WHS Senior Representatives Speak on Life During COVID-19, Graduation

WILLISTON (KEYZ) - As the calendar moved to April, little did Seniors in North Dakota realize their time within the walls of public education had ended. Students were unable to participate in spring sports and other activities including prom due to the Coronavirus pandemic. For most of them, the first time they were able to physically see each other again was at Graduation, which was fortunately held in-person despite the less than ideal conditions.

The school picked 3 speakers to represent the class of 2020. One of them, Andrew Tong, spoke with NEWS RADIO about how the change to distance learning affected him personally, saying it was more difficult that being in class physically.

"We aren't used to learning on our screens all the time," Tong said. "It required me to put all my distractions away and focus."

Another representative, Jennifer Neil, called it a new challenge for her and her peers. She spoke positively on the system saying it gave her more freedom for homework assignments and allowed her to spend more time with family.

"School became easier for me," Neil explained.

It takes time to craft a good valedictorian speech. For Tong's speech, he wanted to be "inspirational while not too cheesy." His opening line "Well, we made it" has significantly more meaning due to the ongoing pandemic. With the help of some of his teachers, he felt proud of his work.

"I just want to inspire people for the future," he explained.

For Neil, she was inspired by listening to speakers at a prior graduation event at her former school in Wyoming. Just a freshman at that time, she knew she wanted to represent her graduating class. Neil feels the pandemic has made the class stronger by dealing with adversity.

"[I feel] We can do anything at this point," she said.

With graduation held on Sunday, we asked Tong and Neil their thoughts on the ceremony. Both were thankful that the ceremony was done swiftly and in-person. For Tong, he felt the joy of the occasion outweighed the weather conditions.

"[The Conditions] were miserable, but the ceremony was nice." Tong said he felt sorry for the parents in attendance, who had to brave the elements much longer than the graduating class did. "Graduates were out there for about 45 minutes, parents were out there for an hour longer," he explained.

Neil said she was happy to "walk the stage" and grab her diploma in-person.

As they begin their path into a new world, Neil plans on continuing her education at WSC; looking to earn a double-associate in Business Management and Accounting. Tong will be heading to the University of Arizona to participate in the school's acting program. Brooklyn Douglas, the class valedictorian, was unable to respond at the time of reporting.