Boothbay Region High School seniors were met with one of the most difficult deadlines a high schooler faces May 1: Decision Day. However, this year’s was exceptionally hard for most students deciding on a likely vocation or field of study.

With 20 out of 30 graduates going on to a university or community college, some might wait out the COVID-19 pandemic before fully committing to post-secondary programs. BRHS College Access Coordinator Hannah Johnson said many colleges are already planning on holding an entirely online fall semester.

“As a freshman, that's not necessarily what you want your experience to be. Students want that ‛going away to college’ feel of living in a dorm and making new friends. They don't want to be at their parents' house in their bedroom trying to master college-level curriculum. That's not really a recipe for success.”

However, Johnson said students do not seem to be letting the pandemic dictate their life goals. Nicholas Morley and Hali Goodwin have plans and they intend on sticking to them.

From a young age, Morley set his sights on lobstering, but as governmental regulations on the industry have tightened, he decided having a degree would be a good backup plan. He will study business at Thomas College, play for its lacrosse team and return to Boothbay Harbor frequently to continue fishing.

“COVID made my decision easier actually because we’re seeing low lobster prices like never before. So, it really shows you how quickly things can go downhill without a backup plan.”

Morley is opting to finish out the fall lobstering season before going off to Thomas for spring semester. He said it will allow him to continue doing what he really loves, and stay out of the close quarters of college dorms and classes.

“I really like how small Thomas was and how close to home it is. That will allow me to come home to get ready and work when I have to.”

Goodwin, the class valedictorian, will attend Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science in the fall for a degree in engineering. She said a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classes were to thank for piquing her interest in the subject and she regrets not being able to take some more before graduation.

“COVID-19 has affected our senior year in the biggest way, and just as we were beginning to get to the fun parts,” said Goodwin. “(It’s) when we finally get to take a breath and look back on our hard work and the memories with our friends, and it’s really difficult for all of us to miss out on that.”

Having watched the Class of 2019 enjoy its last semester at BRHS before going out into the world, she said missing the rite of passage of campus visits and class audits made senior year and the college selection process even harder.

“We would be attending accepted students days around this time. I was really excited to attend these events to get a feel for the campus before going in the fall … Syracuse and many other schools have done a great job with online webinars and virtual tours/events to make the process a bit easier. It was hard to pick a school without being able to compare my choices in person, but I’m very happy with my decision.”

Decision Day 2020

Chloe Arsenault, University of Southern Maine, health sciences, field hockey and lacrosse; Colby Babcock, Southern Maine Community College, heating and plumbing; Lauren Barclay, gap year; Brogan Barter, Spofford Builders, carpentry; Ethan Barter, Pinkham’s Gourmet Market; Mark Bayaca, traveling and workforce; Stephen Bennett, Plymouth State, undecided; Clarence Burnham, Eastern Maine Community College, carpentry; Hunter Crocker, Thomas College, cyber security; Michael Cusumano Jr., Midcoast Dive Services; Madison Faulkingham, Wheaton College, animal science; Hali Goodwin, Syracuse University, engineering; Zachary Goodwin, culinary; Michael Hollowell, Thomas College, cyber security; Rowan Kristan, Maine Maritime Academy, marine engineering technology; Nicholas Morley, Thomas College, business; Alexandra Nein, Wheaton College, psychology/social work; Timothy Norton, Emerson College, media arts production; Jordan Pait, SMCC, culinary arts; William Perkins, University of Pittsburg Honors College, business and mathematics; Isaac Pray, Strive University; Quinn Ranta, Central Maine Community College, automotive; Benjamin Rumney, University of Maine Orono, engineering physics; Josey Smith, Converse College, biology, field hockey; Jacklen Steinmetz, traveling; Kaitlyn Tuttle, Kennebec Valley Community College, early childhood education; and Jaden Welsh, Thomas College, entrepreneurship and small business.

Video created by BRHS Class of 2020 President Hali Goodwin