Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the United States, students all across the nation are now being forced to stay isolated indoors and remain socially distant. As a result, schools have cut the physical school year short, converting to online schooling to allow students to complete their second semester. There are many mixed emotions at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school surrounding the school year coming to an early end. 

Many MSD students feel that their 2019-2020 school year has been stripped away from them due to the global pandemic. Students did not know that the last day they attended school would be their last day for the entire school year. This abrupt ending to the year did not allow for students to say goodbye to their teachers and classmates in person. However, throughout each of the four grade levels, feelings toward the shortened year vary. 

“It was my first year of high school at MSD, I’m so grateful that I got to meet the people I met there,” freshman Mya Ryan said. “Even though the year got cut short, I feel happy that I still have three more years to go, I don’t feel like my highschool experience is completely ruined due to the pandemic.” 

Students, primarily in the freshmen class don’t feel as if their high school experience was ruined because of the virus, though there is still disappointment that their first year of highschool has ended. The freshmen class still have 3 more years while the other classes do not.

While many students in the sophomore class at MSD are sad that they won’t be able to experience the end of their second year, they have already experienced their first year of highschool last year and still have two more years to follow. 

“I am sad that I won’t be able to see my friends everyday at school like I used to, but I already experienced my first year of highschool so I don’t mind that the school year is coming to a close,” sophomore Julia Danois said. 

The underclassmen are not as affected by the closure of school, however, there is some level of stress and anger from upperclassmen. 

“This year is one that I would definitely not get back,” junior Jonatan Valle said. “I was planning to take my SAT by the end of the school year, but now since the pandemic my testing date has been cancelled.”

Juniors have to deal with AP tests, the SAT or the ACT, since the pandemic two SAT testing dates have been cancelled. Some colleges are now making the SAT and ACT test optional for students since many students cannot take them.

However, out of all the grade levels, the senior class of 2020 has been the most affected. Not only will seniors be unable to attend a prom and grad bash, but they will not be able to walk across the stage for graduation.

“We aren’t going to have any of the normal senior traditions. I get that things happen and this is a worldwide problem but in the end we’re getting short of traditional things that we never thought would get taken away,” senior Edward Reed said. “We have been stripped of graduation and grad bash essentially at this point there’s nothing left. Everything that we have looked forward to has been taken, but things happen.” 

The pandemic has affected the lives of all students, some more impacted than others. Having Broward County schools close early was not the most ideal situation for students, but the state government decided that it had to be done for everyone’s safety.