ATSC senior Lucy Kupka 

Question: What was the event that got cancelled?

Answer: Wheaton Warrenville South Invitational

Q: What was special about this competition?

A: For [ATSC] the hardest part was it was our last competition and for the seniors, the last of everything. You know it’s your last so you just want to take it all in, every moment. We didn’t get a national competition this year, but this was essentially our national competition this year with the longer trip. It’s just fun to make those memories and it just really stinks that it is over and we didn’t know.

Q: Do you think the competition should have been cancelled?

A: I don’t want anyone to get sick. I think it was smart [the competition was cancelled] but it doesn’t make it easy.

Q: Are members in ATSC upset about this decision?

A: Everyone that I have talked to in [ATSC] is really upset about it. We didn’t know that a couple weeks ago was going to be our last [competition]. If it would’ve been our second to last competition I think it would’ve been different because we would’ve had one more [competition] but we don’t.

Q: Will this affect ATSC in the future?

A: Not at all. It is just sad for the seniors.

DECA senior Eva Collins

Q: What was the event that got cancelled?

A: State DECA.

Q: What was special about this competition?

A: The state competition got cancelled and that was the one where if you placed in the top three then you could make it to nationals.

Q: Do you think the competition should have been cancelled?

A: The weekend [State DECA] was supposed to be, I think it would’ve been fine. But as for Nationals, they were supposed to be in about two weeks and obviously coronavirus has escalated and it probably wouldn’t have been safe.

Q: Are members in DECA upset about this decision?

A: A lot of people worked on projects the whole year and put a lot of time and effort into them. Those people are very upset because they didn’t know that their big essay, which some are 25 pages, didn’t really need to be written. But otherwise, people thought it was a safe decision.

Q: Will this affect DECA in the future?

A: This will be a one time thing and next year people will be able to go to state and experience it, like it’s supposed to be.

QuizBowl junior Paul Suder

Q: What event got cancelled?

A: State QuizBowl Tournament

Q: What was special about this contest?

A: We had a bad run last year [at state] and we were hoping to make it up, especially for our captain because it was his last year. It is rough not being able to go.

Q: Do you think the contest should have been cancelled?

A: Yeah. With all that is going on it is safest for all parties involved. Better to have it be cancelled and everybody be safe and healthy than an infection or sickness happening to a lot fo people.

Q: Are members of QuizBowl upset about this decision?

A: Yeah we were really upset. We all felt bad for our varsity seniors who aren’t able to go. The fact that seniors won’t be able to go to their last competition is really rough. I feel bad that our season had to end like this. But again, I think that it’s the best decision [health professionals] could have made.

Q: Will this affect QuizBowl in the future?

A: I think it will affect a lot of things in the future. Definitely just having to restart everything. It’s just a stop start sort of thing. Having to start everything over next year will be kind of difficult.

Science Olympiad senior Elizabeth Berry 

Q: What event got cancelled?

A: State Science Olympiad

Q: What was special about this contest?

A: State is our chance to go to nationals and it’s the biggest competition we go to. I means a lot and it’s a whole day where the team gets to go out and have fun and show what we’ve been working on for a year now with teams all across Nebraska who are doing the same thing.

Q: Do you think the contest should have been cancelled?

A: Definitely. It’s sad to say but it’s the right choice. Everyone’s safety is obviously more important than the event. Again it’s sad and nobody wanted it to happen, it is necessary.

Q: Are members of Science Olympiad upset about this decision?

A: Yeah especially because a really big majority of us are seniors so it was our last chance to compete and were all really sad because we thought we had a good chance this year. In the end we had a good year together having fun every week

Q: Will this affect Science Olympiad in the future?

A: I don’t think so. [State Science Olympiad] is a yearly event and it will happen again. As far as I can see, it’s nothing too major.

Choir senior Sam Howdle

Q: What event got cancelled?

A: District Music Contest.

Q: What was special about this contest?

A: The songs we were doing were more emotional and challenging and we were so excited to perform them but we can’t now which is really upsetting.

Q: Do you think the contest should have been cancelled?

A: Yes, just because everything has been getting cancelled and to keep us safe is probably the best thing to do.

Q: Are members of Chamber Choir upset about this decision?

A: I would say probably most [members] are upset but are being reasonable about the decision to cancel because it is so dangerous to go outside or anywhere really. Especially with this contest that is lots and lots of people would be a high risk place to be.

Q: Will this affect Chamber Choir in the future?

A: I think it will make people more appreciative in later years and realize that things can be taken from you in an instant. You won’t have that opportunity to perform for someone when you’ve been preparing and looking forward to it. Since it’s been taken away from us, [future members] can appreciate it more in years to come, with the experience that [current members] are facing right now.