Time quickly has flown by for the Class of 2024.  On Wednesday, August 30, the seniors returned for their final first day of school.

Several seniors could not believe that after full three years at JC, they are finally in their last year after what has felt like a short time.

Sydney Dawson commented that her last first day was bittersweet. “I am sad that I won’t have another, but I’m happy to start my senior year.”

She can’t believe how quickly the time has gone by between the first day of freshman year in 2020 to the first day of senior year and added that she knows that she will miss everything at JC.

“I’m going to miss the faculty and staff the most. They make me feel welcome, and in my time at JC, I have made so many friends and have grown close with many of my teachers, making close relationships with most of them.”

The Class of 2024 did not get a typical first day of freshman year due to COVID-19. For a good portion of the year, they logged onto their classes from home.

Many can remember logging onto Teams with shorter classes and asynchronous Fridays.

For the first half of the year, they were in the building according to their last names. Sometimes there may have been only five people in their class in-person, making it hard for people to communicate and make friends.

While their freshman year had those in the building wearing masks, their senior first day has begun normally with no masks and the entire class in the building.

Paige Martin said, “My last first day at John Carroll was bittersweet because my first day as a freshman I didn’t get to experience that first day of high school because I just had to log onto Teams for advisory. It was nice to have an actual last first day of high school for my senior year and getting to start differently than how I started.”

Paige has made a lot of bonds these past few years that she will never forget even going into college. She has loved all the teachers who she has encountered, all the coaches she has played for, and all the friends she has made at JC.

Sydney Barker also enjoyed her time at JC as she has gotten to make new memories. She has made close bonds and relationships with coaches, teachers, staff, and many students.

Sydney said, “I was super excited for my first day of senior year but also very sad. We’ve officially started out last firsts at John Carroll, and I know there will be many more to come, but I’m excited for what my senior year has to hold for me.”