By: Rebecca Shimony
Never in a million years did I think that a virus would be the reason that our school district would close indefinitely. I had always assumed that the only way school would close was for either a break or as a result of a natural disaster. Looking back on my sophomore year, however, there is still more I could have done. I could have become more involved in extracurriculars. I could have tried to branch out and make new friends. I could have done anything I set my mind to. But I put myself on a different path. In an alternate reality, I wonder what I could have done differently over the course of tenth grade. Whatever I could have done, I did not. Surprisingly, I am over-the-moon content with that feeling. I am not phased by COVID-19. If I had done something differently, maybe I would have been. Instead, I am happy and calm. I have people that care about me. I am grateful that I have food on the table and activities to occupy myself with. I am lucky to have as much work as I do, even if I may complain about it. If I had done something differently who is to say that I would be in the position that I am in. Although life is not nearly over for me, I am thankful for everything that has happened to me up until now. Everything, everyone, every person I have ever encountered has led me to become and find me, and that includes my experience with COVID-19. For that, I am eternally grateful.
By: Bella Kolin:
Many people don’t appreciate school and what it offers. There are opportunities like clubs, sports, and more that it brings. Once I found out that we had no school for 2 weeks, I was devastated because I knew that it would be hard to learn from home and not communicate with friends and teachers in person. Now that we have no school for the rest of the school year, seniors won’t have a prom or graduate and our high school year is over to create memories and have fun. It is very important to check in on other people’s health because even though we are connected through technology, it can be very lonely to be spending time away from school, friends, and family. I feel very grateful for the opportunity to learn and even attend school because other people around the world don’t get the same opportunity as me. I am super excited for when it is September and everyone will reunite at school after all of the craziness. Learning from home has been a unique experience because staying in your pajamas with your dog next to your learning history is something I never thought I would be doing. It is very important to remember that everyone is going through this difficult time, so we share the mixed emotions and feelings that are upon us. One lesson that I learned from all of this is to remain positive and never take anything for granted. I never realized how difficult it would be to celebrate Passover virtually and not be able to see my family in person to hug them. Once the quarantine is over, I plan on hugging my friends and grandparents who I had to see on a screen rather than in person.
