Guest Blog by Evan M.

We asked Evan, a senior at Rocky Mountain High School and Project Heart alumnus, to share his tips for hope in an time of uncertainty.

If you would have asked any high school senior what they thought their last quarter of school would be like, the thought of dancing the night away at their last prom would have danced through their eyes. Smiles would have shown across their faces as they imagined their silky gowns and funny looking caps.

With the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus, the thoughts and smiles of finally experiencing those momentous occasions are fading. The extra days off school that would have been typically greeted with cheers and celebration, are now days of solitary and discomfort. This ominous cloud of uncertainty is settling in and starting to stimulate a mindset of hopelessness.

Now more than ever we need to have hope and practice a new mindset.

To my friends, peers and the class of 2020: know that you are not alone in your frustration and sadness. Though the ending of the year is not what we had imagined, it is still ours. We will find a way to walk across the graduation stage to receive our diplomas. We will find a way to enjoy our last moments in the hallways together. There will still come a time where we will gather together and celebrate all that we have accomplished and all that we will accomplish. I urge you now more than ever to reach out to one another, listen to one another, encourage and inspire one another. Replace your fears with action! Go out into your community (virtually to start) and find ways to help the people who are at greater risk. Create blessing boxes, add to little libraries, make scarves for those affected by homelessness or write cards for the senior center. Be the change that we all need!

To my fellow athletes who are missing out on their last chances for that scholarship, the thrill of the sport or the camaraderie of a team: know that you are not alone in your anger. It was never the sport itself that made you an athlete, but rather your mindset, hard work and dedication to your passion. These are traits that you can never lose and you can still spread your love of sport. Even without this season, continue to push and strive for your next game, match or meet because, even more so now, the love for your sport is what sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. I prompt you to use your talents to make people smile and create positive moments in others’ lives; create a YouTube series to teach younger kids the skills you’ve mastered. Now is the time to use your passion to bring people together and encourage them to stay motivated and work hard toward goals.

To our teachers: know that you are not alone in your loneliness. We, your students, miss you greatly. We miss your smile, your kindness and even your homework. Reach out to your students beyond the online schooling emails. Check-in with them, encourage them to check in with you. Continue to develop that relationship not only by listening to your students about their disappointments, but also by allowing them to listen to yours. Now more than ever your words and voices matter to us, so let’s start new conversations.

And lastly, to our parents: know that we, your children, are grateful for you. The emotions that we are exhibiting aren’t meant to be aimed at you. We know that you are taking care of us. You are doing your best to make an unbelievable situation, manageable. Thank you. I encourage you to continue to find ways to make your home a place of laughter and joy.

And most importantly, I ask everyone to spread hope.

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Thank you, Evan, for sharing such a heartfelt message that every one of us needs to hear as we navigate these unprecedented times.

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