As we all know, last year was an unusual one.  Students at Okawville High School turned out to be very lucky. Okawville was one of the 5% of schools across the nation to stay in person all year. Things were very different though, but with the new year, some of those guidelines and rules have changed and gone back to somewhat normal. 

Students no longer have to get their temperature taken in the morning when they come in. At lunch last year, they were also separated from each other with Freshman and Sophomores upstairs, and Juniors and Seniors in the Cafeteria.  This year, all grades are in the cafetorium but are still separated with tape marking places students can sit.  As for P.E., students are dressing this year and allowed to do weightlifting. One change that brings back a bit of normalcy is our desks. Last year all desks had to be spaced out according to the guidelines provided by the health department.  Now, the desks are closer together than last year, but still separated. 

A change some may say is the biggest and the best is sporting events. Last year only certain fans could attend games, with that most of the time being family. This year there is no limit on the amount of fans in the gymnasium as long as they are masked. For the students this means their beloved student section is back. This is not only huge for the student fans, but the athletes. I questioned Jordyn Heckert on how it feels to have fans back in the gym cheering the team on. She answered, “I feel it brings our team more energy and we feel a lot more support coming from our fans. They make the game feel more intense as well.”  

Although some things are going back to normal some never will. As of now, we are still wearing masks in the building. At the beginning of the year, our school decided they would recommend the mask, but then the governor decided to bring back the mandate of masks in schools due to the uprising of Covid cases. I asked senior Chloe Tepe how she feels about the way things are at the school as of now. She replied with, “With it being my senior year I am glad we are getting some normalcy unlike the two classes before. I am also glad we get to attend things like sporting events and dances they will be having this year.” 

Okawville still enforces the rules as Covid cases are on the rise once again, and more and more students are getting quarantined.  Okawville hopes to stay open again this school year as they did the year prior.