As the school year comes to a close and summer approaches, I know many of us are anticipating new beginnings or even a solid break from school, but before that, I would like to reflect on how I and every other student and teacher pulled through a tough year. 

I’m speaking for a lot of students when I say that the motivation was simply not there at times. Whether it be unstable mental health, juggling work and school, losses of loved ones, or feeling a sense of loneliness from disconnected friendships, it was not easy at all for anyone. As a senior, it was definitely not the sort of collapse I would ever expect in my last year of high school. Many times, it felt as though giving up felt like the best option and I let the isolation get the best of me. Feeling disconnected from everything was the worst of it all. As the end of the semester began approaching, it was definitely a wake-up call for me as I realized that this was not permanent and that I had so many more opportunities to look forward to in the future, hoping that mentality sticks with me. 

Secondly, the teachers of El Rancho were very patient throughout the year, which is extremely appreciable, to say the least. Not only did almost every one of them have to put up with talking to black screens every day, but they were also supportive through times of hardships, even while going through their own. 

With many accomplishments throughout the year, along with struggles, it’s important to recognize those who pushed themselves in order to make it through. With the new opportunities shining bright and the burnout from this school year, teachers and students are bound to recover physically and mentally this summer, and we are all ready for that.

After a year’s worth of a rollercoaster of madness and confusion, we successfully adapted ourselves. Despite our disappointment over losing the typical school environment, we adapted: senior events, sports, clubs, and socially distanced and online special occasions.