”1…2…3…Happy New Year!” Now hang up your masks and throw a party with all your friends. Hug everybody and give high-fives. Or go to school and walk any direction you want. That would be the life. 

2020 was quickly deemed the worst year ever by many students at Powell High School. After what seemed like a short break in December, the second semester started on Jan.6. 

Even though it’s a new year, nothing has changed, and the same Covid rules are still in effect.

There was hope that when the New Year started that things would change and actually return to “normal.” Not exactly so.

“I think it’s hard for all of us to remain diligent with the requirements that are in place,” Powell High School Principal Mr. Tim Wormald said. “It’s been a long time and I think we were kind of hopeful that we would be seeing some light at the end of the tunnel right now.

“I think students have been a little bit more apt to pull their mask down or not wear them, and I think teachers have been a little less likely to confront or engage in some of those things, but [we’re] still fighting that fight, still willing to battle that. By-and-large, students and staff are doing a great job, but people are getting tired so we’re meeting [that] with some extra diligence at this point.” 

Students are also seeing a change in behavior, and some are noticing that we all just want this to be over.

“Since we just came off of Christmas break, [students] are used to not wearing masks and since restrictions are lifting, they don’t think they [have to] listen to rules anymore,” freshman Lachelle Lee said. “Even I’m getting sick of the masks.”

Now that it’s a new semester and not much has changed, teachers and students are getting tired of Covid and miss how life used to be. 

“I really thought it would get better at this point, [and] I’m still hopeful that we get some herd immunity going with the vaccines,” Health teacher Mrs. Kandi Bennett said.  “I miss watching [students] play ball. There’s so many things that I don’t realize how much I miss the normality of it.” 

Many students have had to quarantine, due either to having had the virus or being in close contact with someone who did. At this point, it’s a struggle for students that have to keep quarantining.

“It wasn’t annoying; it was just inconvenient because some teachers didn’t do Zoom, so when I got back I was behind and unprepared,” sophomore Katie Beavers said. “ I am hoping it doesn’t happen again because it was so hard to catch up when I got back.

“I am tired of everything happening but I understand why we have to wear masks and walk one way. I’m hoping that it ends so we can go back to normal classes and [not] having to wear a mask.” 

Added sophomore Anna Bartholowmew: “It’s all getting really annoying, but if it keeps us in school, I can put up with it.”