This story is told from the perspective of a class of 2020 graduated high school senior who was about to embark on the next steps of her life until the pandemic hit. This is how she views her situation and others’ like hers.

High school graduation is an important milestone that symbolizes you creating your own path in the world as an adult. A lot of students are uncertain with what they want to do with their lives and we are told that that is fine, but this year specifically, the uncertainty in our lives has hugely increased with the impact of COVID-19. Uncertainty for college plans, financial security, but most of all for our futures which is no longer in our hands. The moment of joy and hope that graduation ceremonies represent was snatched away from us. Instead, the feelings of hopelessness, fear, stress, and loss replace them. The emotions and the feelings that any senior experiences at this time is a lot of weight on a 17/18 year old’s shoulders. All of the experiences we have lost as seniors and the experiences we will lose in the future are priceless and irreplaceable. It feels like I have missed out on an important part of my life, an important coming of age moment while simultaneously wanting my loved ones and myself to stay healthy.