To the Ardsley High School Sophomore Class of 2022,
We are in the exact midpoint of our high school career. Crazy, right? Seems like it was just last year that we arrived at AHS as freshmen, not knowing where our lockers were, who our friends were, or how hard classes were going to be. And here we are in the midst of our high school career, looking forward to becoming juniors and upperclassmen next fall. But due to COVID-19, our second year of high school was unfortunately cut short. Let’s take a trip on what had happened during the 2019-20 school year.
On September 3rd 2019, we arrived as sophomores looking forward to our classes, trying new things, and branching out of our comfort zone to meet new people (and freshmen and new students who may need some help finding their way around the school). We were also introduced to our new guidance counselors who would accommodate us in our academic and social lives for the next 3 years. In October of that same year, we took the PSAT, which tested our skills for the SATs/ACTs that loom in junior year.
January of 2020, this was the start of the 2nd shorter half of the school year. We have started to prepare for our schedules for the following school year such as taking Advanced Placement entrance courses exams and meeting with guidance counselors and teachers for input. Along the way, our community has faced a serious tragedy at the end of that month but nonetheless, we were supportive and there for one another during that time period. In the time period of the last few months, we were preparing to learn how to use Naviance, a college and career readiness website which our guidance counselors were going to teach us how to use not knowing teaching us virtually would be an option.
"On September 3rd 2019, we arrived as sophomores looking forward to our classes, trying new things, and branching out of our comfort zone to meet new people."
But March 13th 2020 (which was coincidentally Friday the 13th) was the last day that we would step foot in Ardsley High School as sophomores. We thought we would see our friends in a couple of days, weeks, just maybe months, but until September wasn’t an option. Being at home during this pandemic has taught me to not take the things for granted -- going to school, seeing my friends, seeing my teachers’ faces, all now feels like such a blessing.
Class of 2022, I hope that next year will be better! Until then, congratulations to the Class of 2020. We hope you will soon get the prom, cruise, and in-person graduation that you all deserve.