Class of COVID: Iowa's graduating seniors share how pandemic shaped their futures
As seniors across the country don their caps and gowns this graduation season, they'll become the first class of students whose entire high school experiences were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
They were freshman when they packed their backpacks and lockers and finished the 2020 semester online at home during quarantine. Their high school experiences were marked with mask wearing, social distancing, canceled or virtual events, and relationships built and maintained online.
In February 2021 — when these students were sophomores — Iowa schools were required to offer a 100% in-person learning option for families. Some districts chose to continue offering a virtual option.
More: Iowa is entering year 4 of the COVID-19 pandemic. Where are we at and what's changed?
As the federal public health emergency expires, these seniors will graduate into a world that they couldn't have imagined and for some, the pandemic changed the way they saw themselves and their futures.
Here, five Iowa students share what it was like to graduate in the class of COVID.
Zack Pinto explores his gender identity in quarantine
Ames High School student Zack Pinto came out as transgender prior to the school-at-home mandate but spent time during quarantine exploring his gender identity.
The immigrant from Brazil was able to decide how he wanted to present himself to the world as it reopened to personal interaction.
Read Zack's story: Class of COVID: Ames student explores gender identity during pandemic isolation
Mary Arthur finds new motivation in quarantine
While she struggled with her mental health and schoolwork during quarantine, Lincoln High School student Mary Arthur said she emerged feeling motivated to focus on her schooling.
The change in thinking led her to meet new friends and set a course for college, though sometimes she still feels stuck in freshman year.
Read Mary's story: Class of COVID: Des Moines student finds motivation to focus on school after quarantine
New mother Rachel Garcia-Morales overcomes 'chaotic time' to finish high school
The pandemic quarantine took new mother and Roosevelt student Rachel Garcia-Morales away from her support system of other young parents and friends.
But despite the "chaotic time" to raise a daughter and go to school, Garcia-Morales graduates this year with Advanced Placement courses under her belt.
Read Rachel's story: Class of COVID: Des Moines student overcomes 'chaos' of raising child, finishing classes
Will college bring more social experiences for Olivia Moody?
A rural Iowan who attended North Polk High School, Olivia Moody said the pandemic stunted social experiences like football games or movie nights.
She plans to make-up those missed events when she goes to the University of Minnesota to major in journalism and environmental studies.
Read Mary's story: Class of COVID: Will college make up for lost social experiences in high school?
Ellas Rivas discovers new art forms
Ella Rivas discovered during a sophomore year Advanced Placement class that she liked to make art out of trash.
Her work won her a prize in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition as she prepares to go to art school in the fall.
Read Ella's story: Class of COVID: Pandemic pushes student to find new art forms, win national competition
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa's 2023 graduating seniors share how pandemic shaped their futures
