COVID-19 and the Class of 2020: Fairfax Co. graduate was forced into a big adjustment – WTOP

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in a lot of people's lives. Andrea Darmawan, of Fairfax County's Robinson Secondary School, had to make a change of plans that will affect her next four years -- at least.

The second in a series by WTOPs Kate Ryan on local high school seniors and how theyre coping with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the end of their school careers.

On one level, having to stay at home and take part in distance learning wasnt a big deal for Andrea Darmawan, 18, a senior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Virginia: Im an introvert by nature, she said, so I have not been too upset, to be honest.

But it did have its challenges. For one, she said, I struggle with being productive at home, and the structure of being in school helped her stay focused.

The other challenge was that Darmawan is blind, and having software that could meet her needs was critical.

Darmawan said she was lucky: One teacher had the foresight to get all the blind and visually impaired students at our school together to test the software. They did find some bugs that would have made the software unusable. It could have been worse, she said with a laugh.

Like every high school senior, Darmawan dreamed of hearing Pomp and Circumstance at her graduation ceremony, crossing a stage and collecting her diploma.

WTOP's Kate Ryan talks with a senior at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

She recalled in previous years watching livestreams of her friends graduations and thinking Oh my gosh, I cant wait to be that person! I cant wait to be up on that stage, and theyre going to be saying my name and theyre going to have everyone clapping for me and its going to be so great!

Then along came the coronavirus. And then it was, Oh well, nope.

COVID-19 and the Class of 2020

Graduation was scheduled for June 3, and there will be a photo opportunity for students, but Darmawan said, Its kind of anti-climactic, really.

For her, the effects of the pandemic could last well past high school: Her first-choice college was Emerson, in Boston, and she was accepted there. But she knew she needed to visit the school before enrolling, to determine whether it would be a good fit, especially from a logistical point of view.

The plan was to fly up with her mother and take advantage of an orientation. Thats when the coronavirus pandemic struck: Virginias stay-at-home order went into effect, and travel would mean a 14-day quarantine in Boston, which wasnt feasible.

So, the decision was made to attend the University of Mary Washington, in Fredericksburg, where shell study political science. And her future looks bright. She was thrilled to hear that the school plans on having classes on campus she wont have to settle for distance learning.

I need to be there, she said. Besides, having to pay for a college education but take lessons online negates the whole experience.

She said her teachers have prepared her to head off to college and have helped her push herself. One teacher, in particular, Ms. Bremer, nudged her out of my comfort zone.

She also described Mr. Ruiz and Ms. Marker as inspirational, passionate about their subjects and supportive of their students.

As a student with a disability, I always feel like Im kind of a burden, Darmawan said, because I have accommodations that teachers need to fulfill.

She said she felt supported at Robinson, but that wasnt always the case.

Darmawan was born in Indonesia, and attended school there for a year before coming to the United States.

I come from a country where people with disabilities dont have many rights, she said. Youre supposed to manage on your own.

Shes managing plenty as it is, as the coronavirus is directing a major part of the course of her life.The loss of her graduation and the change in her college plan are behind the advice she gives for others affected by the pandemic: Thats just the lesson I have, I guess: Just keep in mind that things arent always going to work out the way you imagined.

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COVID-19 and the Class of 2020: Fairfax Co. graduate was forced into a big adjustment - WTOP