I’ve always known my final year in high school would be a trying one but I did not expect it to be quite so… trying. I believe- no, I know- many had great expectations for the year 2020, I mean just look at it. It’s the year of great vision, of a new decade, of my classmates and my graduation. Instead, it became the year of great irony, for no one saw this one coming. In the span of three, short months, 2020 took a tumble down the steepest mountain and found itself in a hole we’ll call Corona. I’m not even going to get into it, Yet. Now, let me tell you the tale of how I survived my senior year of high school. 

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At SMSA, every senior is required to complete a Capstone project. Now you may be wondering: What is that? A Capstone project is a way for high school students to not just help out in their communities but to get one foot into the doors of adulthood. That is about the simplest way to describe what a Capstone project is. Many students decide to make their Capstone personal, I did not do such a thing. I struggled, really I did, in the beginning, trying to find something personal, something deep, something real to focus on. It was only a struggle because I was so caught up on the personal aspect. Once I pulled away from that I found what I really wanted to focus on: orphans. I had such plans too. Decided right then and there I would write my research paper on the impact of growing up without parents. I would find some orphanage in CT, visit the children periodically, especially during holidays, get them gifts through fundraisers, and so much more. Alas, my dreams were short lived; there are no orphanages in CT. There are no orphanages in the whole of America (I think). I was devastated. For a bit. Had to get back on my feet quickly and I did. My next direction turned me to homelessness. This one, thankfully, stuck. So, I found a place where I’d be able to serve the homeless and those in need. The breakfasts were conveniently scheduled on Saturdays, so finding time was no issue. My end goal was to eventually host one of those breakfasts myself, paying for all ingredients, getting some classmates in on the action, but more than anything, doing something more. Serving breakfast was easy, not to belittle it, but there needed to be more. I had to make a change not just in my community, but in myself, and my generation. Sadly, the world got in my way.

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That isn’t to say, I didn’t already achieve great things prior to the whole Corona incident. While I may not have learned as much as I wanted to from this experience, I will use what I’ve learned many years into my future. I have learned that my work ethic really, really needs some work. I have nearly done everything last minute and that will not fly in college or in life. I have learned that it is not easy forming connections, especially when you yourself are closed off. People need connections to further themselves in life, but not just for that, for the need of it. People need others to share their achievements and downfalls, people need someone to talk to, to brighten their day even just a little. That is what I came to realize every time I stepped foot into South End Church. 

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I was making a difference just being there myself, but that was not enough. I got two friends into helping serve breakfast at what most would deem an unacceptable time. While the results were smaller than I initially had hoped for, I still made a difference for my generation. Every time I had gone with my classmates, I realized this experience needed to be shared. It may have been hard waking up at an unreasonable hour, but walking in, seeing all the cheerful faces, on both those who are more than willing to help and those who are in need, is contagious. To be there, to serve, felt right.

The only challenge I faced was myself. I believe that is the only challenge in life. You. You are the one that makes decisions difficult. You are the one who puts things off. You are the one who thinks, “There is always tomorrow”. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Take the Corona incident for example. No one saw this one coming. How could they? Would anyone believe that one day, something big will come that will through the whole world for a loop? Maybe, but not like this, and not in this life. And yet, here it is. I had planned to host my breakfast the day after schools were shutting down in Hartford. I don’t blame myself for it being cancelled, like I said before no one saw this coming. I do however blame myself for putting this off so late. I had months to prepare, plan, and execute. So why didn’t I? Because I believed I had tomorrow. I believed I had time. I have learned many things through this project, but the hardest lesson I learned was that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Take advantage of the time you have. That is one lesson I plan on taking to my grave.