The story behind @sjhs.seniors

In the midst of quarantine, Chloe Russell, 12, made an Instagram account to shout out the class of 2020 and help share the next chapters of their lives. Under the name @sjhs.seniors, the account asks seniors to submit their name and what they’re doing after high school. The account then posts a photo of them with their post-high school plan. 

“I wanted to make this account to honor the seniors of St. Joe,” Chloe said. “Class of 2020 is missing out on so much because of COVID-19. Most of us are curious about where our peers will end up and this [account] gives us the opportunity to sneak a glimpse at the future.”

Chloe’s goal in creating the account was to also allow seniors who weren’t comfortable reaching out to their classmates to be able to be informed on what’s going on with their class and their futures. She’s happy to say she feels she’s accomplished that goal and helped her peers stay connected, but still wishes that there was more that could be done to commemorate the seniors.

While the pandemic has everyone stuck at home, this year’s senior class is missing lots of experiences and memories. From prom, to graduation, and the senior all night party, plenty of SJHS traditions won’t be completed. But there are smaller things too: messing up the parking lots and even just proper goodbyes to their favorite teachers.

“Everyone wants us to have a great senior year. The school is doing everything in their power to figure this out and the best thing we can do is to go out with a bang,” Chloe said.

In these tough and unprecedented times, Chloe hopes to help spread a bit of positivity through the account and reminds the rest of her class to stay strong and stay connected.

cover image by sky stockton, self-portrait by chloe russel, instagram account photo by kiersten olson