QUEEN CREEK, Arizona — As Arizona schools were forced to abruptly close their doors because of the coronavirus, the class of 2020 is especially impacted in an unexpected way.
But in the middle of all of the questions high school seniors are facing right now, some Valley schools are sending a sign of hope to their students.
Every evening at 8:20 p.m., or 2020 military time, from now until this year's expected graduation date, the lights on the Casteel High School football field are piercing through the night sky. It's a small sign of, 'Hey, we've got you,' for students like Macey Clausen, Connor Hatch, Hannah Hudson and the rest of their class.
“Everyone has realized how much they miss the experience of being at school more than they thought possible," said Casteel principal Jayson Phillips.
“I think I was just really stunned and it was kind of a lot of unbelief," Macey Clausen said after learning her senior year was over early.
They've watched their dreams of playing their last varsity games or singing in one final choir performance come to an end overnight. But at a time when so much looks and feels dark, light is breaking through for Macey and her class.
“I’ve gotten to come out with some friends, and we all sit in the back of our cars away from each other and we’ve seen the lights together and reminisce on high school and how things went," Connor said.
Student body president Hannah Hudson is leading her class through reshaping both their immediate and distant futures.
“It’s really put an importance on being thankful to be able to wake up every day," Hudson said. “It slowly morphed into OK, what can I do, what can I try to start planning, what can I start to get approved so I can have a prom or have a graduation?”
The seniors understand the severity of the coronavirus and stay-at-home orders while finding a way to say goodbye.
“I’m really going to miss the people a lot," Macey said.
Goodbye to all of the things they didn’t get to say goodbye to, as the decades of seniors before them did. And while some senior moments may be left unfinished for now, it's a bond and a sign of a brighter time - hoping to bring the class of 2020 together again on the other side.
“We have each other and knowing that we’re not alone in going through this and we’re all going through this together is something that has bonded us," Hannah said.
Casteel’s principal says they’re still planning for graduation on their field on May 28. But he says that could all change depending on the CDC and Governor Doug Ducey’s executive orders for social distancing and large gatherings.
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