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How has this influenced your decisions and other students, in particular teens facing graduation, college and jobs prospects?   

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How has this influenced your decisions and other students, in particular teens facing graduation, college and jobs prospects?   

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Now that the state has reopened and we began to resume our lives, what type of things are you looking forward to doing?

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Now that the state has reopened and we began to resume our lives, what type of things are you looking forward to doing?

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This pandemic really did not affect me initially. I generally am an introverted person so I was fine with staying home. Of course, as the weeks turned into months, the pandemic (likely) took a toll on my mental health. I'm generally sadder and more cynical. I also feel less and less sane as the days go by. I may be an introvert but I do miss seeing my friends and family. This pandemic also made me realize how much I hate politicians, since they kept extending and extending the lockdowns. (Vincent K.)

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As a senior, I was really excited to be able to experience the school year among fellow contemporaries and friends of mine. However, this is all gone. I have to get used to Zoom calls, I see them on the street but I cannot hug them. A mask has become a literal wall between us. Despite even being among other people, I feel distant.

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Initially, the pandemic had no effect on me. I enjoyed being home, but then it got bad. During this pandemic, personally I have been negatively affected mentally. I constantly have felt drained and tired, and isolated. The lack of human interaction (besides family) is especially draining and I don't even know who i am anymore because i feel like I'm trapped inside of a box. I also have gotten super addicted to school because what else is there to do? (Lilyani Webley)

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The pandemic caused my self to not be able to exercise, travel and  photography. The reason that the exercise has affected me is because the gym closed and I could not be able to see my friends at the gym. Travel has affect me and my whole family because we usually travel multiple times  a year. The pandemic affected my photography because I couldn’t be able to travel and take photos. (Thammachai Zuercher)

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The pandemic made many new changes on everybody’s lives. For me it kinda felt strange and new when we first started to use masks and had to go into quarantine. However, as we started to get used to it we had many new adventures together with my family. With God’s help we felt more closer to him throughout the pandemic. Even now my family and I all feel closer to him in his love and protection. Praise the Lord Almighty!
—(Jasmin Hernandez)

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originally I was so excited for in-person graduation, even imagined tripping while walking onto the stage LOL, but because of the pandemic those plans were cancelled. Another thing that was affected were college admissions. Because of the pandemic, college acceptance rates somewhat dropped, and many applicants were rejected :( (Lilyani Webley)

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I want to definetley see my best-friend and hug them for the first time in forever since its been (1 year and 2 months since I have seen them;) , I want to go to church and hang with church friends, travel, hang out and enjoy life before college. (Lilyani Webley)

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Throughout the whole pandemic, I've been saying how I just can't wait for it to be over, I can't wait to see my friends, I can't wait for it to be over but now being fully vaccinated I find myself not really wanting to go out and having to force myself. I have really bad social anxiety and never realized how much worse it's gotten until now but i'm really trying to work through it. - Destiny Purnell

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Physical contact with family and friends.
-Sasha Matthews

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As Lilyani has mentioned above, I too was really really excited for in-person graduation. My mom had prepared by Highschool graduation toga years before I entered 12th grade--she had it ready once I graduated from Middle School; she was that prepared. Despite the pandemic, I genuinely prayed that there would be an in-person graduation. Like a miracle, I received a webmail concerning in-person graduations for Connections Academy. I was ecstatic! However, recently, once the ceremony was cancelled and shifted into a Virtual one, I was very disappointed. However, despite my disappointment, my Mom was the one truly heartbroken. (Audrey Chua)

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I hope to get together with friends over the summer because I didn't really get to see people this year and they'll be going away (Milo Moorvitch)

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I hope to get together with friends over the summer because I didn't really get to see people this year and they'll be going away (Milo Moorvitch)

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Once I can, I am gonna ride my bike as far as I possibly can. I will see my friends again, go out to the movie theaters, play games at the arcades, eat out at restaurants, etc. Life is short and this pandemic made it shorter. (Vincent K.)

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The main way the lockdown has affected me is restrictions in the gym. I used to rely on the gym for my physical and mental health. So when the gym was closed down because of covid it made me a lot more lazy and less energetic.

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I was able to do more of the things I enjoy doing, which is good, but also my motivation dropped this year and it's been hard (Milo Moorvitch)

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I was able to do more of the things I enjoy doing, which is good, but also my motivation dropped this year and it's been hard (Milo Moorvitch)

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In the future I am going to be doing computer and dogs. (Thammachai)

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The pandemic really limited what I could do. I no longer had the chance to do what I loved: make movies. The pandemic also made me lose all hope in humanity, almost to the point where I just don't want to associate myself with society. Once the pandemic ends, I will move out and leave society and its problems behind for good. (Vincent K.)

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I'm really looking forward to going out and trying new things! I wanna travel and do stuff I've never done, I'm also really looking forward to going to Disneyland lol! - Destiny Purnell

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At first Graduation felt fun in person for we were all going to meet together. However, as the pandemic hit plans had to change. Now our graduation is virtual. At first it was a bit saddening but, when I thought about doing it virtually, it sound like a virtual adventure. This year, our class and school is doing something new, a Virtual Graduation!
—(Jasmin Hernandez)

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I'm hoping that with the reopening I can return to my previous schedule. A schedule where I can hang out with my friends often and go to the gym.

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I lacked motivation during COVID. My future goal is to read more motivational books and be more active.
-Sasha Matthews

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I miss visiting the lake with my family. With God’s help, I pray that we are able to go to the lake and enjoy it with my family. I also miss traveling and going to visit my family in El Salvador. With the Lords help I pray that my family and I will visit my family in El Salvador Soon.
—(Jasmin Hernandez)

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I miss going to family dinners.
-Sasha Matthews

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Now that things are getting better, I find myself so excited and so much more motivated to start my life! I was never really too excited to go to college or anything like that but now it seems like it can't come fast enough. After being trapped in the house for a year I just can't wait to really get out there! - Destiny Purnell

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Continue This Roller Coaster, Blockbuster Adventure Called "L-I-F-E"

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Continue This Roller Coaster, Blockbuster Adventure Called "L-I-F-E"

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I am truly thankful that our state is beginning to open up again, blooming ever so gently (or slowly) like an imperfect yet beautiful lily bud....Stores are reopening. Restaurants are back in service. And hidden faces are now peeking their weary eyes out from their masks, shielding half their complexion and half their stories from the outside world. ....Thus, I venture forward like a playing piece anticipating its turn. I look forward to attending church again (which for me, at White Memorial Church, is coming true), meeting new friends (hearing their stories), attending college (a step closer to becoming Dr. Audrey Chua), and just journey through "L-I-F-E" with arms open wide, and God's leading, accepting both unexpected miracles and strength-training trials ahead. One day at a time.......(Audrey Chua)