The COVID-19 Pandemic has prevented opportunities, experiences, and milestones for the students at McQuaid Jesuit High School. Last year, students at McQuaid lost the chance to experience “Z” Day because of the uncertainty of the virus. According to McQuaid President, Fr. Judge, S.J., McQuaid will be having the “Z” Day activities, but it is limited to only seniors. 

“Historically a school-wide field day, we will modify this year’s Z Day to be entirely outdoors, with faculty-senior competitions and a cookout lunch to conclude.  Student attendance for this year’s Z Day will be limited to seniors,” proclaims Fr. Judge, S.J., McQuaid’s President. 

At McQuaid, “Z” Day represented the chance for all students to relax and have a field day before Final Exams. It wasn’t just for seniors. It was a school wide experience that was necessary for maintaining a positive student morale.

McQuaid’s student morale is at an all time low. The COVID-19 Pandemic has taken away many opportunities for the students, such as activity nights, Simba cheer sections, and social gatherings. In reality, the students at McQuaid are facing a mental health risk.

According to Healthline News, a poll shows that 46% of parents say their teens have shown a worsening of mental health since the pandemic began in March of 2020. McQuaid’s “Z” Day activities provided students the possibility to lighten their mood, express themselves, and have fun, which would eliminate the stress of this COVID year. It had a community aspect.

But with the activities being limited for only seniors, is this fair for the other students? It seems that the “Z” Day activities have lost the community aspect it once had.

Michael Spiegel, ’23, a sophomore at McQuaid, believes that it is not fair for “Z” Day to be only limited to seniors. 

“Not getting to experience “Z” Day is basically the same as it getting cancelled all together,” Michael Spiegel, ‘23 says.