November 12th - HBRHS Student

 Clinging to hope and looking for the positives

Experiencing a pandemic was certainly not on the agenda for any of us at Hinckley Big-Rock, but life waits for no one, so here we are. Covid-19 continues to sweep through leaving chaos in its wake, but my peers and I have managed to cling to the hope and promise of things getting better in the end. 

Despite the troubles it has caused, there also have been some positives to indirectly come of it. While this ordeal has ruined many activities we used to enjoy, it has also introduced new opportunities to our school we might not have gotten to have otherwise. For example, the creation of our new “FLEX period” has allowed us easier access to teachers, resources, and even just time to relax and hang out with friends. It has become increasingly clear that the pandemic has taken an unfortunate toll on mental health, but the extra time provided for us to enjoy a quick break with friends or seek the support we need seems to be helping us all. It also gives the unique feeling of freedom and individual decision making that high school students often feel is taken from them. This idea might never have come to pass had it not been for the chaos that Covid brought along with it. The changes that had already occurred helped build a highway for us to continue to try for our ever-lasting quest for a fun, engaging, and helpful school environment.

While the whole pandemic has been a terrible, taxing event in our lives, we must strive to keep these positives in mind. Not only did we get fun new initiatives to help us grow, but we also felt the emotional impacts as well. It is often seen in history that humans are united by a common enemy or affliction, and that has certainly been the case for the last few years here at HBR. With all the craziness of the pandemic, the school atmosphere brought us together. After going through such a unique and life-changing event together, this school feels more like a family than ever before. All the teachers are so kind and sincerely care about the students, and it truly feels that the whole school is coexisting, bonded by our shared troubles. While many other school atmospheres place teachers and students as opposing forces, HBR instead makes us feel as though we are working together on the same team. The trust between students and teachers is such a special characteristic of our school that is unmatched by any other. 

The effort and innovation of our staff here has not gone unnoticed by parents or children; they have made a big impact on our learning and our ability to continue our high school careers. They have always been here for the students when we need them. They continue to work towards making this school a better place not only for learning but also for the experiences of the students in general. They try so genuinely and so selflessly that it is amazing to see the fruits of their united efforts to make this chaotic situation into the best that it can be. As they continue to go above and beyond for the sake of all students, let’s just give a big shout out to all who work to help Hinckley Big-Rock be the very best school around.

Della Harrod

HBRHS Class of 2023