For the Seniors

By Olivia Kim and Alyka Mendoza For the Seniors

6 | LLA Mirror In the midst of their last year of high school, the seniors of Loma Linda Academy had their time together at school cut short due to the spread of COVID-19. Their last Junior/ Senior Banquet, campout, music performances and tours, sports seasons, vespers, and many other events they had been looking forward to have been canceled. Final memories that the seniors were supposed to make together before they go their separate ways have been lost until school is able to resume again.

High school senior Shailani Skoretz said, “It feels like I’m being robbed of something I’ve waited my whole life for . . . everything I’ve looked forward to isn’t happening anymore.”

Senior Joshua Tongpo said, “Junior/Senior Banquet is the one I’m most sad about, since I loved the passion ‘21 brought to their announcement and was waiting to see more of it.” With all of the recent cancellations of school events, seniors are concerned about the future of the graduation they’ve been working so long for. Senior Karina Lim said, “This makes me worried that our graduation may be canceled, too. In that case, I would not get to see my parents in America because they are planning to [fly from Korea to] watch my graduation.” But despite all of the disappointments that the high school seniors have had to face, many are able to keep a positive mindset and think about how they can help others instead. Skoretz said, “I remind myself that I’m lucky my family is safe and healthy and here with me, I do hobbies I enjoy, I talk to friends through the phone, and pray.” Class 20 photo: Seniors pose in the shape of their year during their senior trip at Havasu. Handshake photo: (Left to right) High school seniors Krystal Checo, Haley Walker, and Janelyn Jabonillo show off their class pride at 2019-2020 SA Handshake.

Lim focuses on how other people in the community are affected by COVID-19, having said, “I just consider this time of self quarantine as a safety not only for myself, but for the elderly, because I could possibly bring the virus to them, which is fatal for them.” Now that students are confined at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, they have plenty of opportunities for personal hobbies and time with their families. Lim said, “I do enjoy actually having time to practice my flute and catching up on my hobbies, like watching Korean dramas. I’m also talking more to my family because now we sit together and talk about little things. It’s kind of nice.” Seniors in school, however, are not the only seniors impacted by all of this. As we’re all aware of, older people are at greater risk for contracting COVID-19 and ending up with worse cases. This group of people includes senior citizens all around the world. Nursing homes, in particular, are greatly affected by the virus. According to the CDC, communal dining is no longer allowed, as well as group activities. No visitation is allowed except for “certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life situations.” This means loved ones will be apart for a while, but some people are undeterred and have found ways to connect.

A senior citizen couple from Vernon, Connecticut made it on the news after the celebration of their 67th anniversary at the Stafford Springs nursing home. As reported by NBC Connecticut, on March 14, Bob brought a sign that read “I’ve loved you 67 years and still do. Happy Anniversary.” He held it up to his wife’s window, and she blew him kisses in response. Their daughter Laura told NBC that this was the first year they’d Officers photo: Senior class officers strike a pose at their last Friendsgiving to celebrate Thanksgiving with their classmates.

spend their anniversary apart and that before all the regulations were put in place, Bob had visited the facility on a daily basis. While there are certainly many seniors in nursing homes, there are also those at home. JT Waller, age 93, when asked how COVID-19 has affected him, said that he feels sorry for others since he’s just sitting at home and is “concerned for all the people that have been affected.” He hopes everyone will be sensible about the situation and heed all the warnings that have been set out. After all, he said, “it’s not a game, but a very serious thing.” The spread of COVID-19 has caused much suffering for our community, especially impacting our high school seniors and senior citizens. But throughout these difficult times, it is more important than ever to create a supportive community and be a source of hope for each other.

Havasu senior photo by Bryan Tapia. Other photos by Olivia Kim.