With most extracurriculars at a standstill or progressing very slowly, I find myself thinking of the exciting activities and events I was involved in last year and wonder when I will be able to experience them again. As I stare out the window, contemplating where in the world I would be if I had the choice, it gets me thinking: Where would everyone else be right now if they had the option?

Many students recall the excitement that they felt while attending last year’s sporting events. Sophomore Izzy Link thinks back on her experiences and hopes to return to “watching football games with [her] friends” and being able to surround herself with the screaming crowds. She remembers the “excitement” and “rush” that she would get from participating in group activities and cheering on Boulder High teams. While Audrey Kaufman, a senior, would love to cheer on the football team as well, she most fondly remembers concerts that she attended last summer. She dreams of “being in a crowd at a concert, or even Target, without feeling afraid.” 

An anticipated commonality I noticed amongst students is that they yearn to be engulfed in a swarm of people again. Students miss the feeling of action and excitement that comes with being in a group, something that is hard to come by in a time that is limited to isolated activities with the looming fear of a deadly virus. They wish to let loose and regain the freeing feeling of carelessness again—something high school students should have the chance to experience every once in a while. 

On the contrary, other students would prefer to regain the alone time they once had when their parents were able to occupy themselves with their own activities. Luke Kreidl, a senior who wants to be able to study in private, says, “I am never left alone. My parents always check in on me and are always wondering what I am up to.” Just like us, it seems our parents are bored and constantly thinking about what they wish they could be doing. They’d rather not have their only option be checking in on their high-school-aged child. Both parties are not satisfied with how this year has panned out. While you wish to be left alone, I’m sure your parents wish they had something else to occupy their time as well. 

Some students even expressed their desire to leave Boulder all together in order to regain that sense of adventure. Swimming in the ocean, going to New Zealand (an already virus-free paradise) and exploring mountain ranges around the world are the dreams of some Boulder High students. “I would probably go to the French Alps,” said freshman Fin Heidman-Pinkner. “It seems like a large change in lifestyle from what I’m used to right now.” At times, it seems as if we are playing the same day on repeat over and over. I agree with Heidman-Pinkner; a change in scenery and experiences, preferably outside the States, sounds very pleasing right now. 

Whether it’s a trip out of the country, a high school football game or time left alone, I hope that we will all be back in our element before we know it. Until then, all we have left to do is dream of the excitement that is yet to come.