Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly ordered K-12 schools to close for the rest of the academic year on Tuesday, March17. This has affected the rest of the school year at De Soto High School for students of all grade levels. 

For freshmen, many were starting to get comfortable with the high school curriculum. Many were looking forward to playing spring sports. Not being able to play a spring sport has been upsetting for some freshmen. 

“I was really excited to play soccer because it’s my freshman year, and I missed out on that,” freshman Chloe Collins said. 

Sophomores have become comfortable at school and are used to visiting with their classmates throughout the day. Although they may have more years to experience schooling at DHS, it is still difficult to be pulled out of their usual environment. 

“I think I will have a new appreciation for in-person contact learning and getting to see my peers everyday,” sophomore Lauren Bradley said. 

Despite the fact that the lower grade levels will have future years at DHS, they still understand how hard this can be for seniors. Many were looking forward to playing a spring sport alongside members of the senior class. Some students have struggled to see their older siblings and friends’ year cut short. 

“I was super crushed for the seniors. My brother is a senior so I felt for him in that aspect a lot,” Bradley said.

Junior year begins the start of a student’s experience as an upperclassman. This class has more opportunities to participate in AP courses and attend prom. Many believed they would have these activities for the next two years. Having these events canceled has allowed for a greater appreciation among upperclassmen students. 

“I think it will make me realize that I need to be more involved in school and go to every event I can and try to make the most out of my year rather than skipping things because I feel like I don’t want to do it,” junior Jenna Doran said.  

Seniors were preparing to embark on the end of their career as a DHS student. For many, they were about to experience their last prom, sports season and goodbye. Having this abruptly taken away has been very troubling for some.  

“I’m disappointed to not say goodbyes to all of my teachers, friends and people I grew up with the past 13 years,” senior Kate Hashagen said.