FuelEd seniors learn from home

By The Prospector Staff

While most members of the Class of 2021 juggled changing school formats and quarantines, Araceli Roldan and Avrie Tomsik opted to complete their senior year online through the district’s FuelEd option. Both Roldan and Tomsik decided to complete senior year online because they prioritized keeping their high risk family members safe. Roldan, who lived with an aunt with stage IV pancreatic cancer, felt that the decision was the best

for her situation. “I knew I didn’t want to go back for the first semester because I wanted to spend any and all moments I could with [my aunt]. Not only did I grow closer with her in her last six months, but I also grew a lot closer with my other family members,” Roldan said.

Both Roldan and Tomsik found other benefits to FuelEd. “It was nice having the flexibility in creating my own schedule. With no due dates, it

was great to be able to work and do school without too much stress. It also allowed me to be around my family more often and do school in the comfort of my own room. I felt like I learned a lot and was able to do very well,” Tomsik said. Roldan also enjoyed the time she had to herself this year: “I know it may sound silly, but in four years you realize that you change a lot,” she explained, “and you may change in a positive

way- or in a negative way, and that’s okay! I got the chance to do something a lot of people don’t do, and I learned a lot more about me and focused on growing with that person.”

Of course, spending senior year at home wasn’t always easy. “I missed being able to see friends and having direct contact with a teacher. Even though I enjoyed teaching myself, it is always nice having a teacher you can easily talk to if you need help, so I missed that aspect of on-campus learning a lot,” Tomsik said. Roldan felt the same way. “A person I missed from school was my advisory teacher Mrs. Kerrigan; she was a safe place at school. Not only her as a person, but her classroom was a safe space. She never judged you for who you were, and she let you be you. She could talk to you about your feelings, and made sure you were okay. As a teenager growing up and not knowing who you are, it’s always nice to have a person/place to go to,” Roldan said.

In the end, both Tomsik and Roldan felt that their decision to spend their senior year at home completing FuelEd was a positive experience. Both seniors thrived in their work and were able to grow personally and become closer to their families. Next year, Avrie Tomsik plans to attend UCCS and major in Criminal Psychology. Araceli Roldan is taking a much needed semester off to spend time to discover what she really wants to do with her life.

Working Girl. Araceli Roldan cleans the bathroom at Raising Cane’s with co-worker Mia Proctor at closing.