High school rites of passage are canceled by COVID-19

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Madeline Smith, a junior at Notre Dame Academy in West LA, got accepted into her top college of choice. But with stay-at-home orders, she misses hanging out with her friends in-person, and hopes she can visit them before heading off to college. Photo courtesy of Madeline Smith

Due to stay-at-home orders, LA’s high school seniors are missing out on prom, and worrying about graduation and college.

High school student Madeline Smith was accepted into her top college choice, but she was looking forward to celebrating with peers. “I do miss hanging out with friends. It's quite different. Zoom ... does not feel the same. And … I never realized how much my time on campus was part of my whole high school experience. Hopefully I get to visit [teachers and friends] … before I go off,” she says.