I thought it would be interesting (and perhaps of some historical value) to ask our junior high youth group to document what their lives look and feel like during these unprecedented times. What is it like to be a teenager during a global pandemic? 

I asked the youth group to make a “Viewpoint Board” (kind of like a ”Vision Board”, which if you’re unfamiliar with the term, is: a collage of images and words representing a person's wishes or goals, intended to serve as inspiration or motivation).

The dictionary defines Viewpoint as: a position of observation; an attitude of mind, or the circumstances of an individual that conduce to such an attitude. Exactly what I was after, so a ”Viewpoint Board” is what I called it, and hoped it could reveal a look into what their individual vantage points have been like. 

To serve as an example, I made a Viewpoint Board of my own.  (A truly fun, interesting exercise actually! I would encourage you all to do it!)

Over the Summer, the Viewpoint Board project evolved a bit, and I had the privilege of "interviewing" four of our youth group members (individually, via Zoom).  It was a really special experience for me to hear their candid thoughts, unique perspectives, and honest answers to my questions. I’m so happy that they have agreed to let me share their stories here with you.

Our conversations were loosely based around these five questions:

1. Quarantine life: what has been the best part, and what has been the worst?

2. What do you miss most about pre-COVID life? 

3. What fills your days? Have you learned any new skills or taken up any new hobbies? 

4. What are your hopes for the future? 

5. If you were quoted in a history book, telling the next generation about what the 2020 pandemic was like, what would you say?

Vivi Cole will be entering 8th grade this coming school year.  She is a talented, passionate dancer, and prior to quarantine - she spent a LOT of her time practicing with her dance group; excitedly preparing for the upcoming dance competitions. Quarantine brought all of that to an abrupt, disappointing halt. The practices and competitions were all canceled....which tops Vivi's "worst things about the quarantine" list.  She also really disliked the feeling of isolation; not seeing her friends, missing an overnight school field trip...all of the school and extracurricular activities that she was involved with, just erased from the calendar.

Vivi did find some good parts though, too. Her face lit up with a big smile when she described the "best part of quarantine": all the time she was able to spend with her family. She enjoyed all of her siblings being home, and also both of her parents working from home was really comforting and special to Vivi.  In her free time, Vivi has been reading, participating in zoom dance classes, and doing some new art activities, like tie-dying. Her very favorite quarantine memory was going to see the beautiful California Poppies in full bloom. 

In a history book about quarantine 2020, Vivi would say:

"It’s been different for everyone. For adults, it seems like it has been easier; even though they are inexperienced in a pandemic, they know how to keep kids safe. For kids though, it’s more complicated….not being able to go anywhere, having to wear masks, the zoom school…. it's been difficult."

Sofia Tanner will be going into the 7th grade. She put together an amazing ”Viewpoint Board” – showcasing all of the things in her life that she loves the most: swimming, surfing, running, skiing, biking, hiking, writing, and pets - especially her two chocolate labs, Lucy and Buckeye, and cat, Holly Molly. When Sofia grows up, she wants to be a veterinarian. 

I love Sofia’s Viewpoint Board because it serves as a wonderfully optimistic reminder that despite these rough times, if you look for it, you can see the love, joy and beauty that God has provided us. 

During quarantine, Sofia has really missed her swim practices and traveling the most. She is not a fan of online school, and she also really misses the days when you didn’t have to wear a face mask. On a positive note, Sofia has enjoyed spending so much time with her family and pets, and has been enjoying painting, drawing and reading. 

Sofia hopes to be back at school with her friends sooner than later, and in a history book, Sofia would say this about quarantine 2020: "It gets easier."

Michael Marquis was in a unique, unfortunate position during quarantine: he graduated from 8th grade at his junior high school (ending his jr. high experience unceremoniously online), and is now entering a brand new school for 9th grade (also commencing online).  He is disappointed and understandably a bit nervous about not getting the chance to meet any of his new teachers, or being able to get to know the lay of the (high school) land.

Michael shared the same sentiments about the online school experience as each of the others that I interviewed: it's HARD. It is tiring. It is extremely hard to focus. (Let's all say a prayer for the students, teachers, faculty, and parents that this new round of online learning is a lot more smooth, engaging, and joyful for everyone.) 

Until online school does begin though, Michael continues to enjoy all the free time that quarantine has allowed. He has been spending his time watching movies, reading, and staying up late!

Michael is a very passionate, well-educated environmentalist, and his answer to my question about the “best part about quarantine” definitely proves this fact. Michael says: the silver lining of the pandemic has been that carbon emissions have gone drastically down due to drops in traffic, power usage and industrial production.  

Michael’s hope for the future is: “that his peers and future generations will learn more about the planet, and what can be done differently to protect it and not make the same mistakes again.” 

I for one think that Michael will definitely have a great hand in making that happen. 

Holden Withers will be entering 7th grade this Fall. He has not enjoyed quarantine. He has found it to be really boring, and he extremely misses spending time with his friends. He has however enjoyed all of the quality time that he’s been able to spend with his family and two dogs. His favorite part of quarantine: sleeping in everyday. 

Holden had already made a “Viewpoint Board” – a whole book actually! Assigned by his 6th grade History teacher during the first few months of quarantine, this awesome notebook is a compilation of photos and journal entries that detail the days and months of quarantine 2020 through Holden's eyes. It is an historical keepsake for sure!

Our “Viewpoint Board” project was such an interesting experience for both the kids and myself! Pausing to take time and think about what your life looks like right now might surprise you! I hope you enjoyed this little look into our project and the Youth Group, and that you might consider making your own viewpoint board! Who knows what you might come up with…

Kat