In their words: JOSUE LOPEZ PADILLA

Besides the pandemic, the Class of 2021 has also lived through a number of recent historical events the past year, including a presidential election and movements fighting for change. How have all these events shaped you, and what gives you hope for the future? 

“I feel happy because he (Biden) will do things and give more opportunities for everybody. He will give opportunities for work and for people like me. That’s going to be better for everybody.”

Over the past 15 months, students found themselves in uncharted territory and were forced to adjust to a new reality. What do you want people to know about learning in a pandemic — and living in a pandemic as a teenager — after more than a year of COVID-19 impacting education? 

“That’s a hard one … it’s not good, but you have to push through it. And my family, too. My family is going to school online and going to work has been hard because there’s not much work. It’s not good, but you have to push through it.”

How have you changed since the pandemic started and what have you learned and gained over the past several months as you enter the next stage of your life?

“I learned if you want something hard enough, you can have it. You need to work for that. Because not everything is easy.”