by Paige Werden ‘21

From crowded hallways and meeting new people, to taking hard classes and receiving extensive work loads from teachers, adjusting to high school life has been very challenging. Stepping into those Sherwood hallways for the first time, I was completely unaware of what would lie ahead of me. I knew that high school was going to present its challenges, but I had no idea what unbelievable circumstances the world and I would come to face. 

At the time, my freshman and sophomore years of high school seemed to be the hardest two years of my life. I had gone through so many changes with friends, constantly trying to find supportive people to surround myself with. At the same time, my family was impacted greatly by financial struggles. In Sophomore year, I came to terms with my sexuality and started dating my current girlfriend. Along with this, I took my first AP class and had troubles balancing my social life with the new workload. All of these adversities, though seemingly making my life difficult and unstable, could never compare to the struggles experienced in the years following. 

As many agree, the past couple years have been very trying for us all. For the graduating senior Class of 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic cut short junior year and took away many students’ abilities to experience a real senior year. This meant no prom, no Rock n’ Roll Revival, no winter sports, and possibly never seeing our favorite teachers in a school environment again. 

Stuck behind a screen, my anxiety levels increased as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened. I had longed for that perfect depiction of senior year; having the time of my life with those I loved most. I looked forward to being the senior dive captain for the Sherwood dive team, as I had participated in both swim and dive at Sherwood for the last three years. I looked forward to singing a lead in the 50th anniversary of Rock n’ Roll Revival in front of all of my friends and family. And last of all, I looked forward to applying to as many colleges as I could to enhance my chances of getting into a good school. 

Just as I felt like my world was crumbling underneath me, a glimpse of hope shone through. As opportunities arose for me, I was able to get my vaccination and I felt my anxieties assuage. Although Sherwood will not be providing a senior prom this year, my girlfriend and I can experience a modified version with our friends. Possibly the most exciting of all, I am featured in Sherwood Music Department’s virtual Rock n’ Roll Revival 49.5, along with all of my peers I have sang with for the past four years.

Let’s not sugar coat it: 2020 and most of 2021 were grueling and disappointing. However, this does not mean good things did not come from this difficult year. I have learned first hand that life will throw curve balls and bumps along the road ahead. The most important thing we can do is to be grateful for the good things that have come from 2020 and thank the bad things for teaching us valuable lessons about perseverance, patience, and hardships.