As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world, it has left a change for the 2019-2020 graduating class of seniors that they will never forget, leaving many scrambling to find any positivity in the situation.
Heartbreak and Self-Care
During this time of uncertainty and loss, self-care has emerged as something very important for the senior classes.
Two seniors and roommates, Stephanie Graden and Kaylee Kirk expressed that they felt like so much was taken from them. Along with missing out on the rest of their senior year, Graden and Kirk watched as their Disney College Program acceptance and excitement was cancelled as well.
Photo Credit: Stephanie Graden
“I haven’t cried as hard as I cried since I lost my mom, I knew then I was heartbroken,” Graden said. “Something recently that has been helping is making sure I have time with God every single day, right at the beginning of my day.”
According to Illinois State University’s Student Counseling Services the best ways to combat anxiety and depression during this time is to not become too isolated, develop a routine, strengthen self-care, practice calming rituals and much more.
“Being to spend a bunch of time at home is good, I really enjoy that I get to help my family out around the house, and being an extra pair of hands and help for them,” Kirk said, delving into the positivity and good things she has taken from the situation.
“Treat every day like you won’t see people again, and live in the moment,”
Kaylee kirk, onu senior
The tassle was worth the hassle
The pandemic has left many unanswered questions: some of these big questions of uncertainty directly affected the graduating class of the 2019-2020 school year and their futures.
Many senior students watched as their last year at their universities changed and disappeared right in front of their eyes. Along with beloved sports, and internships being cancelled and postponed, the Commencement Ceremony also faced a large change.
At Olivet Nazarene University, as some states began issuing stay-at-home orders, it became clear that travel restrictions would likely prevent the university from hosting an on-ground commencement ceremony.
“The safety of our students and families would have to be a priority. We made the decision based on the information we had at the time,” said Vice President for Student Development, Woody Webb.
It was announced on April 3, that the commencement ceremony would be held virtually. The graduating class expressed disappointment in this decision and requested a vote to add the opportunity to have an on-ground ceremony where they could post-pone the baccalaureate service until they could walk across the stage in person.
“Following several conversations, we surveyed the graduating seniors. The results of that survey indicated that two-thirds preferred an on-ground ceremony in August,” Webb said.
Olivet is now offering a physical commencement ceremony to be held in Centennial Chapel on Aug. 15. A special 2020 reunion will be held during homecoming and family weekend during the week of Nov. 4 through 8.
According to the Journal of Literature and Art Studies by Emmanuel Mutangi, “Graduation is their commissioning to face the world of work with confidence so as to make a contribution to society, earn an income, support their families, and plan for the future.”
Friends are the family you pick
An integral part of senior’s lives are the friendships they have cultivated over their four years; they’re with each other through the laughs, tears and every step of their college careers.
“My roommates and I have a group chat on Snapchat, ‘These Shining Lives’ cast has a Zoom call every week and so does Associated Student Council (ASC),” Hughes said, explaining how she stays connected with her circle of friends and peers.
This was another twist that the class of 2020 had to learn to navigate when the pandemic changed their lives. Many students manage to stay connected using the internet and social media.
Olivet’s community works to stay together through the COVID-19 pandemic despite the twists and turns, making sure no one feels alone during this time.
Graden and Hughes spent their senior year as Associated Student Council Executive Editors for the yearbook and newspaper. Photo Credit: Life at Olivet 
The Class of 2020 won the 2019 Ollies Follies class competition, which takes place during the first two weekends of the fall semester. Photo Credit: Kaylee Kirk 
Broadway Revue is a student-run production featuring musical numbers from famous Broadway musicals. Hughes has taken part in this her entire college career. Photo Credit: Rachel Hughes 
Kirk and Graden, along with all Olivet students, had to move-out of campus in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Credit: Stephanie Graden/Kaylee Kirk 
Hughes enjoys traveling and visited Washington D.C. for the first time during fall break with friends. Photo Credit: Rachel Hughes 
Graden and Kirk were roommates throughout senior year along with Britney Zehr. Photo Credit: Stephanie Graden and Kaylee Kirk 
Hughes lived with friends McKenzie Beers and Dana Dzingel in Olivet’s Oaks apartments for senior year. Photo Credit: Rachel Hughes 
Kirk also signed up and was accepted into the Disney College Program, planning to live with Graden down in Orlando, Fla. Photo Credit: Stephanie Graden 
Graden celebrated her acceptance to the Disney College Program and her 22 birthday at the same time. Her and Kirk visited the Wndr Museum in Chicago, Ill. Photo Credit: Stephanie Graden
Extras
Visit the social media links for The GlimmerGlass newspaper to see Hughes work as Executive Editor, and The Aurora Yearbook to see Graden’s work as Executive Editor and Kirk’s work as a Designer.
Aurora Yearbook
