To the Class of 2021: It Isn’t Fair

I have four amazing kids who, like millions of other kids, adapted to having their school and educational experience pulled out from under them in March of 2020. Now that summer is winding down and the new school year is starting to take shape, I find myself anxious and sad. I’m sad because two of my kids are Seniors and their year is not going to be a “normal” Senior year.  They both will have very different Senior years than what they’ve dreamed about and anticipated.

It’s no one’s fault, but I feel like screaming “It’s not fair!” like a toddler. However, as an adult (most of the time), I can’t stomp my feet and pitch a fit until I get my way.

The following words are written to my Seniors, but really can be said to anyone in these trying times. My hope, in writing these words, is that we can acknowledge some of the little things we used to take for granted, but now, only dream about happening.

Dear Megan,

Your senior year in high school is not going to be full of Friday night football games where stands are packed. There won’t be school assemblies to acknowledge all the accomplishments of you and your classmates. In all likelihood, I won’t see you and your friends gather together for homecoming, Senior Girls breakfast, Trojan Night or many of the activities that make Senior year extra special. You won’t get to gather in the commons area and chat at lockers between classes. You won’t get to high five your friends when your presentation goes well. You won’t get to eat lunch in large groups and catch up on your day.

I know that your teachers and administrators will do everything they can to make your Senior year special and you will, no doubt, still get your education. We have no idea what your graduation will look like, but we do know that your entire Senior year is going to be a time of uncertainly and change. Your Senior year will be unlike any other Senior year any class has experienced before yours.

It’s not fair. It’s not what us parents have dreamed for you and for that, I am sorry. I have no doubt that you all will handle this year will grace, while smiling the entire time. But, I’m still sad for you.


Dear Connor,

This is your last year of college and I can’t not tell you how proud we are of you. You went off to a large school, jumped into extra-curricular activities and clubs and have earned the title of “leader” in several of those. You have maintained a 4.0 every semester, earned a top score on the MCAT and will be heading to medical school next summer. This past spring break, you came home for a week and stayed 5 months. No one saw that coming and now, the start of your last year at KU is already looking foreign. What will your Senior year of Marching band look like? Will we get to see you walk down The Hill before games? Will we hear your name called on Senior day at Memorial Stadium? Like your sister, we know you will get your education and diploma, but what about the college experience of being a Senior? How can you experience that with masks, social distancing and online learning?


Dear Class of 2021,

As you start your Senior year, know that all of us parents, teachers, staff and family have your back. We will fight to make sure your last year has a few things that honor and acknowledge you and your accomplishments. We will take pictures and cheer you on from a distance. Under our masks, our smiles will be so big, you will see it in our eyes. Our cheering will be muffled by material, but our hearts will be overflowing with love and admiration.

And in the end, you will learn how to adapt, change with grace and grow into adults who find the good in every situation.

For that…I am grateful.

Cyndra Whiddon
Cyndra is a Wichita Native, mother of 4, wife of one busy MD and volunteer to many! She loves to workout, read, run, spend time with her kids and have dates with her husband. She is an RN but hung that hat up in 2001 to become a full time stay at home mom. Her favorite, hardest, most demanding, rewarding job has been being a Mom.