HAVELOCK, N.C. — Graduating seniors in a large portion of North Carolina really haven't had a normal year of high school. From hurricanes to the pandemic, they've had to roll with the punches.
Kylin Garrard, a senior at Havelock High School, admits it's been a crazy few years.
What You Need to Know
Many high school seniors haven't had a normal year of high school
Their education has been interrupted by multiple hurricanes and a global pandemic
Some students say it has better prepared them for the future
It's been hard for teachers to help their students through these difficult times
“If I'm being honest, we all went through a lot. I sure did,” Garrard said. “But hopefully all of us came out on top.”
During his freshman year, Hurricane Florence pulled them out of school for a month. They regrouped only to be brought down again by more hurricanes and COVID-19.
“Senior year, probably the most normal and based year I've had since I've been in high school,” he said.
While these interruptions have caused a lot of chaos and distractions, the students have also learned how to be flexible.
“It was kind of a test of resilience,” Garrard said. “It taught me that there wasn't anything that could really stop me as far as getting to school and getting my education.”
Despite the difficulties, Garrard says he still feels he's gotten the high school experience and formed relationships with his classmates and teachers. He added that he feels he's been fully prepared for the next step in his education.
“I'm actually really excited to graduate,” Garrard said. “High school isn't the best place to be, but it's, I mean, it's certainly not the worst. So I'm very grateful that I get to have new beginnings.”
Principal Stacie Friebel says it been tough to see how these formative years in her students' lives have been constantly flipped upside-down.
“I think with all of us, but probably especially with kids, you don't realize the things that you've learned or the ways that you're better until you're completely through the situation,” Friebel said. “Kylin was so eloquent about verbalizing the things that he's learned, the lessons that he's learned, how he believes that he's better prepared because of it. I think it's taking some of us a little longer to have that touch of wisdom and to see the positive ways that all of this has impacted our lives. But I mean, if anybody is resilient it's children.”
This past year has also been difficult on teachers and staff who have had to adjust what education looks like as well as take care of their students during difficult times. When asked how she has handled this past year, Friebel couldn't help but get choked up.
“That's probably the most difficult question,” Friebel said as tears came to her eyes.
She says her team of teachers is amazing.
“People who have never been inside a school setting, they don't understand,” she said. “They don't understand the level of commitment, dedication, love, worry that that group of adults is pouring into those kids. So when we're disconnected, it's really tough. And when we see them hurting and we know that they're struggling, we're fixers, that's who we are by nature. And sometimes there are things that are bigger than us, and we can't fix, but we work really hard to do that.”
The staff's hard work has paid off and made a difference in these students' education.
“I feel like I've learned to be thankful for what I have when I have it,” Garrard said. “A standard high school education isn't hard to come by, but it's very valuable when you get it.”
Friebel says the biggest way to help students and teachers is to provide support for them in their mental health, education and personal lives. She says everyone must give a lot of grace as they continue to navigate this difficult time.