On April 20, Southeastern Local Schools turned on lights at Trojan stadium for 20 minutes starting at 8:20 p.m. to honor the Class of 2020 and the sacrifices they have made due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The field was not open, but community members were invited to drive by to show support.
(Posted on April 30, 2020)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
All spring sports athletes at Southeastern High School will receive varsity letters, even though they lost their season to coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdowns.
The Ohio Heritage Conference, to which Southeastern belongs, suggested the idea. Craig Isaac, athletic director for grades 7-12 at Southeastern, was already planning on it. Letters will go to all spring athletes, freshmen through seniors.
“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” Isaac said. “I feel bad for every kid who signed up and had worked and was ready for that first meet or game. You can’t replace a season. Your heart goes out to those kids, especially the seniors, who put in three or four years and can’t complete it.”
Isaac also feels bad that students are missing out on year-end recognition banquets.
“It was their time to shine,” he said.
Principal P.J. Bertemes is putting together awards packets for students to pick up the week of May 19. The packets will include academic and sports recognitions–everything from perfect attendance, “strive for excellence” and scholarship awards to spring sports varsity letters, four-year athletic participation plaques, and letter jacket pins and medals.
“We’re making it a one-stop shop,” Isaac said, regarding the awards distribution. “We’re going to make sure those kids get those awards.”
Isaac noted that all seventh- and eighth-grade spring sports athletes will receive certificates.
When asked about fall sports this year, Isaac said that, as has been the case this season, it’s a wait-and-see situation based on how the pandemic progresses and the governor’s orders.
“The only thing I can tell you is I don’t think the fall season will look normal,” he said.)
