Student Perspectives: Student athletes and the Coronavirus

For High School seniors bound for college, the Coronavirus pandemic hit at a pivotal time in their lives. Izzy Marsh, a senior at the McDonogh School, wishes she had one more day to say goodbye to her “second home” of thirteen years.

“I think the thing I will miss most about McDonogh is the sense of community and the amazing people in it. It still hasn’t hit me that I won’t have the opportunity to properly thank my teachers, who were so supportive in helping me achieve my goals,” Marsh said.

On March 12, McDonogh’s Head of School, David Farace, announced students would no longer meet for in-person instruction and instead begin distance education over Zoom. As seniors, Marsh and her classmates spent their final months at school sheltering in place, unable to enjoy the little freedoms earned throughout their four years.

“The switch to online learning took the best part of school away–playing games on the quad with my friends, talking with teachers, and my senior lacrosse season,” Marsh said.

Marsh was not only a captain for both the Field Hockey and Lacrosse programs but also served as a leader of two clubs and on the Honor Council. One of the clubs, “Playground Pals,” where students from the Upper School would attend the Lower School’s recess to create relationships with the younger students, was canceled due to the pandemic.

“During the stay at home period, I kept my lacrosse skills sharp and spent lots of quality time with my family,” Marsh said.

Although school was canceled, Marsh was still hopeful McDonogh would have graduation that would give the class of 2020 proper closure.

“I’m sad I missed out on the traditions of walking down the hill with my flowers to graduation and taking photos with friends in front of the John McDonogh statue afterward,” Marsh said.

Although Marsh did not finish her high school career as expected, she’s grateful for the lasting impact McDonogh will have on her for the years to come.

“If I have learned anything through this pandemic, it’s to appreciate things while you have them,” Marsh said.