The Class of 2022 has been through the wringer, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the lives of both students and staff over the last two years. Even though they had a traditional start to their high school careers, they weren’t spared from the horrors of virtual learning. One of their most important years of high school was spent behind Zoom screens in the comfort of their homes. Returning to school for their last year, you could imagine the mixed expressions on their faces. Time went by fast for these seniors, leaving the building as sophomores and returning to it as seniors.

Just moments away from being walking across the stage, North Atlanta seniors are getting their first glimpse of adulthood. After-school jobs and practices are just a few of their worries. When it comes to applying for colleges and scholarships, they’re essentially planning the rest of their lives in a matter of months. Senior Jazmine Tucker, for instance, plans on attending Clark Atlanta to become either a nurse or a cosmetologist. “I applied for the Coca-Cola scholarship, already took the SAT, and I’m making good grades,” she said.

At this point in the application process, it’s also common for students to be on edge about their choice of colleges and studies. Making a college decision is a lot to think about, but both the senior coordinator – Mrs. Hunter – and Coach Page are working together to relieve the stresses of these ambitious seniors. These two have been putting their heads together for a few months now, brainstorming ideas for senior events and activities. Even Mr. Howard, who’s new to North Atlanta, has recently joined the force in hopes of pitching ideas that can help these students. “I can expose these seniors to a variety of activities that’ll keep everybody motivated to finalize their applications,” he said. “At first I didn’t want to do it, but a student convinced me that my ideas would be useful to make her senior year more memorable.” 

The seniors themselves understand more than anyone the reality that their high school careers are ending, and they want to go out with a bang. There has been a lot of buzz about a senior trip, and senior Josie Bird and her friend group have expressed interest in planning one. This optimistic group of seniors have already set in stone their plan to go to Cancun, Mexico. 

Each year a new group of seniors is on the rise, college-ready and prepared to take over the top two floors of the North Atlanta building. This year, the seniors are having to rise to challenges bigger than themselves. Luckily, they have a team of Warriors rooting for them.