Challenges and choices with return

On August 18, we will have made it back in person for school! While we started the long quarantine in early 2020, missing most of the second half and almost all of the last school year to distance learning, we finally get to step onto campus for classes. This year will be like no other year, with almost half the students coming on campus who never got the chance to experience high school classes in person.

I wrote an editorial last year about starting our school year in distance learning for the first time. Now, for many of us, this will be another momentous occasion of starting high school in person. For others, we’re excited to get back to our long-missed memories from before quarantine.

For many, early 2021 passed in a blur, like most of last year. However, with school starting, we can form new memories and try new things. Joining a club, getting involved in a sport, or participating in school events wasn’t possible last year, but doing so this fall is already a step in the right direction. Personally, I recommend considering joining The Armijo Signal. You could write a story that would help another student, or take photos, or even create a regular comic strip.

In the next few days, we will see fellow students in person (although behind a mask for much of the day), sit at an actual desk, and enjoy lunch with friends every day. If you’re worried about school starting, just remember that coming back in person will feel like a new experience for everyone. Ever in doubt? Come back to this site to check out updates and stories written by your peers. Have a safe and fun year and welcome back to the campus! Share a smile and let your friends see it in your eyes.