This year’s graduating seniors started high school during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gothamist interviewed four New York City students who are speaking at their commencement ceremonies about the message they hope to convey to classmates. Each graduate shared memories about awkward Zoom sessions, and the tense return to in-person classes. They also captured the unique lessons they learned while navigating historic education challenges.
Their answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Shoaa Khan said her fellow classmates can "get through anything" after enduring the pandemic.
Shoaa Khan, 18, graduating Landmark High School in Manhattan, with plans to study psychology at Lehigh University
We are your official COVID babies. Our high school learning experience may not have unfolded as we initially envisioned. I didn't know I'd be learning everyone's name for the first time online.
I just remember how awkward it was. There was this one time we were playing bingo in math class online. I was the only one that yelled bingo and it was so embarrassing.
I found my first few friends going hybrid. I grew really close with those people. And I've made so many great connections with so many different teachers. I've literally ranted to teachers about so many different things.
It's safe to say we all discovered the true essence of community.
Wherever we're going, if we're going into college, the workforce, or traveling, it's going to be OK. If we can get through COVID, we can get through anything.
Ahikara Sandrasagra said his classmates had overcome "incredible tragedy and loss."
Ahikara Sandrasagra, 17, graduating from New Explorations Into Science, Technology and Math High School in Manhattan, with plans to study engineering at Cooper Union
Who could forget how we're the last graduating class to experience the height of the COVID- 19 pandemic during our years in high school? We have overcome incredible tragedy and loss in our city and in our lives — starting out with only black boxes to stare at for a year before finally coming together in person to meet each other.
We can feel proud that we are part of a conscious generation, a generation that must respond to our world that is in need of healing.
I believe that together we will create a more humane and just world where all young people will have the opportunity to learn and be nurtured, just as we all were.
Marlon Rodriguez recalled learning important lessons about the importance of the mute button on Zoom.
Marlon Rodriguez, 18, graduating Pan American International High School in Queens, with plans to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice and become a lawyer
Our school is designed for immigrant students who recently came to the country. And that's what I actually love about our school, because since we come from similar backgrounds, we all support each other and we are there for each other.
We learned so much more than just math formulas, historical dates. We learned that sometimes a good laugh is as important as a good grade.
We have been through a global pandemic, survived virtual classes and even learned to appreciate the little things, like mute buttons on Zoom.
We'll always remember the friendships we have made. Together we have shared laughter, tears and countless inside jokes.
Let's go out there and show the world what we are made of.
Barbara Lewis, 17, graduating Medgar Evers College Preparatory School in Brooklyn, with plans to study biomedical sciences at the CUNY School of Medicine
I really want to leave my graduating class with a message about community. This is an integrated middle school and high school. Some of us have been here for four years. Some of us have been here for seven years.
Despite everything that's been happening, they have been so steadfast and so focused in their academic career and also in social justice movements, and I really commend them for that.
