By Emely Abreu '21
Everyone has experienced their fair share of struggle, heartache, and pain the past two years. With increasingly high rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout, students have especially suffered a lot. The first few months of quarantine were rough for many, as we all had to shift our lives and learning styles due to the stay-at-home orders. Those hardships continued as the pandemic worsened and ravaged through more communities. As the next school year rolled around, the future looked brighter as more and more schools took on a version of the hybrid method, some days in person and some days at home. For many, this was a saving grace as it gave students and teachers some type of normalcy again.
Despite the challenges―learning to do everything at home under such short notice, changing learning styles and habits, a highly increased screen time, mental health battles, the fear of you and/or a loved one getting sick―we all adapted to the changes, and were able to have yet another successful school year. The Notre Dame Class of 2021 is especially triumphant as one hundred percent of us will be attending wonderful colleges/universities. The Class of 2021 suffered through so many losses and heartbreaks, yet we championed on and became one of Notre Dame’s most successful classes.
Personally speaking, this year was so difficult because I felt very alone during the college process and had to do applications on my own, while still having to balance schoolwork and extracurriculars. At times it felt like I could never get away from the screen, and the only time I was not staring at my computer or phone was when I was running or sleeping. And I know so many students share these feelings, and have a lot of trauma to unpack as a result of the pandemic. But I am so proud of the senior class, and every other class. I know each and every one of you fought so many silent battles, but still put on a smile and did the best you could. You are all so special and so gifted because of everything you endured and accomplished, and no one can take that away from you. So much was taken away from you, but you still found the good in every situation and made the best of it.
You are all stars and I know we will all accomplish so much, especially the fellow seniors as they go off to college. To the underclasses, keep going and enjoy every part of high school. If an opportunity presents itself, take it as you will learn something from it. Never stop creating memories, taking pictures, and talking to each other as you can all learn from each other and grow from each other. You are stronger together, and the class of 2021 is living proof of it. It will be bittersweet to graduate from Notre Dame, but I will take all the lessons I have learned with me to college, and will never forget the individuals I met. Forevermore, Notre Dame Chez nous.
Editor: Cecilia Fiorindo
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