My name is Amalia Aguilar, I am 17 years old and a junior attending Colorado High School Charter. The pandemic has made me feel lonely yet brave and powerful. Just so many different emotions all at once. Right now, the most important things I miss are being able to know that my family and loved ones are safe and that I don't have to worry or be scared about what happens. I miss all my family coming together as one and getting to see the smiles on their faces without having to worry. I also miss going to school and I never thought I would ever hear those words come out of my mouth, but what I miss about it is seeing my teachers faces and talking to them face to face. As a junior that is graduating early, I am sad that I will not be able to leave the school building for the last time and be able to say goodbye to all my lovely teachers.   

This is a photo of my grandpa's room. To me it represents my emotions on how this virus has made me feel. I chose to take this photo and add the word isolation because not being able to see him or hug him because of it makes me feel angry and sad. I feel isolated from not just my grandpa, but my loved ones and even the whole world and this feeling that I've experienced, as well as others has never once crossed my mind in my life. It's just so unreal to think that we are all living through this together.   

My hope for the future is for everything to go back to normal, but also thinking of others and how their health choices could affect others and I hope that this pandemic brings our community into realization into a better and safer world.