Who would’ve thought, huh?

For three years, we’ve seen three batches of seniors relish in the last semester of their high school career. We’ve seen them wear that carefree look on their faces as they strutted around the school, knowing that their work there was basically done. On May 1st, we looked longingly all the different college shirts they wore to see where each had committed, wanting so badly to be in their position. As June drew closer, we envied them when they skipped class to attend senior-exclusive events: Tailgate, Senior Breakfast, the award ceremony, prom. Their empty seats in class were just a reminder of how much fun they were having when we were stuck learning. On graduation day (I’m in band, so I’ve been to every graduation since freshman year to play), we saw every senior donned in their cap and gown as they proudly walked onstage to receive their diploma. We watched their time in high school ceremoniously come to a close. 

And now for us, after enduring the slow and steady grind of high school, it has all come to… what? Sitting at home, picking through Google Classroom assignments for “distance learning?” Lounging in groutfits while watching an unholy amount of YouTube? Scrolling through social media, looking at memes to wallow in self-pity? Checking the news daily, but giving up because the figures don’t seem to be getting any better? 

This was not the second semester that we asked for. When we got the news on that second Friday in March that we wouldn’t be coming back to school for a prolonged period of time, some of us were celebrating. This was going to be a long-term vacation! Sure, we might have complained for fun about how we disliked school and how we wished we could just stay home all day and do nothing. But scarily enough, that has pretty much become our reality. None of us knew the extent to which this virus would ravage our towns, our cities, our lives. This isn’t vacation, this is lockdown—currently, it is indefinite lockdown, which means minimal social interaction. We thought prom and graduation were regular traditions that every senior had the right to have. Surely we would have them, too. But now they seem almost unreachable, as if we took the thought of these celebrations for granted. We can’t even simply hang out. No amount of Discord, Skype, or Zoom can replace seeing friends as they are without lag time or a virtual background. An online graduation would be a slap in the face. Imagine not being able to properly say goodbye to the place and the people that have grown with you for four years… 

But this is selfish thinking on my part. Many times I forget to be grateful for my living conditions. Things could be much worse. Now more than ever, I think it’s important for me to be an active member of my community, to help those in need, to donate sums of money, and to spread awareness of all the good that is happening in the community. All virtually of course 😀 Tough times create heroes, and I see on Facebook and Instagram the people who are rising up to the challenge and doing all they can to make masks, start fundraising campaigns, and send thank-yous to the first responders. It’s all very inspiring. Even the meme pages and various Instagram trends are a way to lighten the mood. The virus has taught us that although we’re still very much under the whims of nature, having a unified community creates a sense of order and peace. 

While none of us ever thought senior year was going take this turn, one thing is for sure. We’ll be the class that no one will ever forget. There’s not much we can do to make the virus go away except self-quarantine. Although things suck now, it is important to be grateful for what we do have, and hope that things are able to return to normal soon.