Coming together for the Class of 2021

Sarah Howlan

May 10, 2021

With the 2020-2021 school year coming to an end, parents and teachers have come together to try and reward Colonie seniors for making it through high school. With several events cancelled this year, seniors have been left with limited positive memories of their senior year. This is why everyone is coming together in an attempt to make these last few months special.

Starting in March, a group of parents came together to create a special gift for seniors called “Swag Bags”. In these bags are little gifts, such as free ice cream coupons, bracelets, and keychains. Parents sit outside the library on the 21st of every month to hand out bags to students.

“My mom is one of the parents who helps coordinate the bags,” said Colonie senior Cassidy Phillips. “I think it is a nice idea that they are trying to do something for our class”.

In addition, the class of 2021 executive club is sponsoring a CCHS senior drive-in night on Friday, May 21. Prior to the movie, they will be releasing the senior celebrity winners and handing out this month's “Swag Bags’. There will also be a food truck available for drinks and snacks.

Earlier this morning, a Google Form was released on the details of the drive-in. Seniors get to vote on movies “Grown Ups”, “High School Musical 3”, and “Spider-Man: Homecoming”. Parking spots are first come, first serve, so if you want to be placed with your friends in different cars, make sure you arrive at the same time.

“I’m really excited to check it out,” said Jacklyn Mantica, a CCHS senior. “I love going to the drive-ins, so I think this could be a really fun way to see your friends, but be safe at the same time.”

With June 5 quickly approaching, many students are beginning to wonder what is going to happen with prom. About a week ago, a Google Form was released asking seniors a few questions about prom, such as what price they think would be reasonable, if they would prefer an early shift or a late shift and if they’d be willing to be tested or vaccinated.

“I can’t even imagine how hard it much be to try and plan such a big event during a time like this, but I just wish they could keep us a little more informed on what’s going on,” Mantica said.

Three weeks into the fourth quarter and seniors are still left wondering about their graduation as well. It has been confirmed that the event will not take place in the Sefcu Area, as it has in the past. There is still no confirmation on exactly where it will take place. There has been talk of conducting the ceremony in smaller groups and allowing each student to bring more guests, or having one big ceremony, but only allowing a limited number of guests per person.

“It doesn’t really matter to me, personally, what we do for graduation, I would just like to know because if we will be able to have more guests, my uncle is going to fly in for the ceremony,” said Mantica.

Although this was nothing like anyone planned, there are events trying to be planned in honor of the class of 2021. With about a month left, seniors are still hoping for some change to end off their high school careers with a happy memory.