Staying Together While we are Apart – Mr. Papandrea reaches out to Seniors
Dear Senior Class of 2020,
I wanted to reach out to you during this difficult time. The building has been eerily quiet without you there. The school year was going along as it usually does and then everything just stopped, the energy you bring is gone from the building. Even though our administration and teachers have been working hard to figure out how to work out this new challenge, you are constantly on our minds. Ms. Lanoue and I often talk about how we hope you’re handling this situation and how we would feel if we were in your shoes.
This was supposed to be your home stretch of high school, a rare time for almost all of us in our lives where you get to look towards the future while you can still very much enjoy being in the moment. You’re probably feeling like none of this is fair, and you’re right, it’s not. This pandemic has brought our world into a virtual standstill and no doubt leaves you feeling like you’re paying the price for something that is entirely not your fault.
I realize I’ve only been your principal for your senior year but I’ve known many of you since 7th grade when I was Athletic Director. I left Hoosic Valley just days into your Freshman year. When I returned three years later to be your principal it felt like I was in a time warp. You had grown up into young adults with aspirations for the future. Now, this giant pause button has been pressed on our daily lives. The most frustrating thing for me right now is not being able to answer the questions that you have about things like prom and graduation. It seems daily, the news of the virus shifts our expectations and hopes for the near future. While I don’t have those answers today, it is always on our minds about how we can provide you with the moments in a senior year you deserve.
I started the first day of school by telling you that you are the leaders of the school. The truth is we are missing our leaders. We are missing the laughs in the hallways, seeing your achievements in the classroom, athletic events, and even missing the times we drive each other crazy. I hope you are all healthy and doing well. Please know that you can always reach out to me or Ms. Lanoue about anything. We miss you and hope to see you soon.
Sincerely,
Eric A. Papandrea
HS Principal