My name is Joerail White, and I am a student-athlete at Richmond Senior High School. I would now be considered a former Richmond Raider football player and I also participated on the track and field team.
For the most part, we all know 2020 was supposed to be “our year” but tables turned fast. COVID-19 took over and put our senior year to an end causing all our spring athletes to miss out on something they love and causing all our seniors to miss out on being around their friends and not letting us finish our 13th year of school the way we all expected.
During this quarantine, things are somewhat complicated. We can’t see our friends, or go out and have fun, and continuing our education has been difficult. Principals and teachers all over Richmond County are trying their hardest to keep the students on the right track and making sure everyone is safe while the rate of cases is currently increasing.
Mr. (Jim) Butler is trying his best to give us seniors our graduation, something we’ve all waited and worked so hard for. Time is passing us by as we sit at home wondering when will this end.
With me being a student-athlete and participating in a spring sport that was cut short by this virus, it never hit me until things got worse and it was then official that the track season had come to an end after placing first in our one and only meet of the season.
As time goes on and college is getting closer, along with starting spring football workouts and classes, things are becoming difficult. A lot of time management comes into play with schoolwork, working, exercising and trying to spend quality time with family and friends while being safe.
At this point, knowing that my senior year ended because of virus makes me reminisce and want to be in school with my friends and teachers having fun. I never thought it would end this way, but it can make someone sad and give them deeper thoughts every night, especially me.
I say to myself and to some friends when I’m with them I just wish I could’ve gotten a ring. I just want one more play on that field. I wish I could go back and play one more year with the guys.
Going through a time like this will make all of us appreciate and cherish every moment we get regardless of what it is. Like I was always told, and even experienced on my own, you never know when your last play, last day or last chance could be given.
My message to class of 2021 is to enjoy it while it’s coming because it’s going to fly by and you will not realize it until that last day is here to walk across the stage after your name is being called.
This is my story, but this is our year.
