Coronavirus has affected all age groups, although some undoubtedly more than others.

At GBHS, among the other concerns juniors face is the fear of their college admissions chances, whether they’re planning to pursue academics or be recruited for athletics.

Junior Shreya Reddy understands the reasoning behind many of the College Board’s standardized testing decisions.

“I think the SATs being cancelled, while sad, are necessary in order to try to keep kids safe, along with AP tests online,” Reddy said.

However, the result of such cancellations are complicated and colleges around the US are trying to make adjustments for the class of 2021’s lack of test scores.

“Some universities have recently changed their policies on standardized testing for class of 2021,” Reddy said. “This can be perceived as a good thing by students who aren’t the best test takers, but can also be viewed as a bad thing by kids who have already completed their standardized tests and have gotten scores they are satisfied with.”

Furthermore, Reddy believes standardized tests should have some weight in the college admissions process, since GPAs are weighted differently from school to school.

“This definitely isn’t an ideal situation, but I’m hoping colleges and other institutions will realize this and make fair adjustments in order to accommodate for these unprecedented times,” Reddy said.

Reddy also worries that online learning is less effective than in-person learning, especially since junior year is when students are supposed to take on heavier levels of coursework.

“I feel a bit less prepared than I normally would, only because I personally learn better in a classroom environment and (being) physically surrounded by other students,” Reddy said.

However, coronavirus is affecting juniors outside of the classroom too.

The 2020 baseball season was cut short and juniors who were looking to get scouted by colleges had their recruiting season cut short.

“The coronavirus has affected the recruiting process by not allowing us athletes to perform in front of college and pro scouts,” said junior Joe Plise. “Now that athletes aren’t able to play in front of the scouts we must work hard and keep in touch with the scouts that are interested and also present them with videos of practice reps so they can see that you are working hard.”

COVID-19 has affected the whole baseball team’s morale.

“(Coronavirus) has taken away our season which has been devastating especially since we had all the guys to dominate this year,” junior Reagan Freethy said. “This was going to be a really exciting season, and I never would’ve guessed this is how it would end.”

Freethy is also looking to get recruited. However, he’s trying to stay positive and optimistic about the future.

“Since I’m getting recruited, it slows down the process since we can’t go on any official visits right, and the coaches can’t come out and watch us play,” Freethy said. “I plan to play this game as long as I can, and take it all the way. I’m not letting the virus get in the way of this, because there is always something I can do to get better.”