Nearly a year into the pandemic, local high school seniors are continuing to adapt to the new normal and facing the reality that some important rites of passage may be out of their reach, writes Davis Giangiulio for Main Line Today.

Alice Tran, a senior at West Chester East, was optimistic about what her final year in high school would look like. Instead of things improving, though, they got worse, and her planned study abroad was canceled as the district decided to go completely virtual.

“I don’t think anyone had any idea it would last this long,” said Tran.

As the months passed, Tran started to adapt and find ways to cope with the unexpected challenges. In addition to her classes, she is now doing some of her extracurricular activities virtually. For example, East’s academic team, of which she is a member, meets online.

“You have to adjust your work ethic and how you make time for school,” she said. “I’ve been reaching out to friends, and we help each other stay motivated.”

Read more about how high school students are coping with the pandemic in Main Line Today here.