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Walpole Community Perseveres through COVID-19 Cancellations By Erin Foley

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many events in both Walpole and all across the country have been cancelled. Despite the upsetting news that events are cancelled, there are some parts to be grateful for.

The MIAA announced on April 24 that all spring sports were cancelled due to Governor Baker's announcement that Massachusetts schools will be closed for the rest of the school year. Students were overwhelmingly upset about both announcements. The MIAA facilitated all spring sports including track & field, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, softball, golf, rugby and volleyball. Walpole High School has a large student athlete population, so the cancellation affected many students. Despite the spring sports being cancelled, as of May 7, both prom and graduation for WHS have not yet been cancelled.

“It’s really unfortunate they had to cancel the seasons, but it is definitely better for the safety of our community,” senior boys’ track & field captain Shane Grant said.

The Walpole community still has come together in many different ways to show support for students. The guidance counselors at WHS are available via Google Meet for any student who is struggling and needs to talk with someone. While there have been many cancellations, Principal Stephen Imbusch emphasizes that he is working to continue the WHS spirit and make many seniors' last months as memorable as possible.

“It’s hard to part from a community that has been my entire life for the last 13 years with no formal goodbye,” senior Franscesca Theofilou said.

As of May 1, Imbusch released an announcement stating that prom is currently postponed until further notice. The graduation ceremony is still being solidified, and the plans are currently unknown by students. WHS administration clarified that they are doing their best to celebrate the seniors in a momentus way.

Due to the cancellations and social distancing that the state has suggested, many people are left with tons of time left in the day. During this extended free time, there are lots of productive ways to fill each day with. School is still in session online for WHS students. The senior class ends school on May 21, and the rest of WHS ends school on June 19. Exercise is a productive way to spend time during the time of quarantine. It is especially important to fully social distance, even if one exercises outside of their home.

Walpole students are also spending their time by gaining new hobbies. Some students are dying their hair while others are reading new books. Many students are using creative ways to stay six feet apart yet still contact their peers, such as parking their cars six feet away to talk through their vehicles. Students are also using this time to take online workout or yoga classes to stay healthy during the quarantine. Junior Mia Costa has found it difficult to keep motivation without a daily routine. She feels baking has given her a good activity to occupy her time with.

“[Baking] gives me something to do and it gives me the opportunity to get better with things in the kitchen since I never used to have the time to really get to learn how to cook anything,” Costa said.

Due to cancellations, many students of WHS are worried for their future events. However, despite the stress of the pandemic, there is still hope for the future. There are many activities for people to do within quarantine, the community should remain hopeful for the future. In the meantime, students should continue to create new ways to occupy their time in quarantine.