all of their lasts got canceled: Spring sports, prom, graduation, last day of high school, spring theater show, and more.

The end of senior year is memorable in so many ways. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments made in the last 12 years of education, and the start of a new chapter of life. The last few months of high school are spent preparing for the future while saying goodbye to the past. Senior Carly Christenson said, “I understand why we have to end our school year like this but I am sad about missing my senior prom, the last chance dance and seeing my teachers. I feel that I am missing out on what is supposed to be the best part of your high school career.” Times are hard as is and can be even more grueling when students know they are missing out on so much.

Seniors in spring sports or theater were prepared to say goodbye to something they were passionate about after the last game, meet or show, not before it even started. Senior Jaden Dallenbach has played baseball since the age of five and said, “I hate that I could not play this baseball season because it was the last thing with all my buddies and I will miss the team.” The abrupt end to his baseball career left him and his teammates feeling unsatisfied. Senior Kayla Mollenhauer was planning on being a part of the spring play this year and was looking forward to her last show of twelve. Mollenhauer said, “It’s very bittersweet to think I had my last closing night without knowing it. This was the department that showed me what I want to do for the rest of my life.” High school sports, clubs, and departments help shape students and encourage them to grow in something that they find enjoyable.

With help from family, friends, and the community of Owatonna, OHS seniors will not go unnoticed. OHS Student Council has created an Instagram account to individually shoutout seniors. Camryn Bartz, the president of the student council, is in charge of the Instagram account. She said, “Since we are not in school anymore, we don’t get to talk to each other and hear about each other’s plans. So we thought it would be a good idea to see everyone and their big plans for next year.” Additionally, on Friday, May 1, over 60 OHS staff members will be delivering caps and gowns to homes along with a yard sign to honor seniors. OHS administration and faculty have worked to help the senior class make the best of this unfortunate situation.