by Vendela Krenkel ’20

With the guarantee that students will finish off this school year at home, questions of whether the end-of-the-year events for seniors will still take place, rescheduled for later, or cancelled altogether have arisen. Because of the decreasing number of cases of Coronavirus throughout this past week, Governor Larry Hogan has announced that Maryland may partially reopen in stages as soon as next week, should the falling trend continue.

Last week, Hogan announced that Ocean City would be lifting restrictions to permit short-term rentals to groups of 10 and under. Although it will not be enforced, visitors are encouraged to practice safe social distancing.

However, this does not mean that prom and beach week will still be held. Lifting the stay-at-home order would allow some non-essential businesses to operate with curbside pickups and deliveries, but would certainly not permit large gatherings, like prom. According to the Washington Post, Marylanders can expect to wear masks and maintain the six-feet-apart rule for months to come.

Not only is the safety of seniors a concern that will influence prom, but the uncertainty that follows the Coronavirus has and will make it difficult to plan. Although the venue and details had already been decided on, the dance cannot be held until the venue chooses or is allowed to open. Many venues and DJs are booked up to a year in advance, and summertime is typically the reunion and wedding season, so finding available slots could prove to be an issue. In addition, timing issues could complicate the planning, as seniors prepare and leave for college (assuming the fall semester will still be held in person). Currently, the SGA is looking into a senior dance at Sherwood.

“Looking ahead, we are open to having an event for the seniors at another time, if it’s approved and if it is feasible logistically and safe to do so. August would not be out [of] the question. We just all have to wait and see, which no one wants to hear, but it’s where we are, at this point,” said junior SGA sponsor Pamela Johnson.

Play It Safe, the annual program hosted in Ocean City during senior week that provides discounted bus fares and free activities for seniors on vacation has been called off for the year, and many Airbnb and Vrbo hosts are accommodating last-minute cancellations. Ocean City’s beaches just opened this weekend, but Hogan has reiterated his worry that crowds in Ocean City could lead to an influx of COVID-19 cases. Some seniors are considering postponing their trips to later in the summer and visiting a different beach, but even this planning for the future is dependent on Hogan’s decisions and the severity of cases in Maryland.

Despite this, Sherwood plans to host a Celebrating Our Seniors Together (COST) during the week of May 18, which will consist of virtual ceremonies to honor the Senior Class. On Monday, an Awards Ceremony will be held. Seniors can expect to hear back about the PTSA Scholarship at this time. On Tuesday, Sherwood’s Athletic Recognition will take place; on Wednesday, the Fine Arts Farewell and Senior Night; on Thursday, the Steppingstone Event; and on Friday, TV Production will host its final episode of the year.