COVID-19 has been a disruptive influence on us all. Some adults have lost jobs, and others have been hailed as heroes. Likewise, some students have been left feeling vulnerable while others have experienced newfound empowerment.

Sasha Karlsson (11), said she has felt  frustration and isolation during the lockdown. 

“[COVID-19] has obviously prevented me from going to public places I would normally go to like school and to see my friends,” Karlsson said. “This has been hard since my friends could help my mental state when I could hang out with them. The virus kind of keeps me in a state of anxiety a lot since I have asthma and [have] been worried about getting it and what would happen to me.”

Kira Anzalone (11) and Jasmine Narakorn (11), also have said their mental states have been negatively hit by this pandemic.

“At first I was very happy to have a little time alone but after it got to over a month I became overcome with sadness,” Anzalone said. “The thing that kept me going was being able to FaceTime and still see people virtually. I think since I have a lot more time to think about things, it puts me in a well of emotions and is not great for me. Daily life is different for me now since I used to almost never be home because I was busy with soccer, clubs, work, and family. Then, very suddenly, all of that was gone.”

“Initially, COVID-19 gave me a needed break from schoolwork,” Narakorn said. “However, as it continued on, I’ve started to become restless at home. I miss my friends. I miss the atmosphere. It’s not the same through text.”

In an effort to see this time on a brighter side, some including Paige Conrad (11), are taking this time to work on themselves.

“COVID-19 [has] allowed me to start new hobbies such as gardening,” Conrad said. “It’s been an eye-opener to appreciate what you have and to be grateful for everything everyone does for you.”

Quarantine has taught Vaughn Addington (11) to have more respect for the things that usually occupy his daily life.

“Staying at home has been nice,” Addington said. “I’ve been able to play more golf and have been able to work more. After spending a month cooped up with my siblings, I’ve realized how important it is to get outside and do stuff. I haven’t obtained any new hobbies but I’ve spent a lot more time on the stuff I like to do already.”

Another student, like Austin Green (11), said transitioning to online schooling hasn’t been too much of an adjustment. 

“Online schooling allows me to get work done quicker and enjoy doing things at home I want to do instead of learning most of the day,” Green said. “I love working on cars, so I’ve been going to my dad’s shop a lot to practice and learn more about cars.”

As family and friends are kept away from each other, Shaun Knapp (11) described what affect this has had on his relationships.
“I still talk to all [of] my friends,” Knapp said. “[COVID-19] has made me realize how much I appreciate them and being able to see them.”