A Letter from Student Government to Current Students
Posted 04/08/2020 12:38PM
Wednesday 8 April 2020
To our students,
So much of what we knew before is different now -- not by choice but necessity.
Not too long ago, hordes of students rushed the hardwood of the Rose Hill Gymnasium to share a special moment with our basketball team -- our first CHSAA varsity basketball championship in nearly 90 years. Not too long ago, students were completing their registration and attending their first spring sports practices of the season. Not too long ago, high school was normal.
With our daily life at the Prep having been hit by an indefinite pause button, I will be the first to tell you the reality of this situation still hurts. There’s no point in me trying to avoid or dance around the fact that we are all missing out on the physical elements and memories that come with Fordham Prep. And as the world around us closes, we all have every right to feel slighted or frustrated that this is our reality.
Our freshmen, having gotten through three-quarters of a pivotal first year filled with adjusting to change, now have to leave their new daily routine and adjust to more change. Our sophomores have to walk away from all the ways they progressed as members of our community -- through sports, extracurriculars and academics. Our juniors have had to take on challenges such as academics, SAT/ACT prep, and the college search process without a physical school environment to aid them. And for our seniors, this all hits especially hard knowing we might have gone through our last school day at Fordham Prep. With so much up in the air right now, it’s impossible to know how everything will pan out. And as much as I dread being the one to tell you this, there’s no special frozen snack that can make all this better.
But at the same time, we have lost the physical elements of being a Ram, I am hopeful we have felt more strongly the more intangible elements of being a Ram -- the ones that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The memories, friends, and talents we have developed will not be forgotten because of a temporary shutdown. As ironic as it seems, our whole community—teachers, students, faculty, staff -- is bonded together more now than ever before. We are bonded together in prayer for those whose family or friends either at risk of or currently suffering from COVID-19. So, regardless of any differences we have, we are all trying to get through the same crisis with the help of our faith and what we learned through our Jesuit education. I think it’s no coincidence that some of the national leaders that have emerged to lead us through this pandemic are products of Jesuit education, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
More than anything else, we’re the ones who decide how our time as FP students in quarantine goes. All I ask is that you do not get discouraged with all the changes going on. In turn, I can promise you our administration is set on translating as much of the meaningful aspects of Fordham Prep to a now digital setting. I am proud that Fordham Prep is trying to offer financial help to those families affected by the pandemic. Also, guidance counselors and teachers remain available for emotional support. And do not forget, as friends and classmates, we are here for each other too.
It’s on us whether we fully engage in our studies, maintain our friendships, stay in shape for respective sports, find ways to give back to the community and find silver linings in a difficult situation. And for our seniors, I know senior prom and graduation may not happen on their scheduled days, but I will do everything I can to support the Prep in making these events happen--better late than never.
I leave you with a simple but profound message from John F. Kennedy, who experienced more than his fair share of tragedy in the course of his lifetime, and used those experiences to be a more resilient person and leader: “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.”
AMDG
Take care,
Clark Hooper '20
Student Government President
To our students,
So much of what we knew before is different now -- not by choice but necessity.
Not too long ago, hordes of students rushed the hardwood of the Rose Hill Gymnasium to share a special moment with our basketball team -- our first CHSAA varsity basketball championship in nearly 90 years. Not too long ago, students were completing their registration and attending their first spring sports practices of the season. Not too long ago, high school was normal.
With our daily life at the Prep having been hit by an indefinite pause button, I will be the first to tell you the reality of this situation still hurts. There’s no point in me trying to avoid or dance around the fact that we are all missing out on the physical elements and memories that come with Fordham Prep. And as the world around us closes, we all have every right to feel slighted or frustrated that this is our reality.
Our freshmen, having gotten through three-quarters of a pivotal first year filled with adjusting to change, now have to leave their new daily routine and adjust to more change. Our sophomores have to walk away from all the ways they progressed as members of our community -- through sports, extracurriculars and academics. Our juniors have had to take on challenges such as academics, SAT/ACT prep, and the college search process without a physical school environment to aid them. And for our seniors, this all hits especially hard knowing we might have gone through our last school day at Fordham Prep. With so much up in the air right now, it’s impossible to know how everything will pan out. And as much as I dread being the one to tell you this, there’s no special frozen snack that can make all this better.
But at the same time, we have lost the physical elements of being a Ram, I am hopeful we have felt more strongly the more intangible elements of being a Ram -- the ones that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. The memories, friends, and talents we have developed will not be forgotten because of a temporary shutdown. As ironic as it seems, our whole community—teachers, students, faculty, staff -- is bonded together more now than ever before. We are bonded together in prayer for those whose family or friends either at risk of or currently suffering from COVID-19. So, regardless of any differences we have, we are all trying to get through the same crisis with the help of our faith and what we learned through our Jesuit education. I think it’s no coincidence that some of the national leaders that have emerged to lead us through this pandemic are products of Jesuit education, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
More than anything else, we’re the ones who decide how our time as FP students in quarantine goes. All I ask is that you do not get discouraged with all the changes going on. In turn, I can promise you our administration is set on translating as much of the meaningful aspects of Fordham Prep to a now digital setting. I am proud that Fordham Prep is trying to offer financial help to those families affected by the pandemic. Also, guidance counselors and teachers remain available for emotional support. And do not forget, as friends and classmates, we are here for each other too.
It’s on us whether we fully engage in our studies, maintain our friendships, stay in shape for respective sports, find ways to give back to the community and find silver linings in a difficult situation. And for our seniors, I know senior prom and graduation may not happen on their scheduled days, but I will do everything I can to support the Prep in making these events happen--better late than never.
I leave you with a simple but profound message from John F. Kennedy, who experienced more than his fair share of tragedy in the course of his lifetime, and used those experiences to be a more resilient person and leader: “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.”
AMDG
Take care,
Clark Hooper '20
Student Government President