Items

• 2020-12-11

  When I Figured Out That Life Might Not Be Normal Soon

  Before COVID I didn't really like my life. That was mostly due to lack of sleep and the fact that I had been spending way too much time analyzing the social hierarchy of my seventh grade class. I felt alone at that point in February. Now I laugh at that feeling, because I didn't know the true meaning of alone. In early February I had started practicing for the track season and I was acing all of my classes. The closure of everything and the cancellation of sports was made worse by the fact that my high jump coach had told me that could potentially jump 5' 5" this year (that easily qualifies you to go to state championships in high school). Right before Kobe Bryant's death I first heard the word coronavirus. I dismissed it knowing that I never knew anything about current events and that it would pass. The week after the basketball legend died in a helicopter crash, I heard that unfamiliar word again. This time I asked what it was, and nobody could tell me much. All I got out of my friends was that it was a flu-like virus that was tearing through China and soon after that, Italy. My first inkling that this virus was going to be a big deal was when my best friend's mom went to 3 different stores to get 20 bottles of hand sanitizer. Of course it was a joke at that point, but after that the 'jokes' came fast and furious. First, panic over a group of students that went on an art history trip to Italy. Next, one of my classmate's parodies to the song "Break My Stride" based on the coronavirus (he sang it during English class and our teacher seem rather unnerved by it). After that, the first documented cases in the US and the beginning of the toilet paper shortages. Then, a joke about the coronavirus solving the problem of overpopulation in Asia. All of this leading up to a phone call in which my family was informed by a doctor that our school would be closed down within the next two weeks.
• 2020-12-10T14:39

  Life in 2020 Before COVID-19

  It was 2020, a new decade, a fresh start. Myself and the rest of Gen-Z all thought, "This is our time". Lots of us posted on social media all excited for new beginnings. Life was perfect. I was a seventh grader who loved to dance, and I went to my studio five times a week after school. Life was routine. I would wake up, and get ready for the day. I would shower, blow dry my hair, do my makeup, and get dressed. I was so worried about what every one thought of me, the same as many thirteen year olds are. I packed my back pack, said goodbye to my dog Rowdy-Girl, got in the car, and tool the five minute drive to a place I never looked forward to going: school. Class began at 8:05, and I made sure I was never late. I opened my locker, which was always organized, got my books, and walked into my first period class. Following my second class, I had a break for 20 minutes. My friends and I went to the cafeteria and got lots of snacks. It was nice to have some time to see friends. 3 more periods, then lunch. Each day was growing moribund and the same. 2 last periods, and we were released and so happy to go home after a long day of learning. Then I would get ready for dance, and have so much fun doing the sport that I love. Sure a few bad things happened in the early months of 2020. There was almost what people were calling "World War 3" due to conflicting views between America and Iran. A famous basketball player named Kobe Bryant. Many called him a legend and saw him as an inspiration. He sadly passed away in a terrible plane crash which involved his daughter and some of her teammates as well. However, the year was still overall alright. I got to perform in my school's dance show, I developed a live for surfing, and I felt like I was on top of the world. However a huge boulder was about to knock me down. Some virus was spreading around China, but none of us thought anything of it.
• 2020-12-10

  The start of the great Covid-19

  In January, one of the best basketball players to ever live died in a helicopter crash. After that, everything went downhill. Covid caused everything to close and we couldn't even hang out with friends because of how bad and fast it went to everywhere. Everything in my area closed up and most businesses went bankrupt and had to close. Now wherever we go we have to wear masks just to protect us from the virus. The cases keep raising and more and more people keep dyeing from it. This is my story
• 
  2020-12-01

  Pandemic to Historians

  The pandemic of 2020 has brought to light the flaws of American history.
• 
  2020-10-12

  A few bad apples

  It seems these days it’s become impossible for people to gather for whatever reason without vandalism and looting following suit. It’s sad to see stories like this because last nights win by the Lakers was such a positive event for the city and now it’s been overshadowed by stories like this. Looting and vandalism aside I wonder how many COVID cases this gathering will cause. It’s hard not to wonder what Kobe would have to say about this.
• 
  2020-10-12

  Finally something to celebrate

  The Los Angeles Lakers had not been to a final in ten years. Our city was full of hope and excitement when this years team was assembled (along with a new head coach). Then 2020 started and our world seemed to fall apart. For the team and our city specifically the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi and all those on that plane, that foggy morning in February was almost too much to bare. The truth is that this year has seen the loss of so many positive people in our society, that partnered with the global pandemic and the terrible leadership in the White House has dubbed this year the unofficial official worse year ever. Of course I think the title is a bit dramatic and things can always be worse but I think we can all agree that this year has been pretty terrible, politically, socially, economically and morally. The lakers won last night, I was watching with my city and for the first time in a long time felt the need to celebrate. It’s the end of the year, and I can’t help but hope that this cause for celebration will be a turning point.
• 
  2020-05-10

  Damage Report

  This meme pretty much describes every morning for the past three months. Every single day the news reports some wild new thing. First Kobe dies in a fiery crash, then a plague shuts the world down, toilet paper shortage throughout America, people loose their jobs, I (a teacher) am sent home until further notice, some cop decides to murder a man in daylight while being filmed, causing mass protests, rioting and looting in my city, I was just notified that the budget cuts for education in California may cost me my job. Oh, and somewhere in there was the announcement that murder hornets were in the states now and some huge asteroid is going to barely miss us. I have started sleeping in as long as I can. Mostly so I don't have to face the next thing coming my way. I was crying to my mom recently and she told me to get it together, "Honey, none of this is about you. You know that right? This is happening to us all." I keep asking myself if this is even real?
• 
  2020-04-22

  Death of a Legend

  "It has been three months since we lost one of the greatest athletes to walk the earth, his name was Kobe Bryant." This article describes the legacy and impact of Kobe Bryant and was written by a senior journalism student following a beat developed and thought about in terms of the "local" in a journalism course at Pratt Institute that was upended by the pandemic.
• 
  2020-05-31

  Missing The Real World

  These past months were mentally and physically draining for me. This pandemic has ruined relationships but also founded new relationships with new people. I miss school, I miss being in class, and I miss seeing my friends. Being at home all day and not being able to see my friend has taken a toll on me and has made me feel so lonely like freshman year when I was new to public school. This pandemic has made me realize that school is awesome. The idea of being able to learn through teacher-student interactions and friends has made me miss school even more. Not only school, but, sports. Being a huge NBA fan, my favorite player will always be Lebron James and hearing the head director of the NBA saying that the season will most likely be postponed has hurt me emotionally because I would love to see Lebron raise that trophy and scream "this is for you kobe." It also sucks knowing one of the best parts in life which is high school, is being postponed due to a virus.
• 
  2020-05-07

  Reflections of a 2020 High School Senior

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