Dear Class of 2020,
To us, March 12 was like any other school day. Classes came and went, teachers took attendance, students greeted one another in the hallways. Thus, when the last bell rang, we left Peninsula, expecting to see our fellow Panthers again the following day.
Yet, in the span of one night, our world completely changed. Without any warning, COVID-19, a highly contagious respiratory illness, quickly became a global pandemic, making districts, businesses and all sorts of programs statewide shut down in a matter of days. “Stay At Home” orders were enforced shortly thereafter, and before we knew it, leaving our homes was a risk, and self-quarantine was the norm.
We were not able to participate in all of the exciting senior week activities that our Associated Student Body always works so hard to plan; we did not have the chance to gather and share our future schools with each other on Declare Day; we may not get to go to the cliffs to take pictures for our final senior prom; we might not get to celebrate all of our hard work by relaxing together during our senior ditch day; we may not be able to have our Senior Sunset with all of our friends and get a proper send off as we all go on our different paths in life; we might not get to put on our cap and gowns and take pictures together at Baccalaureate; we may not have been able to enjoy our last laughs as a class during Grad Nite; we might have missed our chance to wish all of our friends, faculty and staff goodbye — but regardless of some of the memories we were not able to create, we can still appreciate the moments that we were able to share as the Class of 2020.
We do not know what the future holds for us, but we can look back on and be thankful for our time at Peninsula, especially all of the amazing memories we have begun to make since we started our final year here. The first day of senior year–walking onto campus as seniors for the first time. Girls’ basketball moving onto CIF and the football night game–both firsts in Peninsula history. Beating Palos Verdes High School in all of our rivalry girls’ and boys’ basketball games this year–not a first in Peninsula history. Walk for Life–we were so grateful to raise awareness this year for a new cause, ALS, and support a Peninsula alumnus as well. Homecoming and formal–we got to dance, laugh and simply have a great time with all of our friends.
Although these are definitely times of fear and uncertainty, this is also a time when we can appreciate what we have experienced as the Class of 2020 and as Panthers. Every moment we encountered has made up our senior year and filled it with unforgettable aspects we now get to reflect on. This is the time when we must count our blessings, keep our heads up and look forward to the rest of 2020 and what it has in store for us.
To Peninsula and our fellow Panthers, thank you for being the home for the Class of 2020 all these years and shaping us into the young adults we have become. Here is to the rest of our lives, seniors.
Love,
Rianne, Ana and Asumi
