Community disruptions = Silver linings

During my junior year in high school, I never imagined that the world would soon be deeply affected by a global pandemic. Prior to COVID-19 it seemed like I was always running to rehearsals, driving to the barn, or studying for a math test. Perhaps the hardest part of COVID-19 for me was the unfinished feeling of my time. I never saw the seniors in the class of 2020 graduate, yet was somehow expected to fill their shoes in a few months. Tanglewood Institute, a vocal summer program I was excited to attend, was quickly canceled. Suddenly, it felt like there was nothing to look forward to. That feeling led me to realize the importance of trying to be more present than I had been during the rush of my student life. In my suddenly slower-paced days, I found joy in seemingly small experiences because I had the time to engage with them more fully. I took the time to learn a new recipe over FaceTime from my cousin in Buenos Aires. I spent extra time grooming my horse. I virtually tutored a local fourth-grader in math, and seeing her look of accomplishment became the highlight of my week. I’ve become less worried about needing to keep busy every moment. While the pace slowed significantly, I learned to engage deeply.