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Over the past year and a half I learned that different isn't always bad. I don't think anyone expected to have their lives turned upside down and learn to do things that they are not used too. School for example, we learned that it is possible to do school online, and for some people it works better. Also, people learned that they have the ability to work from home using zoom instead of going in the office. Over the pandemic we expanded our horizon of how we do things and for certain things, it may work better.
- Kathryn Henson

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One impact from the pandemic that has had a positive impact on my life is becoming closer to my family, especially my sister. Before the pandemic, family was kinda just, "Oh, yeah, we all live in the same house," kinda thing but now we are a lot closer because during the pandemic we learned more about each other's interests. I share a room with my sister and so we have gotten really close as she's shown me more about the kind of person that she is.

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One positive thing that the pandemic has brought me is my chickens. My family had always wanted to get chickens but never got around to buying some. That all changed when we went to the grocery store and they had no eggs for weeks. We decided to get chickens so that we never needed to buy eggs again.
-Jason Rice

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I have grown to like my job more than I ever have before. At first I seemed so distant from my students but by the end I grew closer with them than any other classes before. The struggles of the pandemic and online/hybrid/pandemic learning brought us together.
- Mr. Prinzo

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Before the pandemic, I was set on going into the medical field. Once the pandemic hit and I was stuck at home, I sat down and explored my options and realized I didn't want to go into the medical field anymore. I also learned more about myself in the past year too.
- Amelia Fitzpatrick

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This year I have grown to be okay with change. I used to really hate major change in my schedule or lifestyle, especially if it was a bad change, which covid was. However, I have definitely made the best out of it and I think that it's going to help me a lot moving forward for college and moving out in the next year!
Mira Herman

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The pandemic taught me a lot about who I am and things I want to do moving forward. Additionally applying to college in a pandemic was a weird experience and generally pretty terrible. However if it weren’t for the pandemic there are interests that I never would have considered or pursued. I am now leaving east with a set of skills I never would have if there was no pandemic. - lexie

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More than anything, this year has taught me to take everything that I do with a grain of salt. Never in a million years would I think that I would spend my senior year online, but now that I did, I would never take it for granted. And you'd think, well why? Wouldn't you want a normal senior year? And to that I say no. This year has taught me flexibility, new perspectives, and perseverance. Although it wasn't ideal, I'm sad to see it go.
-Amanda Eadie

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This year I have grown to love being with myself. I have grown a lot as a person from before quarentine, to now. Sometimes being by yourself can be beneficial and although quarentine was hard, I see how much it has changed me.
Nora

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This year has taught me many things, but the biggest thing would have to be to not take things for granted. I learned to live in the moment, and appreciate what's going on in the moment.
Abbi

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I find myself thinking about how this year has done nothing but humble me every step of the way. I waited 4 years to play basketball in front of a crowd... didn't get to do it. I changed my personality and the way I carry myself throughout the quarantine... I got a chance to get an almost full ride to college, and I read the email by myself in the basement with myself to celebrate with. What I found myself understanding is that you NEVER need praise or approval from anybody else, and you should humble yourself and keep getting better. I learned to look to the next thing instead of flaunting something I have accomplished. Because another thing I learned... people are definitely watching, whether you know it or not.
- Jackson Kulp

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Throughout the course of the pandemic, I have learned how to overcome adversity in various classes and also appreciate the relationships I had built with people at school. Learning how to not take things for granted really helped me as a student and friend being able to know how important making sincere connections with people was and still is. The year may not have been ideal, but I have learned how to hold on to the relationships I have built and other memories I have made.
- Alex Watson

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I believe this year taught me and everyone to appreciate the many things we don't realize that's so important. To not have the ability to socialize with one another, the safety of everyone's family, and the importance of the general well being of everyone. The things we value we lost, and we learn be optimistic from this surprise of a world pandemic. I gained respect to all front line workers and even necessary workers such as teachers to have the ability to educate us even through this insane event. Thank you!
-Kimberly Gill

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i have learned to live in the moment and don't  take anything for granted. it definitely gonna help me in the future.
-allison

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This year for me was pretty hectic with a lot going on but the benefits made the whole thing worth it. To start it off I was able to get more sleep with virtual which led to be having a huge growth spurt which is something I have wanted for a long time. I also found a sense of style that I like, and found a way to make money. I even got an idea of what I want to do in the future. So this pandemic had a lot of benefits for sure.

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This year for me was pretty hectic with a lot going on but the benefits made the whole thing worth it. To start it off I was able to get more sleep with virtual which led to be having a huge growth spurt which is something I have wanted for a long time. I also found a sense of style that I like, and found a way to make money. I even got an idea of what I want to do in the future. So this pandemic had a lot of benefits for sure.

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- Rasheed Anthonio

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Being in quarantine for the majority of this school year,  I learned to appreciate the moments you made and the ones that will be made. Through sports, school, or life, I got closer to my friends and made new friends as well. Overall, I enjoyed this past year even though it was far from perfect and made me a better person that will help me in the future.
- Kieran Hefferan

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Despite being in quarantine for a majority of this year, this has suprisingly been my favorite year of high school. I got even closer to some of my friends and made several new friends as well. Overall, I have become a more empathetic and determined individual who is ready to take on college!
- Rohen Arya

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This year might have been one the most strange years I've ever lived through but I can definitely say that I've grown as a person because of it. We have to push through what went wrong so that we can have that progression as a person.

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This year has been filled with both ups and downs; however, it has taught me to look to the brighter side of things and to be more positive. I feel that after this year, I have truly grown to appreciate everything I once took for granted. This year has given me a chance to become a better person and reflect on my life and think about my future.

-Ava Carnevale

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Although this years was chaotic, I've learned to appreciate the moments with my friends. I've became closer with my friends and I've had the most fun this year with them. I've learned to appreciate XC and track because track last year was cancelled and XC and track was almost cancelled multiple times this year. From all the bad that came from the pandemic, a lot of good came from it as well.

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I think I have grown closer with my friends even though we were not allowed to see each other. Reaching out over the phone is more effort so it felt more meaningful in my friendships. <3

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This year has really taught me many things. its taught me to not take anything for granted and to just live in the moment. its also taught me that i don't need to be with my friends all of the time even though its what i want to do. and to just in joy everything that happens in life.

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This year I have learned to slow down a bit and enjoy the little things. When it's hard to see the big picture, sometimes you just have to remember to stop and look at what's going on around you right at the moment. With the future being so uncertain, I learned to prepare for whatever circumstance and live in the present. I used to constantly be focused on the future, but now I can just enjoy going on walk or spending time with people.

~Sonia Piombino

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This year made me appreciate the moments I had in person even more than I ever had. I cherished seeing my friends and just talking in class because it wasn't just a regular occurrence anymore. I learned more about myself with the time in quarantine and I probably would not have experienced this if life never changed.
- Gwen Murphy

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This year I think was important for self-growth and reflection. I feel like I was able to spend time with myself, and also value all opportunities I got. This year also made me more aware of everyone's personal struggles and how you never know what is happening in someone else's life. I think it was a great year for personal growth and was almost needed in a sense.
-Hope Wegerbauer

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Often in life things don't go our way, this year has certainly been a prime example of that.  We can't change the past and the events that have happened, but with hard work, we can take advantage of them and improve ourselves.

-Arek Conners

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This year has not been they way that we want it to but we have to think about it all the positives that came out of it. We were taught how to handle huge challenges and be able to move forward from it.

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This year has made me a stronger person mentally and socially despite all the challenges and emotional struggles this year presented. The most important thing this year has taught me is the lesson of taking things into perspective. I have been fortunate enough through this year to maintain my health and for my family and friends to remain healthy, to have a roof over my head, have a prom, have the ability to go to school, and more. I know that people have dealt with circumstances much worse than I have, so that's what I have been trying to remind myself of.
-Zoe Eusemann

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Though this year separated us a lot, I feel like I got really close to my peers and learned to value the little things that I love about school. I also think I learned a lot about myself through it all, and I think in the end I truly wouldn't change a thing.
-Amanda Gomez

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Don't let anything or anyone hold you back from accomplishing your goals. You can do whatever you put your mind to no matter what tries to get in your way, even if its a global pandemic.

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This year overall has been a struggle. I have seen the importance of teachers and seeing all the work they put in for the online students, because they have never had to do anything like this before. I saw for myself how challenging certain things can be, but there is always someone to help. This year overall taught me how to be a better student, better friend, and better person.

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2020-2021 was a bad year globally, but socially I've been keeping up with friends, and with the internet it's not like I can't stay in touch with everyone else. I'm glad I got to spend the year interacting with people in a different way, it was definitely something new to experience.
-Jack Pekala

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This year has been a year that we didn't want but we needed I feel. In this year I have grown closer to so many people, and made me realize more everyone is going through their own personal issues. From that I have learned to just be a little bit nicer because you don't know people's circumstances.
- Carly Chermak

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This year has taught me the importance of genuine relationships, forgiveness, faith, humility, and moving forward. I think the class of 2021 did a great job reacting to this year. We created new ways to communicate, celebrate, connect, and serve others. We learned to be grateful for our loved ones, our true friends, and our good health. We continue to work hard, to be kind and to laugh often. We control the things we can, and we tell each other “don’t worry about the rest”.
Kayla Wadyko

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This year has taught me that anything can be done under any circumstances. With the correct amount of help and efforts, all can be achieved.
-Yaslin Santiago

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This year has taught me that everything is not always going to be planned out and go a certain way and that I can't stress myself about it. Even though it has been a tough year, I know because I handled this, I can handle anything.

-Grace Niemeyer

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This class has been probably been one of the most fun classes I have taken throughout my high school career. I have always looked forward to taking this class this year because of how fun you made it.

Conor Q.

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This class has been the best class I have ever taken throughout all my four years here at East. Mr. Prinzo, I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for me this year and making my mornings bearable. I am going to miss you so much!!!

-Ava Francomano

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This year showed me to not sweat the little things. Before the pandemic I was not a big fan of change but because of the pandemic I had to learn change is normal.
- Alyssa G

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This year has taught me to push through the hard times and think about the future. It has also made me really close with my family and friends and has definitely gotten me ready for college. 

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This year has taught me to push through the hard times and think about the future. It has also made me really close with my family and friends and has definitely gotten me ready for college. 

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-Reilly R

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This year has showed me that sometimes breaks our necessary and although this one came unexpected, I think it helped me grow as a person and I got to spend more time with family

Cecilia

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This year I have learned to go with the flow. Out of everything that has happened and will happen I have been told countless times everything happens for a reason. Any prinzo class has always been fun to me! Thank you for everything !!!

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I think this year has helped me grow a lot as person and I think I have a more positive mindset.

Marie

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Even though this year was tough a lot of good came out of it. I became really close with my friends, my confidence has increased a lot, I got a gym membership and Im getting in really good shape, and I am very happy about my life.

-Jacob DeRosa

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I think the pandemic made me extremely adaptable as a person and able to make difficult adjustments. I remember at the beginning of the pandemic I asked my mom if it was safe to roll down my window when driving because I didn't want to get corona. With the help of this class and the pandemic, I am more aware and knowledgeable of vaccinations, viruses, and have grown a lot in ways I wouldn't have without the pandemic.
- Jaiden D

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This year has given me the chance to become closer with my family. Although the year was tough, the quality time spent with them is definitely a positive in a year full of negatives.

Ryan D

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I surprisingly have enjoyed this year more than I thought I would. I enjoyed having the block period because although we had 3 hour class periods, they were never awful to sit through and I feel like I got to get closer with my teachers and we get dismissed at 1:45 now. -Kylie Harper

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Going through such an abnormal time period really took us away from the comfort and mundaneness of normal life. I've realized how discomfort and pain, though uninvited, brings certain gifts and treasures. For one, I have become more conscious and grateful for my blessings, and I have realized how important it is for us to make good use of our time. How we have all come together, connected, and strengthened ourselves through each other is something extremely special. I have grown a lot, connected with my family and friends, and have learned a lot about myself. This year has been full of knowledge and this class has been one of the stars of my school year
- Faraz B

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My favorite part about this year was getting to go on the walks with Prinzo during our breaks.

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My favorite part about this year was getting to go on the walks with Prinzo during our breaks.

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-Amanda Ardinger

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This past year has definitely showed me that being flexible as a student as well as a person is really beneficial for growth. Being prepared for tests or work to be online when it is typically in person is a difficult adjustment, but being ready for things like that can prepare you well for life after high school.
- Bridget McCormick

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Having a limited amount of classes a day helped me focus and connect more with teachers and students. It was easier to concentrate when I only had four things to focus on.

- Imani Oliveras

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This year reminded me that it's the people who make the place and what matters is who you surround yourself with.

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I have definitely enjoyed becoming closer friends with my friends and developing new friendships with others. I am so happy that we were able to have a semi normal second half to our senior year. I am glad to all of the teachers that I have had this year that have made the pandemic tolerable.
-Matthew Giunta