Class of 2020 continues to persevere

This week the Inter Lake is featuring local graduates with the Class of 2020 who define “profiles of perseverance” — students who have had to overcome adversity to reach graduation day. From withstanding unstable family environments, to surviving cancer, their determination to reach the finish line is an inspiration to all of us, both young and old.

That grit seems to permeate the entire Class of 2020 — a year that will go down in history books as one of change, challenge and sorrow. Not since 2001 have high school graduates faced such an uncertain future. Life as we knew it changed forever on Sept. 11, 2001, and today’s graduates are entering into a similarly insecure world with the unknowns of COVID-19 and its impact on the world’s economy and how we interact with each other.

But these young adults have shown maturity beyond their years in the face of the hardship and disappointment brought on by the coronavirus.

No prom? No problem!

Sports seasons canceled? It’s just a game!

Remote learning? We got this!

This class of seniors adapted on the fly with grace and their perseverance bodes well for the future of our community. Twenty years from now there’s a good chance we’ll look back at these graduates with the same admiration we do with the graduating class of 2001.

Congratulations, seniors. Anything is possible — now go make it happen.