Upper School

A PANDEMIC FINISH

Our last “normal” school day was on March 13, 2020. “Bon confinement Monsieur!” I jokingly said as I exited my Latin class, in the same manner some would say “see you next year” to teachers before Christmas break. This marked the beginning of what was announced to be a two week confinement that rapidly overturned any and all expectations we seniors had for the end of our year.

Caps and gowns, prom, color fights, and dancing in the cafeteria during the Fête de Terminales, and the infamous graduation picture with all the sections: these were a few of the moments that were most eagerly anticipated. At the time, the news of each event being canceled felt like yet another disappointment. In retrospect, if it weren’t for the pandemic, Mr.

McGovern would have kept his nacho recipe a secret and none of us would know how to unclog the sinks in our student appartments (thank you, Mr. Colonna)*. On a more serious note, I think I can easily speak on behalf of the class of 2020 when I write that we were extremely fortunate the American Section teachers, staff, and parents tried their hardest to make up for all of the lost moments.

Apart from these symbolic events being canceled, what was most exceptional during the early weeks of the lockdown was the increasing number of questions, which no one seemed to know how to answer. This was an unprecedented period for us students who had always been able to turn to our teachers, administration, and even leaders of the Education Nationale, for guidance. Similarly, for years, we had known exactly where our academic path was leading us: the formidable baccalaureat. All of a sudden, with no one to turn to, we were overwhelmed by the announcement of a canceled bac, the confusion regarding how our final grades would be calculated, all the while navigating platforms such as Parcoursup and UCAS hoping that our final average would be sufficient to land us into our dream schools. No matter how positive or negative the admissions were for some of us, I think it is safe to say that this was perhaps the most difficult aspect of the pandemic: the constant uncertainty at an already hectic and “up in the air” time for seniors in general. So, where are we all now? From what I’ve gathered, I think we can define three scenarios. Some of us were fortunate enough to reach our respective campuses. This was my case as I officially began studying in Reims in early September. Although a week after opening SciencesPo made headlines for being one of the first clusters in France, university life remained relatively normal, whatever normal means today. Our first semester was almost entirely virtual, but extra-curricular activities were maintained until we entered lockdown in November. The second category is made up of those who were unable to obtain visas and began classes at home. Perhaps these are the students for whom the start of university has been most disappointing: for some, adapting to a different time zone has been the only option in order to attend live classes, forcing them to sleep all day and study all night. In that respect, Mr. Whitacre was right, Covid-19 has most definitely taught us resilience. Then there are the students who vacillate between home and university

depending on the latest restrictions/ lockdowns. As I am writing this short piece, many UK students are debating whether returning to their 10m2 dorms amidst the national lockdown is worth the stress of being unable to return to France and the solitude of online classes, coupled with yet another confinement.

For those who knew me in high school, they are well aware that my only criterion for university was “anywhere but France.” Taking all of these scenarios into account, however, I am extremely grateful for the simplicity that studying in France has offered me; no visa hassles or closing frontiers.

Lastly, I would like to thank Ms. Jenkins and the parents (Ms. Merer, Ms. Souchet, Ms. Tremblot de la Croix, and Ms. Baudrier) for organizing non-traditional but highly memorable graduation events, and the American Section in general for always keeping the doors open for us alumni for spontaneous visits. However unconventionally high school ended, I will keep only great memories of my American Section years.

Inès Armarnath ‘20

* Editor’s note: as a parting gift to the Terminales, Section faculty and staff put together a series of “how-to” videos to help students navigate living on their own. Life lessons included tying a tie, writing a check, sewing a button, and doing laundry.