Education
Education

How the coronavirus pandemic shaped the 2020 senior class

Frederick Douglass High School principal Ellis Duncan (right) congratulates a graduating senior with an elbow bump during a drive-thru celebration event at the school in Atlanta's Center Hill community, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Graduating seniors were given their diplomas, cap, gowns and academic and athletic awards during the drive-thru event at the school. Students were also given a chance to be photographed win their cap and gown which was provided by the Frederick Douglass High School Alumni Association.
Frederick Douglass High School principal Ellis Duncan (right) congratulates a graduating senior with an elbow bump during a drive-thru celebration event at the school in Atlanta's Center Hill community, Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Graduating seniors were given their diplomas, cap, gowns and academic and athletic awards during the drive-thru event at the school. Students were also given a chance to be photographed win their cap and gown which was provided by the Frederick Douglass High School Alumni Association.
By Arlinda Smith Broady and
July 2, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak disrupted the lives of students around the world. In Georgia, schools statewide closed their doors in March and remained closed for the rest of the school year.

For the high school and college classes of 2020 that meant a loss of traditional coming-of-age rituals like prom and graduation, replaced with socially distanced celebrations and drive-by ceremonies.

Through it all the seniors persevered, learning to adapt to the new normal of life during a pandemic.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution followed several area high school and college students through their last months of the school year, talking with them about how their lives were impacted and what it all means for their futures.

Read about the unprecedented school year, the 11 students profiled by the AJC and hear how they faced the challenges.

READ | COVID crisis forces Class of 2020 to become the Class of Perseverance

READ | Class of 2020: Anxious, energized, eager to meet the future

WATCH | 2020: The Class of Perseverance

About the Authors

A Midwesterner by birth, but a Southerner by heritage, Arlinda Smith Broady has a combination of solid values, easy-going charm and unrelenting thirst for knowledge that makes her a not only a dedicated journalist, but a compassionate community member. She seeks truth and justice, but is just as eager to spread good news and share a witty story.

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Children in the Head Start program play outside with lead teacher Genesis Lavanway at the Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center. It's one of the Head Start programs in Georgia that may not receive its annual funding on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. A bridge loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will keep the programs running for another 45 days. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Ga. Head Start programs get $8 million lifeline to stay open during shutdown

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is giving some of Georgia's at-risk Head Start programs bridge loans to stay operational for 45 days.

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

As head drum major, Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede is something of a celebrity on FAMU’s campus. For the first time in its history, a woman leads the 340-member Marching 100.

The music stopped at Morris Brown. Two decades later, it might start again.

It’s hard to tell the story of the private Atlanta historically Black college without mentioning the famed Marching Wolverines.

The Latest

Children in the Head Start program play outside with lead teacher Genesis Lavanway at the Arthur M. Blank Early Learning Center. It's one of the Head Start programs in Georgia that may not receive its annual funding on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. A bridge loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta will keep the programs running for another 45 days. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Ga. Head Start programs get $8 million lifeline to stay open during shutdown

She’s the first female head drum major at FAMU, and she’s from metro Atlanta

Georgia students flock to Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk killing

Featured

Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Dunes dustup hangs over Georgia-Florida weekend’s ‘Frat Beach’ party

A construction project at "Frat Beach," the annual St. Simons Island party before the Georgia-Florida college football game, is causing logistical and environmental concerns.

‘Please don’t go and die.’ Jury rules in cigarette boat, pontoon boat crash.

A middle-of-the-night boat crash on a Georgia lake four years ago left one man dead and six others injured. A Macon jury found the speedboater guilty of homicide Tuesday.

KEN SUGIURA

Why Braves’ speculated managerial candidate may not prove to be the hire

Danny Lehmann is considered a top pick as Braves' manager, but the team may still be weighing options.