Tallulah Falls students happy to be back together

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  • Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM
    Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM
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   Students took cautious but confident first steps into the new academic year at Tallulah Falls School on Aug. 24. 

   With enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year at 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, the Light in the Mountains remains bright. 

   Although face coverings masked smiles as students arrived on campus Monday morning, sparkling eyes and muffled greetings to friends, teachers and other staff members delivered a hearty dose of positivity. 

   New students, greeted with welcoming words, made connections with peers while faculty and staff made sure everyone passed through health screening portals before entering academic buildings. 

   “We are pleased with the start of the new year,” said President and Head of School Larry A. Peevy. “We are optimistic the extensive preparations we put in place for our reopening will minimize the exposure to the virus; we are counting on the TFS family to partner with us when students are away from campus.” 

   As students return to classrooms and other areas, physical distancing is required and frequent handwashing is encouraged throughout the school day. 

   Members of the class of 2021 arrived extra early to meet the sun and to savor biscuits with classmates before commencing with the business of preparing for graduation. 

   “The senior sunrise was the perfect way to kick off the new school year. After many months apart, it was a great way to reconnect as the Class of 2021,” senior Katy Corbett of Lakemont said. “We are so lucky and blessed to be back at school and I can’t wait to experience a fantastic senior year.”

   Feedback from the seniors illuminated the determination of the group to live out the first month’s theme – “Better Together.” 

   “After staying home for so long, I was ready to accept whatever the school had to offer just to be able to go,” senior Caleb Carter of Demorest said. “I was pleasantly surprised though by how smoothly everything went on my first day, as everyone had to deal not only with COVID-19, but also with a new block schedule. So far, I have enjoyed the changes that the school has undergone this year and I am hopeful we will be able to finish the year on campus.”

   “TFS has tried really hard to make this an amazing senior year, and I believe it will be.” senior Brinson Hall of Mt. Airy said. “I think the class of 2021 has a special opportunity to get creative in the memories we make and the adventures we embark on. I am excited about what this year has to hold. I believe it will definitely be a year to remember,” 

   Maggie Jackson of Clarkesville said that everyone seemed grateful to be back with their classmates.

   “Not everyone has the same opportunity to come back together, and I know that I won’t take it for granted. I can’t express enough thanks to the administration, staff, and faculty for their work in providing us with this blessing.,” Jackson said. “Even though we won’t be able to do most of the traditional senior activities, I know that just being here and trying to make the most of every moment will be enough to leave with a full experience.”

   This article was submitted by E. Lane Gresham of the Tallulah Falls School.

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