Courtesy photo
When students of the senior class of 2020 entered their school buildings in the fall of last year, they had no idea the way their final year of high school would end. There would be no prom or even a traditional graduation ceremony. In March, just after spring break, everything changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sports and social time with friends at lunch and after school programs all came to a screeching halt. Yadkin County students were just part of the collective locally and around the globe who had to get used to a “new normal.”
Samuel Crews, a 2020 graduate of Forbush High School, had so much to look forward to and then it all got cancelled. Sports was something Crews was particularly looking forward to as he had recovered from an injury that ended his junior year of soccer after only four games. Crews suffered from a lesion at the end of his femur (bone and cartilage damage) — an injury that occurs in adolescent athletes who are very active. He had Osteochondral Allograft surgery which is essentially a bone and cartilage transplant. He received donor tissue to have it repaired. Crews was non weight bearing for two months, and had three months of physical therapy. Though doctors originally determined it would take eight to 12 months for Crews to recover from his injury, he was released after only five months of rehabilitation. Crews played multiple sports at Forbush as well as serving as a student representative on the Yadkin County Board of Education. Crews shared his thoughts with The Yadkin Ripple on the end of his final year of high school and how he’s moving forward amid the pandemic as he begins his college career.
In his own words:
“Beginning my senior year of high school was something I had been looking forward to since freshman year. I was finally going to be the top dog. I had made it through three years with all my friends, some old and some new, and just great people all around me. I could not wait for the fourth and final year to start with sports, hanging with friends at the games, senior nights and actually getting to play my senior year. I was ready to face my final year head on and start making those final preparations for graduation and college. I could picture in my mind walking across the stage, shaking Dr. Kennedy’s hand after receiving my diploma, and getting to throw my cap as high as I could in Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University. Everything was planned; it was going to be THE year.
“The first semester of senior year was great. Classes went well and I had a great soccer season. I was ready to tackle my last semester as a student athlete at Forbush High School. I played my final basketball game and was ready to finish the school year strong. Then, out of nowhere, COVID-19 made its appearance and just like that, everything changed (and not in a good way.) Classes were cancelled and everything shut down. At first, I was kind of glad I didn’t have to go to class. I had no more early mornings, and I got to do my work in bed. I was ok with that. Then I started to worry. It was getting closer to the end of the school year nothing was changing. As a matter of fact, it was getting worse. I started wondering if there was going to be a graduation or prom or if we would ever go back. To make a long story short, we never went back. Ending my final year at Forbush the way we did was not in my plans. I would’ve liked to have finished my last year on campus surrounded by friends and teachers that I had grown to love over the years, but unfortunate circumstances did not allow that. A virtual graduation was not what any senior at Forbush had hoped for, but thanks to the awesome faculty and staff we pulled off a 2020 graduation fitting for the times.
“I didn’t let COVID-19 change my plans for the summer. I continued to hang out with friends and even played a little soccer and basketball. I worked full time most of the summer and enjoyed a few vacations with friends and family. Times were hard and uncertain, but I was determined to have a good time and enjoy the summer before starting college.
“As summer came to an end, I planned to start my freshman year at Surry Community College. I was ready to begin the Construction Management program, but not looking forward to virtual classes. Thankfully, Surry opened the campus and I finally had some hope of returning to a normal school schedule.
“So far, the college experience has been great. I love my classes and professors and I’ve met a lot of interesting people. I’m looking forward to finishing the two-year program at Surry and moving on to UNC Charlotte’s 2+2 program to get my bachelor’s degree in Construction Management.
“I want to thank all the amazing teachers, coaches and staff at Forbush High School that taught me, coached me, and encouraged me for four years (especially the last one). It was a difficult final year for us all, but you managed to make it one I’ll never forget. You all helped me get to where I am today, and I am grateful for your support.”
This is the final installment of a three-part series sharing the stories of Yadkin County graduates of the class of 2020.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-258-4035 or on Twitter and Instagram @RippleReporterK.