Dear COVID 19, 

You have taken a lot from the class of 2020. I wasn’t able to complete my softball senior season, have a senior night, support my friends in their sports, and more. I will never be able to say goodbye to my favorite staff members or coaches. I won’t get to thank all of the teachers or staff that have changed my life in so many ways. I will never walk through the mosh pit during class change or walk to my car in “narnia” after school. The class of 2020 doesn’t get a senior prom, a class day, or even a graduation ceremony. We don’t get to say goodbye to one of the biggest chapters of our lives that everyone assumes will just happen. You have made all of the seniors realize how it feels to have their prime high school time ripped away. I hope that you don’t take anything more than you’ve already taken from people everywhere, and I hope that you go away soon and never come back. No matter what you have done or will do to everyone you have affected, we will bounce back from this.

Sincerely,

Emily Hatcher

Dear Corona, 

This has been a pretty weird last couple of months — or weeks, I don’t know. I have no concept of time right now, and probably never will. 

However, all this talk of time puts everything into perspective. 

Life is delicate. Life is unpredictable. No matter how long it lasts, life will always go by too quickly.

I understand why people are upset and feel like this crisis has taken away memories they were expecting to have: senior prom, senior night for spring athletes, graduation, getting stuck in the 3:45 Narnia traffic jam one last time. 

I am also upset that these things will not happen, but I am also thankful that no one I know is sick. Our senior years, our entire lives as we knew it, were halted for one reason and one reason only. 

To keep us safe. 

The virus does not care what race, gender, religion, political affiliation you are. It does not care if you are rich or poor, athletic or clumsy, or even how popular you were in a high school that’s more populous than the town it is in. It does care if you are dumb. Do not be dumb. You do not want to be on your deathbed, this year, saying “dangit, I shouldn’t have been so dumb.” 

Reagan has dealt with many serious issues before. I think we can handle staying home for a little while.

Stay safe. Stay sane. Don’t be dumb. 

-Cooper Sullivan

Dear COVID-19,

You were unexpected. You disrupted what “normal life” means for all people around the globe. You interrupted gatherings and celebrations that countless people were anticipating and expecting. I am most hurt that you took away what is rumored to be the best three months of my twelve years of education so far. I am angry that I will never experience a typical high school graduation ceremony, my senior prom or even say proper goodbyes to my friends and teachers.

It’s funny how I most miss the things that I previously complained about, yet I know I have grown as an individual because of this experience. Being locked in my house has provided ample free time to spend aimlessly scrolling on my phone until I have a headache, catch up on tv shows and hang with my family. I have also reflected on this past year and have become even more grateful for the wonderful memories from my time on Raiderettes, laughing with my friends between classes and collaborating with others on my assignments. 

With so much chaos and uncertainty around me, one thing has remained true: my perspective and attitude on my situation impact those around me. While I believe we are all allowed to grieve and hurt because of things that have been taken from us, resting in those dark places is not beneficial for anyone. I hate that so many people are experiencing loss and pain during this time, but it is encouraging to know numerous have united behind a common goal of discovering a vaccine or cure for this. We may have a long way to go before the craziness calms down, but I am proud to say: “No Raider Rides Alone.”

Best,

Catherine Wondra

Dear coronavirus, 

Well, to start off, you’re the absolute worst. You ruined so many things for not only myself, but so many others. You ruined a last prom that we get to spend with our friends, loved ones, girlfriends and boyfriends, a last game for so many athletes that have put their heart and soul into their respective sport for the past 4+ years–all to have the biggest season they had looked forward to since they started high school ripped away from them, a last day of school that is always tough enough as it is, saying goodbye to all of your friends and teachers that you have formed such close relationships with along with countless memories, all of this we usually have the chance to prepare for like the graduating classes before us, but all of it coming to an end so abruptly, makes it that much harder to swallow. As much as you have made these past 2 months so incredibly anxiety-ridden and emotional, in some ways this has helped us as people, especially as high schoolers going into our freshmen year of college. It prepares us for the future. It makes us stronger and more resilient. You have made the second half of our senior year brutal and terrifying- but I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As dull and bleak as the world may seem right now, we will get through this. 

Sincerely,

Danny Beal