Anonymous, 22 – Bridgeport, CT

The most challenging idea for me is having to accept that after four years of college I will not have a graduation ceremony. According to the National Foster Youth Institute “less than 3% of foster kids will graduate from a four-year college.” Having been a foster kid myself being able to beat that statistic has been my drive for graduating college. While knowing that I was able to beat that statistic, having a graduation in my mind solidifies the idea that “wow I really was able to accomplish that.”

While recognizing that this is a worldwide issue, it still hurts me immensely. I simply cannot fathom the thought of all the graduating students not being able to receive a proper graduation. I know that it may seem to be something so minor, but for people like me where the odds were against us, graduating is a privilege in itself. In regards to my school, they have allowed us to join other graduating classes, but I really cannot imagine the schools who have altogether dismissed graduation, for those who would have been graduating this 2020 school year. 

I can go on listing the things that COVID-19 has taken from me, but I want to end on a positive note. Even though I lost people due to COVID-19, I am blessed to say that COVID-19 has allowed me to become closer to my family. It isn’t until you lose something that you are really able to step back and appreciate it for its entirety. As for my graduation it wasn’t until I lost it that I realized how much I looked forward to it. I realize we all lost things against this virus. I hope we can all reflect and look at the positives and appreciate the things we still possess. I have learned life is too short, and that lingering on losses is no benefit to my mental health. I am grateful that I am able to express myself and move forward. I hope that this essay is a sign to let whatever was taken from you, go. Wishing health to all!

(Also Pamela George is how I was able to learn about this wonderful opportunity.)

Anonymous, 22 – Bridgeport, CT

The most challenging idea for me is having to accept that after four years of college I will not have a graduation ceremony. According to the National Foster Youth Institute “less than 3% of foster kids will graduate from a four-year college.” Having been a foster kid myself being able to beat that statistic has been my drive for graduating college. While knowing that I was able to beat that statistic, having a graduation in my mind solidifies the idea that “wow I really was able to accomplish that.”

While recognizing that this is a worldwide issue, it still hurts me immensely. I simply cannot fathom the thought of all the graduating students not being able to receive a proper graduation. I know that it may seem to be something so minor, but for people like me where the odds were against us, graduating is a privilege in itself. In regards to my school, they have allowed us to join other graduating classes, but I really cannot imagine the schools who have altogether dismissed graduation, for those who would have been graduating this 2020 school year. 

I can go on listing the things that COVID-19 has taken from me, but I want to end on a positive note. Even though I lost people due to COVID-19, I am blessed to say that COVID-19 has allowed me to become closer to my family. It isn’t until you lose something that you are really able to step back and appreciate it for its entirety. As for my graduation it wasn’t until I lost it that I realized how much I looked forward to it. I realize we all lost things against this virus. I hope we can all reflect and look at the positives and appreciate the things we still possess. I have learned life is too short, and that lingering on losses is no benefit to my mental health. I am grateful that I am able to express myself and move forward. I hope that this essay is a sign to let whatever was taken from you, go. Wishing health to all! 

(Also Pamela George is how I was able to learn about this wonderful opportunity.)