By Amanda Wilkins
Never in a million years would I have believed it if someone had told me back in September that my Senior year would be cut short and my final season of softball would not take place.
But here we are and that is exactly what has happened, to my utter disbelief.
I had held out hope that even though it didn’t seem likely that schools would re-open on May 4, some way, somehow they would. When Governor Charlie Baker made his announcement last week, you could have knocked me over with a feather. To say I was in shock is an understatement! I had tried to put the thought of it actually happening out of my mind. My family was helping me to keep a positive attitude and outlook about the situation, when I would talk to my father about it, he would always say “you never know what could happen, so try and not worry too much.”
Now it has actually happened, and reality is slowly setting in, so is the sadness, disappointment and fear. Being disappointed about the sudden ending of my senior year is hard enough but when I think about not being able to play softball this season, it is sometimes too overwhelming. I have played on the varsity team since freshman year, and this final season was something I had been looking forward to since being named captain at last year’s banquet.
Not only was I anxious to get back on the field and start playing with my teammates, I was excited about getting the chance to show my team what a good leader I could be. My love for the game and for my team is something that is hard to put into words. Softball has been a passion of mine since a very young age and I have played with some of my teammates for many years. To be able to share our final season together was going to be epic! I look to this team as way more than just teammates that play softball together, these girls are my FAMILY!
We have so many wonderful memories as a group both on and off the field. Being able to go to Disney last year and play at the ESPN complex is a memory that I will never forget and that trip was one of the best experiences of my life so far. I am going to miss my team and my coaches so very much and I am so grateful for everything Coach Richard, Coach Jenny and Coach Ivy have taught me over the years.
Although my time at Classical is over, and I may not get to walk across the stage in June to get my diploma, the memories I have of the teachers, friends and teammates that have crossed my path over the last four years will remain with me always.