A lot can happen in 365 days, 52 weeks and 8760 hours, and 2020 proved that with COVID-19, TikTok, the election, protests, wildfires, etc. While in some ways 2020 made some feel trapped, for others, such as AP Biology teacher Adam Babich it was an opportunity to change and adapt to new circumstances.

“[2020] inspired me, broke my heart and everything in between,” Babich said. “It has inspired me to find ways to keep delivering instruction to my students. A lot of changes were made – some I’m happy with and others I’m not but I just accepted them for what they were. Overall I think things are going well. It breaks my heart though because I miss y’all. It saddens me because a lot of what school is – the social aspect – just can’t happen this year and it is a shame.” 

For others, such as junior Sam Patterson, it was a chance to go outside her comfort zone and discover herself as well as new people around her. She feels that she proved that even during times of fear and panic, it is still possible to form relationships with those around you.

“I made so many new friends and memories in 2020,” Patterson said. “People walk into your life when you least expect. All of these new moments and people have helped me become much more confident in myself. And so happy knowing there’s always a group of people there to accept you, love you, and have your back. It makes life that much more fun, especially in the wake of COVID it made me realize how temporary life is. That’s why it’s very important to make the most of life here on earth.”

Growth seems to be a common theme for the year 2020 according to junior Paige Stark. She attributes a major part of her development to what she experienced during the year 2020. And has put into perspective some of the highlights from that year, and what they now mean to her now that 2020 is over.

“The highlight for my year was definitely just seeing our sense of normalcy crumble right in front of us,” Stark said. “Seeing everything just spiral downwards was definitely pretty surprising. And I think my defining moment was realizing just how messed up the world can get. But I have hope for 2021, I think everyone does.”

Since the start of quarantine on Feb.3, 2020, according to the Advisory Board, the U.S has officially been in quarantine for over eleven months. There are a countless number of ways a person can spend their time. But for junior Piper Vu, the most important thing on her mind was focusing on moving forward.

“The year 2020 has made me try to focus more on the good than the bad,” Vu said. “It also helped me gain control over my anxiety. Aside from COVID, of course, I have a lot of hope for 2021, already this year has been a lot better for me; I’m hoping with our new president we will be able to get COVID under control. 2020 has definitely been a year to remember. Whether it was good or bad, it happened. What we decide to use with that time spent is our decision. I just hope it gets better.”