HERRIMAN, Utah — Seniors in high school are preparing to miss out on many traditions that come with graduating as they continue social distancing practices.
“It’s really disappointing and it’s really frustrating because we have waited all our lives for this,” said Abby Barrow, a senior at Herriman High School. “High school is hard. That end goal is just being able to graduate and go to prom and do all of that fun stuff for the last time and now we don’t get to do that.”
Currently, classes for Utah schools are being held on-line. That will continue through May 1, at least. No official determination has been made for the status of schools following that date.
Comments made by Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox at a virtual town hall make it seem unlikely students will be headed back to their physical classrooms anytime soon.
“There is a slight possibility that we will be able to have some school in May,” Cox said. “I really wouldn’t put a high percentage on that now.”
No official decision has been about the status of the remainder of this school year.
According to a spokesperson for the Utah Board of Education, that decision would be made by the Utah Department of Health.
As students across the state wait to learn what’s next, Abby and her family hope the measures and sacrifices now will pay off.
“We do keep holding out hope that maybe, by some miracle, there can be a graduation if we all do what we are supposed to do now,” said Barbara Barrow, Abby’s mom. “It is difficult, but we do know that it is for the best.”
“I would like to know to mentally prepare myself,” Abby said. “If I am not going to have a graduation or I am going to have one.”
The Jordan School District which encompasses Herriman High Schoo, says no determination has been made about the status of graduation ceremonies.
If things do not return to normal this school year, Lt. Governor Cox is hopeful things change in the fall.
“Our hope certainly is that we will be able to return to something approaching normalcy as the next school year approaches,” Cox said. “We certainly believe that’s going to happen.”