Class of 2020 on Instagram: @SussexHamiltonSeniors
Design by Peyton Boelk.
The class of 2020 has faced many disappointments with the isolation of the pandemic— losing that closure of hanging out with high school friends, saying goodbye to teachers in person, the cancelation of Senior Ball, and the lack of spring sports to name a few. There is little students can do to reconcile these disappointments, but one senior, Peyton Boelk, has certainly done her best to help with one thing seniors would have missed: having their post-graduation plans displayed on the wall opposite to the IMC.
Boelk created the Instagram account @sussexhamiltonseniors to post each senior’s plans for the upcoming years. In order to get a post, all you have to do is
a) be a senior at Sussex Hamilton High School and
b) direct message the account your name, intentions (university and major/military/work/etc.), and senior photo.
“I got the idea for the account from talking with my friends one day,” said Boelk in an interview. “We reminisced about past senior classes always having their banners in the hallway of what their post-graduation plans were. It occurred to us that we weren’t going to have a similar experience. Hence, the Instagram account was born!” Boelk uses the graphic design program, Canva, to create a clean look for each Instagram post.
According to Boelk, the account has received positive feedback and even inspired seniors from other schools to create similar accounts. “It is fun to see the posts across all platforms of social media,” said Boelk. “Proud parents reposting on Facebook, seniors reposting their photos on their Instagram stories, etc.”
@sussexhamiltonseniors isn't the only account Boelk has created with success. Boelk is also the owner of an Instagram based small business, Peyton’s Closet or @p8ns.closet. “I started Peyton’s Closet my junior year since I had a bunch of clothes I didn’t want anymore. But I thought it would be an innovative idea to resell them locally at reasonable prices to save for college,” explains Boelk. Most of the clothes come from her own closet, but others have been thrifted or sold with consignment. Boelk said, “I love seeing others get excited for the clothes, but I love how environmentally friendly re-selling is!” Boelk has also begun to create and sell stickers individually and with other purchases.
In regards to the pandemic, Boelk noted, “It’s almost as if the entire situation is a domino effect, trickling down on all aspects of your life...It is difficult trying to differentiate one day from the next.” She has been trying to look at the situation with some level of readiness, saying, “I try to live my life day by day and find positive things in each of them.” Some advice Boelk gives out is to “Try to look for the “little things” each day! Don’t let your emotions consume you, you’re still the amazing person you were before quarantine!”
At the end of the interview, Boelk only had one more thing to say: “I’m sending love to all of my fellow seniors! We can’t change the cards we’ve been dealt but we can make the most of it! Good luck with all of your future endeavors!”
After graduation, Boelk will be attending Marquette University, majoring in marketing and minoring in graphic design.
