My 2020 Vision

By LINDSAY LANDSBERG

2020. I hear the term and I immediately cringe. The year brought us the death of a beloved professional athlete, widespread fatalities from the COVID-19 pandemic, the shutdown of schools, the reopening of schools in a hybrid model, and a very memorable election.

A small part of me quietly smiles despite the potency of such a whirlwind year. As the world around us seemingly crumbled, 2020 allowed me to experience immense personal growth. I got to spend quality time with my family and friends and that time was truly precious. I, for one, have been able to find my own silver lining in a year of such destruction.

We began the year with high hopes and resolutions. “This year will be my year,” we all declared as the ball dropped on December 31st. And then, the world turned when a beloved iconic public figure died in a calamitous helicopter crash. The death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna was felt by all. 

March: the word that once again makes me cower. The COVID-19 pandemic was thrust upon us and completely disrupted not only the Jericho ecosystem but the entire world. I can make the assertion that every single human being’s life was in some way, shape, or form affected by this ruinous illness. Schools closed, businesses closed, stores closed, restaurants closed. The toilet paper and cleaning supply aisles were barren. We were all introduced to the world of Zoom video calls as online school began. As cases skyrocketed, uncertainty did as well. However, my family and I were lucky enough to remain safe as COVID-19 ran rampant. I was able to be quarantined with my entire family, which allowed for a lot of new memories to be made with the people I love.

April through June marked an atypical time for fellow high school students. AP tests were online, ACTs and SATs were abruptly canceled, and extracurriculars and sports were put to a halt. COVID-19 deaths were skyrocketing. Life felt like it was at a standstill. The two-week quarantine we thought we had begun in March seemed like it would never end. Life became even stranger as face masks became a new societal norm. Yet, we adapted. School, events, tests, and activities were able to run virtually through digital platforms. I was able to participate in a virtually-run pen-pal program where I was paired with a senior citizen facing isolation and loneliness amidst the pandemic.

And finally, summer came around. July and August allowed for warmer weather, which made the immense weight of the pandemic feel lighter. We all were introduced to the term “socially-distanced.” I spent quality time outdoors with friends I hadn’t seen in months. I came to fully appreciate how important it is to have close bonds with friends.

Then September hit, and all of a sudden juniors like me whose years were halted in March were suddenly seniors preparing to apply to college. Schools started reopening again. Jericho students began using a hybrid model, splitting up the school in half by last name. We heard the word “cohort” for the first time. It seemed as though life was reverting to normal once again. 

I remember October through November as the most historic election of my lifetime. Our country saw voter participation at record-high levels. Another momentous detail concerning this election was the fact that we didn’t have an officially confirmed president-elect until the middle of December. However, as a young woman, the most exciting and historic aspect of this election was inaugurating both the first female and person of color as Vice President. This is especially amazing as it is a catalyst for the wave of a new, more diverse generation of leaders. It shows young women, like myself, and people of color that absolutely anything is possible.

And, once again, December crept up upon us. As the cold weather emerged, so did the rampant nature of the virus. Cases have continued to soar, as has our sense of well-being. 

The pandemic has allowed me to contemplate who I am as a person. I found the time to explore new hobbies such as painting and digital art. And, perhaps, the most climactic and thrilling moment of my life happened in December of 2020, marking the end of the year with happiness and excitement. Getting into my dream college truly was the year’s silver lining that I was so desperately seeking. 

When staring into the terrifying face of COVID-19, instead of falling into the abyss of negativity, I have chosen to maintain a positive outlook in the midst of such darkness, and consider my future to be bright.