It’s hard to believe that I’m graduating eighth grade and that I lived through a pandemic that changed my generation’s lives forever. I spent half of fourth and most of fifth grade attending school on a computer. In fact, I attended my classes in Florida from my grandparents house in Kansas. Teens from other time periods in history couldn't have imagined being sent home to have school on a computer.  People like my parents and grandparents didn’t even have a computer when they were teens. Not only was school on the computer, so were my doctor appointments that used to be in person. The pandemic changed the world and had a big impact on my life. From a positive standpoint, my mom didn’t have to travel for work anymore and all her meetings were on the computer. This made me happy because our family was able to be together. It was also fun living in Pittsburg, Kansas because I got to live in the country and experience the different seasons.  Some of my favorite memories include cookouts around the firepit and going to the pumpkin patch in the corn field and running across large bales of hay. I loved being outside, fishing in the pit, smelling the fresh air, and being cold. On the negative side, I missed my friends and became filled with anxiety and socially withdrawn. After the pandemic, while I was excited to return to my friends, I felt nervous about what they might think about me.  I even dyed my hair blue. If I could go back to my fifth-grade self I would say, “believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to be you.”  Like my grandmother says, “Keep your head up, walk proud and smile. God gave you a wonderful brain and I love when you engage it and try your best. You are a winner!”

• We’re living during a time that is both challenging and filled with opportunities.

• Some of the challenges we’re facing are the impact of social media on our kids, extreme political tensions. Inflation, cybersecurity threats and exponential growth in homelessness and food insecurity.

• From opportunity standpoint technological advancements are resulting in things like new medical treatments, improved efficiencies in the workplace driven by artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and improved ways to explore space.

• The bottom line is that the world is changing rapidly and I’m confident that you and your generation will help make the world a better place for all humans.

What impact did the Covid-19 Pandemic have on society?

• While the pandemic completely disrupted the world socially and economically it created an opportunity to drive broader social discourse about mental health and wellbeing.

• As a result, companies around the globe have increased their mental health and wellness benefits to include things such as fitness, nutrition, weight loss, smoking cessation, sleep, and meditation.

• We’ve also experienced the increasing presence of app-based online mental health services for employees and their dependents.

• Finally, we’re also seeing more employers offer flexible work arrangements across sectors that allow increasing numbers of workers to choose flexible hybrid and remote work options.

How have advancements in technology changed the way you work versus how your parents worked?

• My mother and father both worked at a physical location from 9am – 5pm.  They had a specific number of vacation and sick days, paid a premium for health insurance and all business was conducted in person and via paper.

• When I graduated from college in 1990 my work environment matched that of my parents.

• Around 2010 I began to work remotely on a U.S. based team and spent countless hours flying around the country to give speeches and attend face to face meetings.

• Today, my team is located around the globe and most of our meetings are virtual requiring much less travel.

• Additionally, my schedule is flexible.  Which means I can start working on the phone after dropping you off at school and jump on a zoom meeting after you go to sleep. Also, we have an unlimited number of days off and our health insurance is free.  While our time off is generous the team does not abuse the bene

• The chaos of political divisions and political party infighting at the national level have a direct adverse impact on how society sees the world, causing divisions not previously seen by me in my lifetime.

• It is important to remain optimistic and not let distractions alter your world view.   

• With all that’s happening around the world, we live in the greatest country where anyone can achieve what they set their mind to.

• Social media has truly altered behavior, emotions, mental health, and critical thinking of our children in this generation. Only time will tell if it results in more positive outcomes.

What impact did the Covid – 19 Pandemic have on society?

• The pandemic resulted in global corporations downsizing their real estate footprint to accommodate a hybrid workforce, resulting in the need for these corporations to creatively find ways to sublease or sell excess space.

• Companies have had to redesign their workspaces, creating more amenities, such as free food; and adding alternate workplace options such as quiet spaces and relaxation spaces.

• The pandemic resulted in people realizing they don’t need to travel as much for meetings and conferences when they can attend virtually.

• Following the pandemic, children experienced difficulties reintegrating into school and friendships due to lack of one-on-one educational support and personal social activities.

How have advancements in technology changed the way you work versus how your parents worked?

• Like your mom, my mother and father both worked at a physical location from 9am – 5pm.  They had a specific number of vacation and sick days, paid a premium for health insurance and all business was conducted in person and via paper.

• As a small business owner, I have always maintained my own schedule. However, when I first started my company in 2000, I was still using a fax machine to send some documents and had a landline office phone. Now everything I do is via email and applications, and I no longer have a landline.

• My mom used to print documents for her work and her volunteer services using a mimeograph machine where she had to use a typewriter to type on a stenciled document. She would then have to put ink, the stencil and paper into a machine where she would turn a crank to make prints. Now I type on my computer and print as many copies as I want using my wireless printer.

• My parents could not immediately respond to issues at work when they were out of the office unless they were near a landline telephone. I can respond anytime from around the globe either using my iPhone or my computer.

Reaction - I can’t imagine what it would be like to have people from my government trying to kill me and my pregnant wife for speaking out against them. It must be challenging and worrisome to escape your country and leave your family and friends. I wonder what it felt like when they crossed the border into the U.S. and turned themselves in to the border patrol. While they live in Chicago I’m curious if they are afraid that they will have to return to Venezuela with their baby at some point.

I stop and think about my memories and how they bend.

My mind is filled with good times and bad,

Graduation Night was really rad.

My teachers at AHS are the best,

They help me and put my brain to the test.

I look forward to the summer and taking a break,

You can find me in Kansas fishing on the lake.

Ninth grade is an opportunity to create a new slate,

My brain must remember it’s never too late.

Old friends and new friends I will find my way,

My heart is kind and has something to say.

So, goodbye to eighth grade with my head held high,

I have big dreams to accomplish as I reach for the sky.

The journey through high school and college will be long,

I will find the place where I belong.