One year ago, I was a freshman worrying about high school. One year later, I’m worrying if I’ll ever get back to school. I wish I could go back in time to when COVID wasn’t a thing but you don’t ever get forward by looking behind. The coronavirus has changed our world in huge ways. It’s affected every single one of us in ways that are impossible to forget.

In a world where a positive test only brings negatives, I’d just like to say that no matter what, we can get through this.

Quiet malls
And empty school halls
No one would have thought COVID would do this all
2020 happened to be the greatest fall

On January first, we all leapt for joy
It’s the beginning of a new year, we cried
We didn’t know coronavirus would make hopes die
As we scramble for a cure to help us revive
It can seem hard to look up high
The clouds seem to block out the sun and the sky
Yet we still found ways to rise

Separated but together, we stand as one
Hoping that soon this virus will be done
This year has not been fun
But the end will soon come

Masks on, we found new ways to breathe
Social distancing rules followed, we found a way to leave
With essential workers, we still achieved
Hope in our hearts, we will always find a way to believe

We didn’t expect this, never
It’s hard not to think this will last forever
Although we’re apart, we need to remember
That we are stronger together

We might not get back to the good old days
But we will always find new ways
That is just the way life is
When all falls down
We still find ways to raise.

I’d like to end off with another shout out to all the essential workers, especially all the teachers. We don’t give them enough credit for having to go back to school without a choice. They are really amazing and doing a great job of keeping us engaged and learning throughout this year. To all essential workers and teachers out there, if you’re reading this, thank you!