In the span of a few short days, it feels as though everything has changed. Spring Hill went from having an extended spring break to not being in a classroom again until the next school year. 

When I first got the news, it was over Snapchat. The group chat that the cast of the upcoming play had formed were discussing the recent announcement of the two week school closure that would have us out until April 6 (two days after our show was to close). Later, someone asked if the show was officially canceled and someone else responded, explaining that Kansas schools would be closed for the rest of the school year.

I was shocked. Just yesterday I had been frustrated that I was out of school until April, and now I would not be able to go back until the following August. There was no question for the cast anymore, the play was canceled. 

But that also meant everything else I had been looking forward to was canceled as well. Theatre banquet, SPUB banquet, my first prom…it was all canceled. Soon after that, students started voicing their concerns. 

“Will there still be graduation?”

“How will we finish school?”

“If we don’t have internet at home, are we totally hosed?”

“I never have to go back to school ever!” exclaimed my five-year-old brother, who did not quite understand what was going on.

But the most common question I heard – “what is going on?”

When all is said and done, I think it is safe to say that no one in the community really knows what is going on. Everyone is officially in uncharted territory here; and many – myself included – find that a scary prospect.

But the thing is, that is okay. It is alright to not really know what the next step is, or what the ‘right thing to do’ may be. Maybe use this time to work on a new hobby, or sharpen an old skill. Rearrange your room, read a new book, take a walk around your neighborhood, talk to your family. We’re all in this together, and we will make it through.