Class of 2020 has been forged through adversity

Over the past two weeks, nothing has weighed more heavily on my mind than you, Wittenberg-Birnamwood Class of 2020. I know your emotions have to be running between disappointment, sadness and confusion.

Why does this happen during a time every adult tells you: “This is supposed to be the greatest time of your lives. Enjoy it now. Make the most of it, and take advantage of every opportunity you can”? These final months of school should be met with anticipation and excitement for events like prom, athletics, concerts and — most importantly — one final opportunity to walk with your classmates in celebration for all that you have accomplished together.

If there is ever a graduating class that has experienced rapid and significant change, adversity and the challenges life hands us, that distinction goes to you. You were born during a time when the events of 9-11 changed the course of the way Americans and the world went about their way of life forever. Never since has airport, stadium and building access been the same.

You have been a part of the transition from simply holding monthly fire drills, to now preparing and responding to an active intruder in our buildings. You have exercised patience through building construction, and now with the recent decisions surrounding the coronavirus and mandated school closure, are faced with yet another challenge of completing your senior year in a way none of us could have ever imagined.

It has been said that there is no education like adversity. Well, in that case, all you have endured and persevered through has truly prepared you for what lies ahead. The challenges you face and your response to them are the decisions that make you who you are today and who you will become tomorrow.

Success is not determined by the situations you experience. For we all know, you’ve experienced your fair share. It’s determined by how you choose to respond. Randy Pausch, the author of “The Last Lecture,” wrote this about adversity: “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.”

So here we stand, with another brick wall in front of us. It’s OK to feel disappointment, sadness and confusion through these uncharted times. You have the right to, but you need to know this: You are the Wittenberg-Birnamwood Graduating Class of 2020. No one can take that from you. It may not be playing out the way you had envisioned, but it’s yours.

It’s not over. No wall, no adversity, can stand in your way. We are there for you, we’re proud of you and we will see to it that you are provided with every opportunity you deserve in meeting all graduation requirements and will do whatever we can to support you every step of the way.

Keep forging ahead, keep believing through tough times, keep bulldozing down the walls and keep striving to win every day!

I have great admiration and respect for all of you.

Garrett Rogowski is the superintendent of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School District.