Hannah Portman is a Westport native. A graduate of Greens Farms Academy, she is a rising junior at Boston University. She contributes features to the Daily Free Press there — and is now an intern with “06880.” Hannah writes:
The members of Westport’s Class of 2025 have graduated. They’ve reached a time of new adventures, independence and excitement.
It’s a time too of anxiety, uncertainty and nostalgia.
Those conflicting emotions are shared by every class that walks across the stage and accepts diplomas.
But each year’s cohort is also unique.
For the Class of 2025, a global pandemic, a highly competitive college market, and social media mark their journey since freshman year
On their first day of high school, the world was just coming out of the most intense lockdowns. This meant hybrid learning, masks, social distancing and regular COVID testing — hardly an average welcome-to-high school experience.
Yet while those early months were difficult at times, they did not define the entirety of high school.
“Honestly, I haven’t thought about COVID in a very long time,” says Jacob Beaton, a member of the Staples High School graduating class. He’s headed to Northeastern University.
Jacob Beaton, at Northeastern University. (Photo/Joshua Beaton)
In fact, says Livia Orenstein, who graduated from Greens Farms Academy 2 weeks ago and will attend the University of Wisconsin, the coronavirus actually brought her class together, because they had to find ways around the policies to hang out. “We became problem solvers,” she says.
COVID pushed students to be creative, and brought them together in unusual ways. It also pushed them online.
Apps like TikTok and Instagram went from being fun distractions, to places where teenagers compare themselves to others. And feel pressure to keep up.
Orenstein says she felt an increase in anxiety among her classmates. “I feel like you could pick out a handful of people struggling even in my small class at GFA.”
Livia Orenstein (6th from left), and fellow Greens Farms Academy graduates. (Photo/Anna Renshaw)
The ability to hop online and compare experiences on social media made the college process much harder. Adding to the stress: Everyone wonders what colleges even look for these days.
“Some people are getting into schools they never thought they would get into, and some are getting rejected from schools they thought they had a 100% chance of getting into,” says Beaton.
While so much going on in the country right now seems like it would have an impact on admissions decisions, Liam Furlong — who will make the transition from Staples to Loyola University in Chicago — says he feels it did not have much of an impact on most people he knows in Westport. That includes funding cuts at the US Department of Education.
As they head to college, it’s to take stock, look back — and begin once again, as freshmen.
“Starting from COVID we’ve been through a lot. Now that it’s over it’s kind of like a breath of fresh air,” says Staples grad Alec Tolan, who is heading to Marist College.
Orenstein, Beaton, Furlong and Tolan agree on 2 things. Yes, it’s daunting and nerve-wracking to leave home and live independently for the first time. But it’s also exciting and liberating to leave home and live independently for the first time.
“I’m definitely excited to expand my horizons, and not live under my parents’ roof,” says Beaton.
Beaton plans on studying mechanical engineering and physics. Furlong hopes to be marketable for a wide range of jobs by majoring in logistics.
Whatever they do, and wherever they go — and despite COVID, social media and more — the Class of 2025 is ready for the next challenge.
“I feel like it’s exciting and I’m proud,” Orenstein says. “But I think the bigger step is the next thing.”
(“06880” regularly covers the accomplishments of students in Westport’s public and private schools. If you enjoy reading about the next generation, please click here to support our work. Thanks!)
