Online learning has changed the tradition of senior year for the class of 2021. Solon announced on July 13 that parents can choose if they want their student(s) to do online school or go to school five days a week for the first quarter of the 2020-2021 school year. As Aug. 26 arrived closer, Solon schools decided to do online school for the first quarter in hopes to slow the spread of COVID-19 from recommendation of the Cuyahoga Board of Health.

One of the many traditions of seniors at Solon High School is blowing whistles and rattling cowbells around the halls toward the underclassmen while wearing their senior shirts. It’s a type of initiation of becoming a Solon High School senior. The first day of school on a zoom call is not what the class of 2021 wanted. 

Along with extracurricular activities, seniors look forward to celebrating their last year with their team on senior night, which is dedicated to the last home game of their season and having their parents attend the game. 

However, that has been altered.

“What’s there to do, go to the fence, and watch my peers?” Senior Maleya Cruz said. “Seniors waited to see their friends have their own night and it was compromised.”

Current Senior Lauren Kiarie has also been anticipating Senior Night. 

“All four years of high school I spent watching the seniors do it and lowkey couldn’t wait until that was me,”  she said. “I just felt like it signified the beginning of the end and I wanted to take part in it.”

Nonetheless, Principal Erin Short had planned a first-day parade for seniors where they could decorate their cars, wear their seniors shirts that they personalized, and blow their whistles so they do not feel left out of the full senior experience. 

“Although we had that little parade thing,” Cruz said, “it wasn’t the same since we weren’t in the school’s hall with underclassmen.”

Not only have the traditions changed for seniors, but so has the first day of school for their last year at SHS (Solon High School). 

Kiarie said she was not surprised to start virtually.

“I was kind of happy though because I did not want to go back,” Kiarie said.

She does not wish to pass coronavirus on to her friends at school, which is why she chose to go fully remote.

“I am worried in terms of safety,” Kiarie said.  

Kiarie chose the online option, as well as Cruz.

“My grades have been good compared to other years,” Cruz said. “I take a lot of notes.”

Senior Xenya Rai had similar experiences.

“At first I thought it would negatively affect my grades but it really wasn’t that bad,” Rai said. “I got used to it so hopefully I’ll be good.”

On the other hand, Kiarie is not among those who are succeeding using remote learning. 

“Schoolwork feels optional, [which] makes me not want to do it,” Kiarie said. “I have to work harder to get good grades.”

Extracurricular activities are back up and running. Soccer, football, Cross country, and the marching band are working on their compromised season with social distancing and masks. Also, the clubs are all virtual on zoom calls after school. Consequently, the school spirit has decreased. 

“I think virtual school negatively affects school spirit,” Rai said. “Because now that we’re home I don’t think anyone cares anymore.”

Since all the students of SHS are at home and not at school five days a week, it is hard to get the students and staff together to celebrate the school spirit that everyone has for the school. This was heightened by the lack of extracurricular activities in the beginning of the school year for the students  to participate in. 

There have been many changes to the 2020-2021 school year and all seniors want is their last year, filled with traditions, fun classes, and good grades, but with COVID-19 interfering with school, it will be harder for this year’s seniors to experience what they have been waiting for.