Covid-19 has had a lasting imprint on the minds and hearts of the class of 2020. Last month we asked a few students to share their thoughts and feelings about how the crisis has hit home in a way that can be absorbed by their peers. We are publishing two short dialogues written by two seniors at Washington Prep High School who are part of a group of students that have also entered our youth mentorship program. Our high schoolers are learning the art of blogging as well as the ins and outs of social media engagement and online entertainment. Our teens are learning how to tell their stories in a way that captivates an online audience. If you would like to get involved and help train any of our students on a skill that translates within the online or entertainment space please send us an email.
I’m Not As Heartbroken Anymore
Corona Virus. We all know that coping with something like this is far from easy. However, if we stay focused and protect ourselves from this virus; I am certain we will be okay. Trust me.
Hi my name is Michaela Snell. I am a graduating senior at the wonderful “Wash House” also known locally as George Washington Preparatory High School. I would like to share with you about how this virus changed my last year of high school.
Let us go back in time; to a time when we never even knew about the virus. At school everything was wonderful.
As seniors, we were happily budgeting and paying for our end of the year activities, the merchandise and the prom tickets. Typically, every day at lunch, my friends and I would constantly talk about the end of the year. And, of course about what color we were planning on wearing for prom. To say we were overly excited would be an understatement.
The school would have fun events at lunch during which everyone would participate. This school year, we were introduced to a new class called homeroom, which took place every Thursday. In homeroom we would work on our “senior portfolio” and it was basically a file of important papers that we have to accomplish. This ensured that when we graduated we would have the knowledge of what to do and what to expect from life. The senior portfolio would help us start our path to a successful future. In my opinion, I thought it was a good idea to include homeroom. Many students did not know what career they wanted to pursue. Having a homeroom helped us decide what we wanted to do in the future at a time where we would soon be leaving childhood behind forever.
We were having fun and enjoying our last year until the virus quickly came upon us. I vividly remember when we found out about the virus. We were informed by adults and teachers in every class. Many students did not think it was real and did not take it as serious. Over the last couple of days that we attended school this virus would soon be talked about in every single one of my classes. I woke up and realized this was a real thing!
“Students, there will be no class for two weeks.”
Not too long, after this new information was passed around the school district, the school decided that for our safety, we should be sent home. At that time, we were only supposed to leave the school for two weeks and were told we would return. Unfortunately, after those two weeks, our time inside was prolonged until the next month and then it quickly became apparent that our future school semester was uncertain.
At home students were required to do work and send it in via email. Eventually after that, we were assigned computers to attend zoom sessions. Many of us were sad and mad. Students felt hopeless. This pandemic happened right when we were going to our senior year. Everyone worked hard to get to where they were at and to be honest we felt like it had all gone down the drain. During the time at home, we were informed we would not have prom, grad night, or a real life graduation. Everyone was devastated. Many of us spoke up and protested.
If we fast forward to the present, everything has been okay. We are not as affected by it as much now compared to when we first received the news. Everyone has been coping with this quarantine as best as possible.
I usually like to read books from the library. Reading books helps calm my mind. Before we were sent home I checked out three books at the school library to make sure I would be occupied while imprisoned in my house.
Currently we are a few weeks away from graduation. I’m excited, even if it is a virtual graduation. Prom, grad night and other activities stay on my mind. I know that these activities have been taken from us but we have to stay strong and move forward. The whole community has been affected by this virus. This has made us realize that we need each other. We can care for one another and work together through this crisis. I am so grateful for all the people that are going out their way to help the community. I hope they continue to get recognized.
Coping with something like this is far from easy. Today I can say that I am not as heartbroken anymore. Things happen. This is something that I am going to get through.
For Los Angeles senior Michaela Snell, her life abruptly changed as teacher after teacher announced that Covid-19 meant students would not be coming back to school after the upcoming weekend. Students were uncertain, wary and worried most of all about prom and what it meant for senior year. Many students wish they had known that last Friday would indeed be the last time they went to class before heading off into adulthood. Michaela found it harder to meet with college counselors at the local community college she had been admitted to but she also learned how to be resilient and persistent in getting her business in order. For many the reality of adulthood came crashing down quicker and on the heels of world wide pandemic. Michaela is a paid intern with Cachet Digital and is being mentored as well. The mentorship program pulls in teens who are now able to develop real world experience that translates into an employable skillset even while being able to social distance. Hopefully you will keep up and follow along with how her story evolves this year.