The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us into a world-wide lockdown and put a halt on our everyday lives. We are all frustrated in these trying times, especially the graduating class of 2020. These last months of the school year are reserved for these hard-working students to celebrate finishing high school, the final moments before stepping out into the real world. Unfortunately, their year has been cut off, so the least we can do is acknowledge them.

Shelin Pompey is a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School who loves her friends, enjoys creating art, and plans on studying biology at Rutgers University.

What do you think about your senior year being cut-off and is there anything you wish you weren’t missing?

Shelin Pompey: Senior year being cut-off is really just the biggest bummer of all time. It was supposed to be the end-all and be-all of my high school career, and I was supposed to hang out and have fun with my friends as much as possible before going our separate ways. But now we can’t, and it absolutely sucks. Missing prom and graduation are what especially has me down. I hate being pent up inside all the time and my main form of socialization being seeing my parents every day. I love them, but being with them for this long, I’m going crazy! If I knew that half-day was my last day of high school, I would have cherished it more.

What year has been your favorite?

Senior year, of course!

Which teachers will you be missing the most?

I’ll miss Mrs. Stachurski because she is the coolest, and Mrs. Rotella because she’s pretty awesome. Also, Mrs. McCaig and Mrs. Sienkewitz because I had great memories in their AP bio class; I’ll miss them so much.

What are some stand-out memories from the past 4 years — good, bad, otherwise?

Once they started selling pop tarts in gym class I had to buy at least once a week. They used to cost more, but dang do I miss my one dollar pop tarts. I’ve had art class with all my friends since sophomore year, so just messing around and talking with them was fun. Going to art field trips with them was something I looked forward to every year. I also feel like cotillion was a really great moment because I don’t like parties, but this one was fun because my friends were there. My overall most memorable moment would be the time I went to Washington D. C. for AP Gov, that trip is going down in the books! I wouldn’t say any memories were bad because all my memories involve my friends.  If it weren’t for them, I’d be pretty miserable, because high school is not fun if it weren’t for the different people you meet and bond with overtime.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Being able to fully express myself would be my best accomplishment. I’ve become a more outgoing person who loves talking to others; just an overall big step I’ve taken towards loving myself completely. I’ve also developed a sense of fashion and attitude that the past me wouldn’t even think to have in the future. Thank God I ditched those graphic tees with quirky/cringe-y sayings!

What is your plan for the next few years?

I’m going to Rutgers University to study biology. I’m still deciding between cell biology and microbiology but I’ll figure it out later!