For the last two years, senior events have been either cancelled completely, or done at an unsatisfying partial capacity.

While it’s understandable that this was for the students’ protection during a pandemic, a lot of seniors this year are hoping to have their events -mainly prom- at full capacity.

When asked, Wiskur responded with high expectations for turnout at this year’s prom at the Lapeer Country Club on May 7. He also acknowledged why so many other schools are struggling to find a venue.

“I expect between 300-400 kids, masks optional,” said Wiskur, “but a lot of places just don’t have the staff to handle these proms.”

He’s not the only one who’s looking forward to prom. Senior Ameirr Garner has been ready for prom her whole life.

“Definitely, of course. I’ve been looking forward to prom forever.” said Garner.

Another event students look forward to is senior day. It’s an hour long event where seniors come into the gym, dressed in their caps and gowns, and listen to a speech from the senior class president before being entertained by a talent show, a slideshow with each senior’s baby picture, and (most importantly) the senior skit.

Wiskur is allowing a typical class day this year.

“We really need to start thinking about that, if we’re gonna have a class day. I really don’t have a problem with it.” said Wiskur.

A senior class trip is a possibility this year, but transportation will be a challenge with Charter Buses not yet running at full capacity.

Senior class representatives are pushing for a trip, including senior class president Abigail Rangel.

“I want to try and make this work for the senior class,” Rangel said, “We’ll need to do some fundraising first.”

Another headache for students and teachers alike has been alleviated with the intent to smooth over the end of the year for seniors. The decision to cancel second semester exams for seniors (who are passing and have not exceeded nine absences) was purely practical as first semester exams are still being resolved over a month later.

The students quarantined over exams have, by no fault of their own, complicated the process significantly. But at the end of the year, administrators will need to know exactly who is and isn’t graduating within the senior class by a specific deadline, which will be more realistic to reach without exams to factor in.

Wiskur also wants to make things easier on seniors as their lives become more complicated at the end of the school year.

“[Exams are] a pain in my butt right now. I think the seniors got shafted on the SAT because it was optional. I want to reward the kids that do what’s right.” said Wiskur.

Since this interview, the notification was sent via email to KHS students and parents announcing the cancellation of second semester exams for all high school students with the same attendance and grade criteria, not just seniors.

Of course, this relief is balanced with some disappointment.

The cancellation of senior quotes in the yearbook was not only caused by one inappropriate quote last year as many people have been informed, but comes after annual struggles with unacceptable quotes sneaking past the yearbook staff and reporters.

“In previous years, every year, somebody sneaks in an inappropriate innuendo, a phrase, or an underlying meaning that can either be racial or ethnically inappropriate,” Wiskur said, “Then they’re printed and they’re out there in the public.”

Wiskur added that the suggestion was made to the yearbook team to have students include all the clubs and activities they have been involved in over their high school career instead of a quote, and yearbook teacher Natalie Shelton plans to move ahead with some kind of replacement.

“I’ve been talking to my staff about it this week, and right now we’re on the fence about it. We have some other ideas that we thing the students might like.” said Shelton.

Another return to normalcy for this year’s senior class will be having the graduation ceremony once again held at The Whiting, where the more formal setting will include proper seating, better acoustics, and a crowd favorite: air conditioning.

Pandemic safety regulations including mask requirements will be determined by The Whiting, though they will most likely be optional.

Let’s dive into the pandemic update at KHS.

According to Wiskur, it is incredibly unlikely that we will be going online again. Last year’s experience was detrimental to a lot of students and resulted in a lot of failures.

“It would take a tragic pandemic or something, there’s no way we’re going online again,” Wiskur said, “Long story short, we have so many freshman failures that this freshman class has 325 kids in it.”

A lot of schools in the surrounding area, including Davison, Flint, and Grand Blanc have gone online for a limited amount of time, but that was less about cases within the school than having too many teachers quarantined or out sick to have enough substitute teachers to compensate.

Any changes in mask regulations will come from the Genesee County Health Department, but Wiskur hopes they become optional soon, suggesting they cause a decrease in class participation.

“These masks, whether it’s just a barrier, but these kids don’t want to engage with their instructor,” said Wiskur, “I hope they come off, or give kids the option.”

A large portion of the school is vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus as well, Wiskur approximated 95% of the staff and 60% of the student body as vaccinated.

The un-vaccinated students that are in close exposure with someone who contracts the virus are faced with the choice to work from home in quarantine or be tested every day before going into their classes.

For the students that contract the virus, there are not a plethora of options. They are forced to quarantine in their home.

Wiskur acknowledges this is not the optimal scenario.

“We have teachers posting on google classroom, which I know isn’t the answer, but it’s something.” said Wiskur.