West Orange High School: Class of 2022 — Irreplaceably special

Brooke Ames: The senior Class of 2022 is unique because we’re the first class to completely bounce back from COVID. We’ve seen what all the classes before us have lost, and that has taught us to not take anything for granted. We have worked extra hard to make this year fun and special, and there have been so many fun events this year that years before never got the opportunity to enjoy. We are really lucky because we just made the cutoff, and we are fortunate enough to have an amazingly normal senior year. 

Emma Beadle: The Class of 2022 is unique because we are the first class back to a somewhat normalcy since COVID hit. Classes in the past did not even have the chance to have a graduation. We were able to come back with a bang, and we’re able to plan all kinds of events to make this year special for the seniors. We are able to set a good example for the classes to come that throughout the hard times you can still make things work and push through challenges. Our class shows how possible it is to come through the end of the tunnel to the light. 

Maggie Blaine: I think of how strong we’ve become with everything we overcame. Back in 2020, when COVID-19 hit, nobody knew what we were in for. This graduating class is the first to overcome the pandemic completely. We were able to have a normal year with events such as homecoming, prom and graduation. We went into the pandemic not knowing what the rest of high school would look like, and now we are stronger than before, ready to walk into the next chapter of our lives, finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Taylor Duncan: What makes the West Orange senior Class of 2022 unique? Other than the many friendships and memories we’ve all created, we’ve all shown hard work and creativity through these difficult times we’ve faced. COVID has definitely helped us all appreciate the little things such as the opportunity of getting to go to school or even socializing among one another. Not being able to enjoy high school the way many of us dreamt of, we’ve been super thankful for little moments of normality we’ve had this senior year such as football games, homecoming, prom, graduation! COVID has definitely helped us not take these moments for granted and instead has brought us closer together as a class.

Hailey Lampshire: The Class of 2022 is unique because we all have a close bond and interact with each other. We are all actively involved in supporting each other, whether it is showing up to each other’s sports games or going to the beach together. We even have a big photo album that we all add pictures to throughout the year from different events. Even having gone through a pandemic, the Class of 2022 still found a way to stay positive and finish our final year strong.

Nolan Maroth: The Class of 2022 is very unique because it is a bridge between two very different generations and presents people who have seen both sides of the spectrum. We are tough, courageous and, most importantly, centered on goals. Everybody in the 2022 class is focused on achieving something important to them — whether it be through school, sports or other activities. The bond that we have with one another is unmatched. Through thick and thin we have stuck together and come out on top every time.

Samantha Novak: This year’s graduating Class of 2022 means so much to me. There are so many people that make this class special, and everyone has their own ideas and thoughts that have made this year the best. What makes this class unique is everyone’s talent and ability to do whatever they want to do. There are so many professions out there that I believe that there is one person for each one of them. In our school, we have so many clubs and team activities that there is always something for you, and you can’t be afraid to try new things. You can’t say you don’t like something if you don’t try it. 

Cambrie Riffe: There are many things that I love about the Class of 2022, but what I believe makes our class unique and stand out from the others is our courage and willingness to lead. This year, we were upperclassmen to students who had never had a normal year of high school. Regardless, we led by both example and action at full force this year, and restored the standard back to the way it was before — but much stronger. The excitement and eagerness the Class of 2022 has displayed from the very start of this year has set the pace for the following classes, which is irreplaceably special.