Page 20
June 10, 2020
Grads Reflect
The Memories We’ve Made
Not leaving the house had me attempting to clean and organize my
space, but I became distracted by the memorabilia I deemed worthy of
keeping. Most of these items are in some way, shape or form, related
to my time at Jefferson. I’ve kept all of my old school IDs, ticket stubs
from games and recitals, and even all of the letters and cards I was giv-
en throughout high school.
The handwritten cards represent a small snapshot of the love I re-
ceived. They’re from friends I’ve had since I was a child, friends I was
lucky enough to make along the way, and from the amazing teachers
who’ve dedicated their time to making sure we as students felt accept-
ed.
The memories we’ve made over the past four years are not a small
feat and should not be celebrated improperly or treated as a terrible
distant memory. Of course, going through high school had tons of road-
blocks and wasn’t a consistent smooth ride, but looking back on that
past shows how you’ve learned from those events and grown to the
person you are now.
--Loan Pham
c ontinued froM P age 17
Focus on Less Fortunate
Despite COVID keeping me inside for the past
couple of months, it has not affected me as much or
as severely as it has others. My dad is still able to
work and my mom received a stimulus check with a
bit extra because she is caring for a dependent. Oth-
ers are not so fortunate.
Focusing just on the problems of renters; some
are able to withhold on rent payments due to the
obvious. However, many landlords are not as caring
and are trying to evict tenants. This puts renters in an
awkward position because even if they go to housing
court and win their case they will still be blacklisted
in finding a living space in the future. Property own-
ers don’t have it too much easier. They have to pay
things like the mortgage, utility bills and property
taxes
COVID has made me grateful for how easy I have
it. Sure like everyone else I’m at least somewhat
inconvenienced. But at least I don’t have to choose
between feeding my family and paying rent.
--Ethan Gillespie
A Year of Growth
More than anything, this year has been a year of
growth. The world may never be the same as it was
before this year; and I feel like that may be for the best.
A clean slate can be good; starting over and look-
ing at our past selves gives us a chance to learn from
any mistakes we might have made, and become better
people.
This strange time has taught us a lot, even with so
many people out of school. Because of the need to
stay apart, we’re realizing just how much we need the
company and support of our friends and family. We’re
Pandemic’s Random Days
Staying busy has been my life. Because working is what
gets you places, working is what will help you get to where
you want to be in life.
For 18 years I have been told that life after high school just
gets more tough, no matter if you go to college or go straight
to work. But now that everyone from all ages is being stopped
from working because of COVID-19, it provides a window
finding out who we need to help the most because
we’re placed in their shoes, and the people in most
need, especially poorer people and people of color, are
being hurt right in front of us.
Examining the truths revealed to us by these
unique and trying times will let us move forward into
a brighter future; we can come out of this smarter,
stronger, and more compassionate for our fellow
man. 2020 has been tough, and it’s certainly not the
way I would’ve chosen to spend my senior year,
but it’s also a huge opportunity for big change and
growth for us all.
--Emery Ashdown
on humanity. Life isn’t about working all the time. It’s not
about how much money there is in someone’s bank account.
It’s not about appearances. Being around loved ones is the
most important thing in life and this pandemic is proof of that.
During these days there is so much room for thinking.
Some days it gets to me and other days it doesn’t. Some days
I think of world issues and others days I think of dumb things
that probably don’t matter.
--Emely Valenzuela
Missing My School Family
Does anyone remember when we couldn’t go a week without a fire
alarm being pulled and how much relief it gave you in the middle of a
test or a rant from an angry teacher. Or walking up to the D-floor after-
wards because you couldn’t snag a ride on the elevator. Or how about
the random dance parties on B-floor, the random group singing in the
hallway, the long talks from Pettiford that you try to escape from but
can’t. Don’t you just miss it?
March 13 was our last day guys. That was it. No more getting stuck
in Mr. Dixon’s office as he asks all these questions that have nothing
to do with what you actually needed from him. Are you sad? I am. I’m
also conflicted cause I’m usually ready to leave Jeff and now I wanna
be in it. I miss the close bonds and relationships I built with people
whom I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye.
I miss my school family. I miss breathing in Jeff’s unique scent. I
miss sitting at my locker or visiting Dalton’s room just because. As
I embark on the next part of my journey, I will take Jeff with me, the
good, bad, the ugly, all of it.
--Jaliyah Jointer
Reflecting on the ‘What If’s’
It isn’t unusual for me to procrastinate. But because of COVID-19,
I’ve realized that in my past I took time for granted. During quarantine,
I’ve looked out my window and thought of so many scenarios. The sun
makes me miss Peninsula Park, ankle deep in the fountain water. Or,
the rain makes me miss board games inside the Middle College office.
I wonder how my days would have been spent if 2020 was like the
years before. If a pandemic wasn’t the reality, what would I’ve been
doing? Skipping class most definitely. I would be in the halls eating
food from Cherry Sprout or harassing Mr.Causey. Ducking and dodg-
ing counselors, because I don’t want to talk about college. I was busy
counting the days until graduation, now I wish I made the days count.
Quarantine has allowed me time to think about the adventures tak-
en and the adventures that have been lost. Though I’ve focused on the
what if’s, I want to move on with the I will’s. I cannot get back the time
COVID-19 has used up, but I can plan for my time in the aftermath. I
will make the most out of another time.
--Jayla Pride
c ontinued on P age 23
Jaylen McDonald
(Left) and Alatini
Mapapalangi
celebrating a
Demo victory.