Senior year traditions mean more in 2021

A year ago, I wrote a column about my oldest son, Jake, graduating from high school in a pandemic. His senior year was cut short and he missed out on many of the "lasts" that mark the end of this time in a student's life. Thankfully, his class was able to have a graduation ceremony in July and prom in August.

My middle son, Luke, was watching and wondering how his own senior year would be affected. He graduates this month and will join his brother at Northwest Missouri State University in the fall.

When the world closed down last spring, Luke got to work raising pigs for the county fair. He took on this project to benefit his FFA chapter, which is raising money for a new livestock building. A friend who graduated a couple years ago donated pigs for Luke to raise and show at the fair.

Then, as July drew nearer, the fair was canceled and the hearts of FFA and 4-H kids sank. Thankfully, it was decided they could still show livestock and other projects.

We were able to go see Luke show the pigs in person, with masks and social distancing. This was his first experience with pigs — a bit different than his cattle — and we were so proud he tried something new.

On sale day, we watched online as Luke brought the pigs into the arena. The auctioneer announced all proceeds would go to his school's FFA chapter. The community stepped up in a big way, and the two pigs brought more than $5,000.

Later in the summer, we were thrilled when our school announced classes would be held in person and football would go on as scheduled.

Luke got to play his senior season and was nominated for homecoming court. As he rode through town on the back of a convertible waving to the crowd, word spread that we had a positive case at school. Bunches of kids had to quarantine. The junior varsity players, including my youngest son, Will, had to step up. My boys got to take the field together, the team pulled off a homecoming victory, and they even got to have a dance.

School was in person all year for my boys, although quarantining students and those who chose to were able to learn from home. For them, life was as close to normal as it could be during a pandemic, and I regularly pointed out to them how lucky they were to spend this year with their friends.

Luke was so thankful to get to play football and basketball, throw the shot in track, serve his term as student body president, nail the lead role in the school musical, earn his Iowa Degree in FFA, go to FFA state convention, and participate in everything from academic team to speech and band.

Considering how many people have died from COVID-19 and the economic and emotional impact it has had around the world, these things may seem unimportant or even silly, but to this Iowa farm kid, they meant everything.