“Looking at photographs from prom, it gives you chills because you didn’t realize at the time it was one of the best moments of your life and you want to do it again,” said Evans, a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High.

But with classes and activities shutting down over the next several weeks, Evans, like so many other seniors, have had to confront the possibility that there may not be a prom this year. And Evans may not be able to host a graduation party.

The spread of COVID-19 have slowed those plans — at least for now.

“I was supposed to start my senior year of tennis this week,” Evans said on Wednesday. “I had my clothes ordered and everything.”

-Submitted photo
Fort Dodge Senior High senior Mason Bowman is concerned about how to catch up on school work when classes resume

Evans has been playing tennis for her entire high school career.

“My dad and grandpa both played when they were younger,” Evans said. “So I started playing and practicing in middle school.”

But instead of grabbing her racket and heading to the court, Evans has been home working on chemistry and French assignments. She’s also devoted some time to her artwork.

“(Being in school) is a big bonding thing,” Evans said. “To suddenly not have it is hurting.”

Noelle Johnson, 17, a senior at Manson Northwest Webster, is having the same feelings.

-Submitted photo
Noelle Johnson, 17, a senior at Manson Northwest Webster, finds her remote CNA class a challenge because it’s hard to learn hands-on skills online.

“It has taken a lot of time away from my friends and experiences the last few months of school I would have there,” Johnson said.

The virus has caused a senior trip for the National Honor Society to the Mall of America to be put on hold.

“We don’t know if that’s canceled or rescheduled yet,” Johnson said. “And that was from the fundraiser we had done since junior year, so that’s two years that people had raised money for it.”

In the meantime, Johnson has been spending time talking to her friends on the phone or online.

“A lot of my friends agree that we wish we were at school and do the stuff that was planned,” she said.

Johnson said she’s enjoyed being able to accomplish her goals while having the support of her friends.

“I got to go to state cross country this year and that was a lot of fun considering I started in seventh grade,” Johnson said. “Cheer was fun, too. I went to honor squad at UNI.”

Johnson continues to work on her CNA class remotely. She said that’s been a challenge.

“My teacher sent me notes,” she said. “I will be doing that remotely and that’s hard since you need to learn the skills.”

When not working on school, Johnson works part-time at Fareway.

Working during the pandemic has been intense.

“Everyone has been a little scared to go out and also we started cleaning a lot more,” she said.

Mason Bowman, 18, a senior at FDSH, is worried about trying to catch back up on material if and when classes resume.

Bowman is studying government, forensic science and public speaking.

“I did take an independent study class and it has paused my progress on that,” Bowman said.

Bowman said, “playing sports and getting closer to people in my class and connecting with the coaches,” is what he’s enjoyed during high school.

During his time away, Bowman has tried to spend time outdoors.

“Since I don’t have to go to school, I’ve been enjoying fishing,” Bowman said. “I do a lot of that.”

The three seniors each said they are concerned with how the closings will affect prom and graduation.

“There has been talk if prom will happen or not,” Evans said. “I recently just went and bought a dress with my friends. My senior prom is something I look forward to to spend time with friends and other people I care about on the dance floor.”

In terms of graduation, Evans wonders if she’ll have time to finish her last required class to graduate.

That last required class, she said, is government.

“I want to still be able to walk across the stage and grab my diploma,” Evans said.

After high school, Evans plans to move to Des Moines for a job while her and her friend attend Des Moines Area Community College. Evans plans to study math and science there. She eventually plans to attend Iowa State University.

Johnson has applied for the nursing program at Iowa Central Community College. Bowman plans to attend Iowa Central for mechanics.