Dear Class of 2020

-Kristen Fernandez

Welcome back to another edition of “Blog Worthy?” First off, I realize that in the world right now there are millions of people suffering through things much worse than my own situation. But my feelings, and the feelings of thousands of other high school seniors, are valid. Please hear me out, and if you still think I’m being selfish and annoying, then feel free to click away. 

We walked out of school on Friday, March 13th. We went to all of our classes like normal. We endured every test, every quiz, every assignment, without a second thought. We said goodbye to all our teachers thinking that we’d see them Monday and wished them all a good weekend. We closed our lockers on notebooks and textbooks that we wouldn’t need for our weekend. We got into our cars when the last bell rang and drove off. We didn’t know that everything we took as being normal and everything we had once taken for granted would be taken away from us. 

Class of 2020, my heart goes out to you. We’re in this together, but we have never been more apart and more alone in our entire lives. I’m so sorry that this is happening to us. I’m sorry we may never see people from our schools again. Whether that be teachers or friends, not being able to say a proper goodbye is something that will leave us empty. I’m sorry that we won’t have a traditional senior year. No senior week. No prom. No rallies. No senior sunset. And unfortunately, no graduation. I’m sorry that we won’t be able to pick out the perfect dress or suit and dance the night away at our last high school dance. I’m sorry that we won’t be able to walk down the aisle in our caps and gowns like we had dreamed. I’m sorry that these last few months have been taken away from us without our consent. 

Class of 2020, there is nothing anyone can say to make this unfortunate tragedy any better. I wish I could say that this will end before it is our time to graduate, but I can’t. What I can do is offer advice. 

Seniors, we have been through it all. We have dealt with everything from our first day of freshman year to now this unexpected mishap. I know that what we’ve lost are things that can’t be replaced, but I advise us to all look at the positive side. It’s easier said than done, trust me, but very much worth it in the end. Remember that you are healthy and I hope that your family is too. Remember that we have the rest of our lives ahead of us. That may be many more years of school at college, getting the job of our dreams, moving away from home, traveling, or whatever else. Yes, the things we missed are memories that we are going to miss making, but please do not let it distract from the memories you are bound to make in the future. 

I can’t say that things are sure to get better in the next few days, weeks, or even months. I can’t tell you to be happy at a time where thousands of us have lost things that were and still are important. All I can say is don’t let these next few months define the rest of your life. I believe in us. 

Class of 2020, I can confidently say that if we can get through these trying times, we can get through anything. 

Thank you for reading this edition of “Blog Worthy?” Feel free to comment your thoughts and advice down below! Be sure to stick around for the next edition which will be posted next Wednesday!

Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash