Text
Changes Experienced Through
COVID 19
Ariana Monarca
Overview
The following photographs and topics displayed in this visual essay represent the crazy year that I’ve had. Due
to Covid, I’d say a lot of things changed in my life. Some things for the better and others not so much. My senior
year of Highschool didn’t turn out quite how I expected it be to. I missed out on my last track season with my
teammates as well as typically senior activities and trips. I both gained and lost friendships in a span of a few
months. I started a new chapter at Springfield college too. Even now, I’m still currently adapting to new changes.
Covid is still having an impact on my life, even months later, however I can’t change that. Filled with ups and
downs, it all feels like a roller coaster.. Sometimes it’s a lot to handle and process the changes that COVID has
thrown in my direction.
Last Months of Highschool
My senior year of high school was different than expected. All
my senior trips and prom nights that I was looking forward to
since freshman year were canceled. Due to the fact that it was
just too unsafe to carry through with these activities, my senior
year felt like it went straight out the door. This photo was taken
with my group of senior friends back in October. Little did we
know that the end of our senior year would become so
unpredictable in the months to follow. I never knew that
officially my last day stepping foot into my high school would
have been in March. Unknowing that it would be my last day, I
never got to say a proper goodbye to my friends.
Athletics on Pause
Last time I was able to compete was my indoor track season that
ended in February. We unfortunately got put on pause and weren’t
able to have one last outdoor track season. In this photo, I was with
my 4x800 relay team after breaking our school record for the first
time. For our outdoor track season, we had a goal to advance our
4x800 team to state opens but never had the opportunity to give it a
shot. Even coming to college, competition season was canceled. We
still train but I haven’t been able to compete representing Springfield
yet.
Friendships
COVID also had a big impact on the relationships I formed
with those closest to me. Before quarantine, I was pretty
content with the people in my life. I had a group of friends that
I talked to all the time at school. After stepping foot out of
school in March, those friendships started drifting apart. I lost
friendships with people I thought would be in my life always
and it was difficult to handle. In the process of losing
friendships, I’ve also strengthened other friendships. My bond
with them has grown. We all continue to keep in touch even
though we're following our separate paths in college.
Family Time
The one positive about COVID is that I got to spend more time with
my family. I’ve been able to stay home and enjoy family dinners
together, have bonfires, and watch movies more often. The situation
sucks but at least my family is helping me through it all. In this photo
taken in August, I went kayaking with my dad, aunt, and cousins. My
family tried to get out of the house a bit and do more fun outdoor
activities. We wanted to take our minds off COVID and get that
quality time together before I left for college.
A Fresh Start at Springfield College
Coming to Springfield college, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was all so nerve wracking yet exciting since it was my first
time really getting away from home in months. It was finally
a time for me to have my own independence. I knew changes
were made to adapt to the COVID 19 guidelines. Wearing
masks at all times and remaining six feet apart was
something no one was used to doing. Online classes can get
pretty hectic too. I’m not used to learning in an online format
but I keep improving my skills on navigating the system
daily.
COVID 19
Ariana Monarca
Overview
The following photographs and topics displayed in this visual essay represent the crazy year that I’ve had. Due
to Covid, I’d say a lot of things changed in my life. Some things for the better and others not so much. My senior
year of Highschool didn’t turn out quite how I expected it be to. I missed out on my last track season with my
teammates as well as typically senior activities and trips. I both gained and lost friendships in a span of a few
months. I started a new chapter at Springfield college too. Even now, I’m still currently adapting to new changes.
Covid is still having an impact on my life, even months later, however I can’t change that. Filled with ups and
downs, it all feels like a roller coaster.. Sometimes it’s a lot to handle and process the changes that COVID has
thrown in my direction.
Last Months of Highschool
My senior year of high school was different than expected. All
my senior trips and prom nights that I was looking forward to
since freshman year were canceled. Due to the fact that it was
just too unsafe to carry through with these activities, my senior
year felt like it went straight out the door. This photo was taken
with my group of senior friends back in October. Little did we
know that the end of our senior year would become so
unpredictable in the months to follow. I never knew that
officially my last day stepping foot into my high school would
have been in March. Unknowing that it would be my last day, I
never got to say a proper goodbye to my friends.
Athletics on Pause
Last time I was able to compete was my indoor track season that
ended in February. We unfortunately got put on pause and weren’t
able to have one last outdoor track season. In this photo, I was with
my 4x800 relay team after breaking our school record for the first
time. For our outdoor track season, we had a goal to advance our
4x800 team to state opens but never had the opportunity to give it a
shot. Even coming to college, competition season was canceled. We
still train but I haven’t been able to compete representing Springfield
yet.
Friendships
COVID also had a big impact on the relationships I formed
with those closest to me. Before quarantine, I was pretty
content with the people in my life. I had a group of friends that
I talked to all the time at school. After stepping foot out of
school in March, those friendships started drifting apart. I lost
friendships with people I thought would be in my life always
and it was difficult to handle. In the process of losing
friendships, I’ve also strengthened other friendships. My bond
with them has grown. We all continue to keep in touch even
though we're following our separate paths in college.
Family Time
The one positive about COVID is that I got to spend more time with
my family. I’ve been able to stay home and enjoy family dinners
together, have bonfires, and watch movies more often. The situation
sucks but at least my family is helping me through it all. In this photo
taken in August, I went kayaking with my dad, aunt, and cousins. My
family tried to get out of the house a bit and do more fun outdoor
activities. We wanted to take our minds off COVID and get that
quality time together before I left for college.
A Fresh Start at Springfield College
Coming to Springfield college, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was all so nerve wracking yet exciting since it was my first
time really getting away from home in months. It was finally
a time for me to have my own independence. I knew changes
were made to adapt to the COVID 19 guidelines. Wearing
masks at all times and remaining six feet apart was
something no one was used to doing. Online classes can get
pretty hectic too. I’m not used to learning in an online format
but I keep improving my skills on navigating the system
daily.