MPW.72 / 2020 A Different Sort of Senior Year by Claire Hassler
Photographer
Claire Hassler Minneapolis, Minn.

Team Cox

Story Summary

Abbey Ladegaard, 17, is one of countless high school students navigating senior year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Eden Prairie High School near Minneapolis, Minnesota has adopted a hybrid of virtual and in-person classes. The pandemic has effectively cancelled many milestone moments, like attending the homecoming football game and dance, and a school camping trip. Despite Covid-19, Abbey is able to participate in her last season on the tennis team and balance a socially distanced social life with friends and her church youth group. She makes the most of her senior year by spending time with family and friends as she adapts to a new normal.