As the class of 2021 is halfway through senior year, it feels like we have gone to school a total of three times. We got over half of our senior year taken away from us and it is becoming mentally draining. As our junior year was cut short, all was good, there wasn’t much of an issue, and we only missed about three months. Of course it was sad, but stuff happens and we have to move beyond that. However, one of the most important and biggest years of our lives is being cut short significantly. With this, brings, graduation, prom, senior week, and overall, just a whole year to have fun before everyone leaves for college and truly starts their lives. But all of this is currently in jeopardy.

However, one thing is this list has been a nightmare of every single senior of the class of 2021. Prom. My parents are always telling me stories about their proms. There are movies and television shows about prom. There are massive stores designated to just selling prom dresses and jewelry. And, people make a living designing prom dresses. Clearly, this is a very significant part of our youth and we might not get a chance to experience it. As our junior year came to a close, every junior last year was cut short of junior prom. This was fine and everyone was disappointed but soon able to move on due to the fact of us having a senior prom. But, as the end of the year is creeping up on us, we have not been told anything regarding prom, graduation, or anything like that. Not even a date has been set for graduation, just to put things in perspective.

As I have been talking with my friends and peers over the past weeks. I have been sharing my thoughts about prom and not a single person has disagreed. Not a single person. My idea is that we have prom like normal. The only change would be that we wear masks, which is not new to any of us. This is one-hundred-percent doable. How? Well, it sounds crazy but here’s how. Starting with, the vaccine is supposed to be available to the public within the next few months. According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US leading infectious-disease expert, “by the end of March or beginning of April more vaccines will be available to the general public.” This gives plenty of time for students to get vaccinated, especially if prom happens in early-mid June. Also, there are many students that work at grocery stores, medical centers, retirement homes, etc. that will be receiving the vaccine within the next two weeks. Then, the school can release a waiver that states how it is not their responsibility if students get covid at prom. This of course may not sound very ethical due to it being a school sponsored event. Then, if you are comfortable with this, then sign it and prom can happen. Also, a few side notes; we all attend school together and are shoulder to shoulder in the hallway, so, I don’t see much of a difference. Also, if students are not comfortable with going, then they simply would not go. But, putting this option out to seniors, would really make a difference and put a smile on everyone’s faces. I know, for me, it would make a huge difference if I was able to attend just one prom.