As the trees begin to bloom, schools around Maine start to fill with anticipation.

This is not merely because summer looms invitingly around the corner, It is due to the fact that, for seniors, graduation season has finally arrived. College decisions and future plans have been made, all that is left for them now is to get their diplomas and put their plans into action.

After the recent spike in virtual graduation ceremonies, travel restrictions and other such consequences of Covid-19, this year seems to be the decisive turn for the better. While it is very easy to look back and only remember the bad things, we should also be proud of all the ways we have innovated in order to persevere. Whether this means turning snow days into remote days so graduation happens on time or wearing masks to keep our schools and community safe. Though these past couple years have not been without their hardships they have also not been without their joys.

For this year's graduating seniors, the future that lies ahead of them may seem much more certain than that of their high school experience. What should have been the most mundane and routine part of high school years was completely upended by the pandemic. While their time in high school was very rudely interrupted, they seem no less excited or prepared for the world that awaits them than any other graduates that have come before.

When asked if she felt her high school experience was affected by the pandemic Drisana Barna, a graduating senior at OOB High School said, “As hard as it was, I find it much easier to look back and remember the joy”.

Another senior, Maddox Mcarthy, felt the pandemic, specifically remote learning, negatively affected his experience. However, he said he felt that once class went back in person things got better.

I would have to heartily agree with them both and would only add how proud I am to be a part of the class of 2023. As the sun continues to shine and weather gets warmer it seems that the only thing that could rain on this year's graduation parade would be actual rain, so let's all hope for clear skies ahead.

Intern Margaret Roe is a graduating high school senior at Old Orchard Beach High School.