(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Class of 2020 — seniors graduating from Aurora area high schools — appeared at a virtual town hall Wednesday to talk about the end of their high school careers in the time of coronavirus.
There would be no prom, and some of the girls said they had their dresses, anyway. So, there would be photos because parents wanted them.
They were asked how they’d been spending their time.
One of the seniors, Katelyn Charapata of Oswego East High School, is working as a nursing assistant with COVID-19 patients.
Student Dezember Barnes was asked what advice she would give to her fifth-grade self.
“I would say cherish every single moment that you have because I’m blessed to have family around that aren’t getting sick,” Barnes said. “Cherish every moment that you have with your family and anyone you know.”
Senior Adam Pauley said he and his peers have seen a lot of tumult through their lifetimes.
“We were born around the time of 9-11. We’ve lived through recessions, mass shootings, this pandemic, etc. And we can use these negative experiences to galvanize ourselves to create a better future not only for ourselves but for those who come after us as well.”