Senior Portraits
I want to celebrate a few of the seniors I’ve had the pleasure of working with this year by featuring their senior portraits. In the beginning, these images were meant to capture this important, final year of high school. But in the end, I think it has become more about celebrating what they’ve achieved, the loss they’ve had to accept, and the uncertainty of their future. It’s a nod to their resilience, and to realizing that what’s most important is the journey that’s brought them to this point, rather than the final destination or moment.
“I am showing love for myself by remembering that our worst day is not our whole life.
Can I breathe through this?
Yes, I can.
Can I keep going?
Yes, I can.” -Cleo Wade
Admittedly, this mantra from Cleo helped me put things into perspective—at least for today. As I wake up each day, I’m trying to get comfortable with the uncomfortable or rather, the unknown. I wonder if this mantra could also help those who are struggling with intense feelings of disappointment The college and high school seniors, the bride and groom changing or rescheduling their wedding plans, and loss that comes from losing a loved one that cannot be honored or remembered through a traditional funeral, the newborn that cannot be held by extended family due to social distancing. The list goes on.
Celebrate and support them by leaving a comment or sharing the post.
Madi, RHS, Class of 2020
“The pandemic has affected my ability to work and practice the skills I have learned in my radio tv class. At this point, all the traditional senior experiences such as prom, graduation, honors and awards have either been cancelled or postponed.
It is hard and sad knowing there are people I may never see again, and classes I’ll never get to be in again. I am very lucky that my school is working through it and isn’t going straight to canceling everything. They have had to cancel some stuff but some of the traditions I’ve been looking forward to may still happen, hopefully.
For now, I’ve been working on stuff for class, playing video games, trying to figure out college plans and hanging out with my family.”
Dustin, RHS, Class of 2020, Senior Portraits
“I definitely feel cheated out of the ‘best time to be a senior’ — honors and awards, academic excellence, the swimming banquet. Even eating lunch outside… little things like that. But I know its necessary to further protect people. So, all I can really do is be content with the time I did have. And, to stay busy, I’ve really just been trying to keep up on school work and keeping in shape for the swim season next year where I’ll be swimming for Hanover College”.
Suzanne, Seton Catholic High School, Class of 2020
“It has been very rough have to say goodbye to many senior rights of passage😔. The pandemic has abruptly taken away things that I was really looking forward to such as sports, graduation and spending the last few months with my class. It’s been really sad realizing that we’ll never get to do some of things that all seniors have gotten to do for so long. Over the past few weeks I’ve just been binge watching Grey’s Anatomy and Tiger King and have been very bored other than that. I am looking forward to starting college at IU Bloomington in the fall.”
Josh, RHS, Class of 2020, Senior Portraits
“As an outgoing senior, it breaks my heart that my high school career has ended this way; however, it should not supersede all the great memories I’ve had at RHS. The boredom from staying inside all day (that I’m sure we all feel) has been accompanied by the sadness of knowing that I’ll never walk the halls of RHS as a student athlete again. To alleviate some of the stress, I’ve been running/walking a lot, reading, and preparing for the AP tests that are soon to come.”
Natalie, RHS, Class of 2020
“The pandemic has made me change my outlook on a lot of things. It has reminded me to value my good health and to really enjoy doing things that we might sometimes take for granted, like going to see our loved ones or even just going out to eat with friends.
It has been hard knowing that these last few weeks were supposed to be some of the last times that I hung out with my friends before we all graduated and went away for college.
However, I’ve been texting my closest friends to keep each other updated on how we’re doing, and I’ve been spending a lot of time with my parents and my dog, Augie.
This has been a very strange experience for everyone. It really has been hard knowing that this is how my high school years are ending, but I’m thankful that my family and I are safe and that hopefully, we will see progress being made on treatment options for the more severe cases of COVID-19 and maybe even some progress on a vaccine.”
Natalie will be attending IU East this fall to study social work.
Brennen, RHS, Class of 2020, Senior Portraits
“It’s been a drag to be unable to finish my senior year like most people do. It’s unfortunate to also not have my last band concert with my friends in drumline. I’ll definitely miss the last few memories I should be having, but I know it’s better for everyone’s health to stay safe and healthy. I’ll miss high school and look back knowing I had made plenty of great memories to remember during my high school career. Besides that, I do look forward to my next chapter in my life at IU East in the fall!”
Brennen, thanks for sharing. I’m a drumline enthusiast myself and I understand the passion that goes into being in the band, and how important that final, senior concert is.
Kayla, RHS, Class of 2020, Senior Portraits
“The pandemic has affected my last year of high school, There isn’t an academic excellence and honors and awards ceremony. Along with this, the unified track season was cancelled which is something that was going to start this year.
I have mixed feelings about not returning because I’m bummed that I may not see some friends again, frustrated that I have to stay at home and can’t travel, and scared that gymnastics State will get cancelled.
The main things that I’m doing to pass the time is doing crafts, playing solitaire, and being outside.”
Kayla plans to attend Butler University this fall to study pharmacy.
Will, Seton Catholic High School, Class of 2020
“The pandemic has affected my final year of high school in limiting my time not only in the classroom regarding learning, but also my time spent doing normal senior activities. From just spending time with friends, to going to sporting events and of course missing out on senior prom. I am hopeful that there is only a delay in the actual graduation ceremony. While disappointed in the situation and missing out on these activities, I am understanding of the importance of keeping everyone safe and healthy under the current circumstances. I have been keeping busy with school work and preparing for my ACP & AP exams, but I have also been trying to use my time wisely by working as much as possible to save money for next year. My plan is to attend Indiana University Bloomington in the fall, majoring in Intelligent Systems Engineering at Indiana University’s Luddy School of Informatics.”
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