Life is all about milestones. As children, we take our first steps, ride our first bike, and go to our first school dance. Milestones are a big part of growing up, holding so much value to us as they represent our growth and understanding of the world around us. 

Although these milestones are different for each and every person, some of the most highly anticipated moments of our teenage years are being able to go to our senior prom and graduation. Movies and TV shows portray these moments as magical, and as time for students to grow into adults and move on from high school. It’s a coming of age moment for many people, but now, we seniors may not even be able to share these moments at all.

All of us are very aware of this pandemic that is ravaging not only the area around us, but the entire world. Life as we know it is being completely uprooted before our eyes, and to some, it seems silly to be so upset about things such as school dances and graduation. However, for the senior class of 2020, these moments are being taken from us, and we’re allowed to be upset about losing moments that we’ve been waiting our whole lives for.

Compared to the problems facing those who lay down their lives every day to fight against COVID-19 and to those who are battling the virus, our problems seem small, and in the grand scheme of things, they are small. Even if we were to miss our prom and graduation, the sun will keep shining and the world will keep turning. But, that doesn’t mean that we’re not allowed to be upset.

These are the years of our lives that we’ve been waiting for–the years where we find out who we really are, the months where we spend time with our friends before we all disperse for college. This is the time we were all told was going to be the highlight of our adolescence. How is it fair to have that all suddenly ripped away?

Not only are prom and graduation potentially being taken away from the seniors, but also spring sports and events held by other clubs and organizations. There’s also the chance that it could affect the upcoming school year, and for those of us who are planning to go off to college, it will completely throw us for a loop. 

Life as we all know it is being completely upended. Each and every one of us is going to have to deal with the struggles that have come along with this virus, and our lives are going to have to change for an indefinite amount of time. 

But, right now is a time for unification, and although we have to remain physically distant for the time being, social media and other methods of contact can keep us close with family, friends, and those we love. Things are going to have to change in our lives for a while, but there’s no reason that we can’t make the best of it while we wait. We’re allowed to feel upset, we can feel sad and disappointed, but together, we can still achieve. Class of 2020, we are in this together.