I remember freshman year vividly. I couldn’t stop thinking about senior year and leaving Wakefield, despite its charming characteristics. I envisioned myself going to my last high school football and basketball games, attending my senior prom, and walking across the stage to thousands clapping. Little did I know that a nation-wide pandemic would occur to cut those plans short.

Don’t get me wrong, I love staring at a screen for 8+ hours a day, but it wasn’t what I had in mind when thinking about my extravagant senior year. 

As surprising as it may seem, living life while being in a pandemic isn’t half bad. Not considering that my senior year, potentially the most important and eventful year of my life, has been thrown out the window. APS is 100% virtual right now, so I get to experience school and routine safely while the nation is undergoing stressful conditions. It’s a unique situation that I will tell future generations. 

The sad case about being a senior and dealing with a world-wide pandemic is that you still have to continue to apply to colleges and plan your future. This daunting process is even scarier as you begin to realize that you will soon turn 18 and are expected to be an adult. The most dreadful part is here, and we are expected to grow while dealing with COVID and maintaining our emotional well-being. 

But alas, this is not a time to complain, because with every travesty comes perks. Our strength is being tested, and we have risen to the challenge. There will be many more basketball and football games to attend, many more dances to come, and hopefully many more healthy years ahead. 

So, I say take advantage of this time to grow and sleep in (if possible). Let’s try to celebrate life while maintaining 6-feet apart.