On Sept. 8, Queen Elizabeth II passed away at Balmoral, her castle in Scotland. At the age of 96, she was Britain’s longest-serving monarch, reigning for 70 years.

Daughter of King George VI, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor took the throne at age 25. Throughout her monarchy, Queen Elizabeth oversaw vast cultural and political transformations; experiencing the end of the British empire’s deferential age, the advent of globalization, and the introduction of groundbreaking technology. Over these many decades, she and her family encountered unprecedented levels of public exposure and, at times, a fractious relationship with the media. Yet, despite such vulnerability, she worked tirelessly to keep the crown relevant in a changing world.

Her death will be a cultural reset not only for those in Britain, but across the globe. For members of the Silent Generation forward, Queen Elizabeth has held the throne, and furthermore, a place in our hearts. Although the people of the United States may not have been under her rule, we have watched countless events of her and the royal family in awe. Maybe it is simply the idea of wearing a crown or a fancy dress that draws so many people in, or maybe it is something deeper; something rooted in the politics and history of the British government.

On a smaller-scale, the Central Hardin community has had a rather significant reaction to her passing both in person and online. The news spread like wildfire across classrooms, and within a mere 24 hours, hashtags and content revolving around the Queen are now trending; inspiring those of all ages to share their thoughts.

“I jumped out of my seat, yelled, ‘Ding-dong! The wicked witch is dead!” senior Timothy Woods remembers. “It was so loud that the teacher, Mr. Thompson, from the other room, walked in because he thought a fight was going on.”

“I honestly don’t know [how I feel],” freshman Mason Durham recounts. “It was kind of out of the blue, I would say.”

For most high school students, Queen Elizabeth is perceived as a comedic figure, rather than a timeless monarch. You have to admit, an elderly woman in bright, monochromatic outfits who drank tea and owned over 30 corgis is rather humorous. However, for those individuals who had an interest in the British monarchy and Elizabeth’s rule, her passing may be viewed through a more serious lens.

“I did not have a particularly strong response. We don’t have a monarchy here in the United States,” science teacher Jared Eaton explained, “but I also recognize that her longevity and impact had a great deal of impact itself on other people. So I try to be empathetic to those who are mourning, while I myself wasn’t mourning particularly strongly.”

As an American high school in the 21st century, Queen Elizabeth the II’s death did not seem to affect students and staff on much of an emotional level. That being said, it did cause quite the uproar, both online and in-person. Those of all generations were shocked and taken aback by the fact that such a memorable monarch was not in fact immortal; as funny as that may sound. Her eldest son, Prince Charles will now step onto the throne for the remainder of his life and will face the challenges of continuing the royal responsibilities his mother fulfilled. The Queen’s time and life may have ended, but the vast memories, media, and legacy she left behind will live on forever.