On April 8, 2024, Platteview students and staff stepped outside to witness the solar eclipse. 80% of the eclipse was visible from the Springfield, Nebraska region. A handful of students even left school early or took a trip to see the eclipse in full. Since the previous solar eclipse viewable in Nebraska happened seven years ago in 2017, this occurrence will most definitely be memorable for all Trojans.
This year’s eclipse provides a different experience from the 2017 total eclipse. Maddie Romans (10) recalls from her 3rd grade year, “In elementary we all went out with our classes with these glasses we put into paper plates, for more protection, and we watched the eclipse.”
Sena Ozturk (10) commented, “I thought it was really cool and amazing. The eclipse really makes you appreciate how beautiful and interesting the universe is.”
If you missed Monday’s eclipse, don’t fret; another eclipse is on its way. The next solar eclipse will occur on August 23, 2044, totally covering northern states like North Dakota. The following year, on August 12th, a total solar eclipse will envelop lower states including Nebraska once more. In 20 years from now, dozens of Trojan alumni might just turn their gaze to the sky once again to witness another total eclipse, reminding them of their childhood.
