The aftermath

How 2020 still affects students

Wil Renfrow • Reporter

What was the hardest part of senior year?

“Preparing for college and, like, trying to send in all your applications and getting letters of recommendation, and just deciding what you want to do after high school and basically for the rest of your life.”

- senior Miriam De La Rosa

What’s something for seniors that you wish you would’ve done, but didn’t?

“I wish I did dual credit. It helps in the long run with college and credits and saves you a ton of money and time. And it would’ve been a really good way to knock off some college debt.”

- senior Alex Chinappi

What’s some advice you’d give to next year’s seniors? About grades, experiences, tests, applying for colleges?

“Sign up for every event that Martin throws. You will never get an opportunity to be a part of something like the Fundancers, Powder Puff, Mr. MHS, etc. again.”

-senior Noah Shehane

Since 2020, everyone has experienced large changes in their lives. These changes have been for the better and the worse, but there is more to the story.

“I would say it made me more dependent on learning stuff by myself rather than teachers actually teaching,” junior Cici Wilson-Jennet said.

Quarantine took an effect on all of us, especially when it comes to academics.

“I would be in my bed just not doing anything,” senior Allie Sevy said. “I failed a bunch of classes. I remember one time I did a Zoom call on a boat.”

The disorganization and lack of social interactions had heavy effects on students as well.

“I didn’t have any friends,” sophomore Ryden Van said. “I had just lost a friend group and didn’t talk to anyone other than the teachers in the classroom when we got back.”

While beginning to get insight on the mental effects of quarantine, the grade students were in during the Covid year affects maturity.

“I was very immature coming into my junior year last year, and even coming into my senior year, I don’t feel as mature as I should be,” Sevy said.

Missing these crucial years may have contributed to the major differences we see between the classes currently.

“We’re just at different brain levels,” Van said. “Everybody is just sheltered. We’re just on the internet now.”

However, no matter the difference in grade level or quarantine status, one thing remains the same: everyone struggled with isolation.

“I learned that I have a really bad spending problem,” junior Leonidas Bush said.

Students who learned major facts about themselves throughout the 2020 quarantine also got a chance to get to know themselves as well.

“Being quarantined took a toll on everything,” Sevy said. “I gave into impulsivity, piercings, dying my hair, a bunch of random things I wouldn’t do normally.”

While some students learned about themselves, others suffered loss.

“My stepfather died due to COVID related things and that had a massive effect on my life,” Wilson-Jenett said.

No matter the struggle and hard times of quarantine or family loss, there still can be good moments from all of the hardships.

“I learned to love myself, and that’s really hard to do,” Sevy said.