An Open Letter to the Class of 2020 From Monda the Photographer - Twin Cities High School Senior Portrait Photographer, Woodbury, MN

Dear Class of 2020 Students,

Never in a million years would I have imagined witnessing the current events of what is happening in our world today.

What a vague sentence.

If I wrote this a month ago- even 10 days ago - most would be like “What the hell is she talking about?” and more than likely you would skip over my note completely. But today, which is supposed to be a lucky day - St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2020, you all know EXACTLY what I’m referring to when I say “current events.” It’s all very surreal to me as a 44 year old adult. I simply cannot imagine what school-age kids are feeling, especially high school seniors. Last week you were probably on spring break with a group of your favorite people, headed to a sporting event, or maybe you were out at the mall shopping for your prom dress having a blast with your best friends, and all the sudden, you are ordered to stay within the perimeters of your own home for who knows how long. No more friend hangouts or trips to the movies, or meeting up with friends for coffee.

Let me preface this entry by stating that I retort to humor and comedy as a way to cope with stressful situations, more times than few in my life. And I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. It helps me to take the edge off of what would otherwise probably set me in a downward spiral of anxiety and panic. I mean no offense to anyone who actually is in panic mode, or is blinded with fear or is hoarding the toilet paper (…actually, scratch the hoarders comment. I don’t understand the chaos!). While many people are posting the latest statistics and government updates, or trying to prove who has the most reliable data in piss matches through their keyboards (which, stop it!) - I’m out there giggling at the latest memes to express the craziness of it all. By the way, I just realized there is a toilet paper emoji on our phones! Score!
For the record: I know the health situation is fierce. I know it is real. And I AM taking it seriously.

I think most adults are really close to losing our marbles, scurrying down the grocery isles to find any last package of toilet paper and hand sanitizer, wondering what the next hour’s horror news update will bring – and through all of that - I can’t help but think of the Class of 2020 and what is going through your minds right now. It’s like your senior year just vanished!!

Normally, this is the time of the year (from a calendar standpoint) where most have your eyes on the final prize, right? Spring activities and sports, prom, the end-of-year awards banquets, final hangouts with your classmates, class trips, spring break-even a senior slide mentality maybe. Your families begin to prepare for grad parties and work furiously to complete last-minute house projects to accommodate an army of family and friends to celebrate you as you embark on your next chapter in your life. You take for granted that you will have your moment to cross the stage and receive that hard-earned diploma and go through these expected motions of completion of your high school years. It’s all part of the final rites of passage as a high school senior, and soon-to-be graduate.

And all the sudden, some stupid virus pandemic wanders in full force and starts stripping those experiences from you! Worst bully of all times! It’s like you had all these final high school moments lined up, and just like that – the rug has been pulled out from underneath you without further instruction on what’s next. Postponements. Cancellations.

Freaking fantastic. Just what you wanted to hear when you are WEEKS away from grabbing that tassle and diploma and getting the hell outta Dodge!

Jokes set aside, I wanted to extend compassion, concern and hope to you, the Class of 2020. Because goodness knows you guys need it more than anyone right now.

I know this situation is hard, and downright bewildering for you and your family to experience. I’ve had the privilege of working with a handful of you this year for your senior portraits. I could tell immediately that the Class of 2020, as a whole, is filled with remarkable beings who have the entire future ahead of them to accomplish great things. This situation we are in today does not change that outlook one bit.

I’m not a therapist, but I do realize that with this turbulence in your lives, and major disruption to everything you’ve ever known…there is going to be some psychological pieces for all of us to work through, no doubt. But especially your young minds. I encourage you to take this time to just “be.” You are used to things being instant. I think many of us have grown accustom to that same scenario of now, Now, NOW! Obviously at this moment, not the case.  We’ve all been slapped in the face and need to slow down. Try to take this forced time away from the classroom setting, from the craziness of hopping from one activity to the next, and always being on the go, and let yourself rest. If you are feeling anxious or uncertain as to what is to come? Talk about it with a family member. Journal about it in your own private thoughts. Or start live chats with your closest friends, so that you can still experience the personal connection the best you can while on lockdown. You could always do what I do and find a meme that you can laugh at.

Most of you have phones with amazing cameras. Go outside by yourself and take photos of something that represent how you are feeling at this moment. And document that moment of what that image means for you. It may help with your coping process, and perhaps even find some clarity in how to carry forward. I believe there is healing with just letting yourself be inspired by this unplanned time of reflection. Remember you are not alone in this!

I’ll bet that some of you feel helpless or wonder if you can do anything. I’d suggest to find kindness in your words, in your demeanor, in your heart. Extend grace the best you can. Daydream. Pause and take stock of what is really important to you and your family right now. We don’t know how long this will last. Embrace the down time if you can.

Please never forget that you are a light, and you shine bright. This mess the world is in? Does not define you or me or the next person. This is a very trying time for all of us, but you can choose to dwell on that, or you can rise up and be stronger than ever with life’s next challenges. If I had a magic wand to wave, I’d be out there like mad doing so if it meant you could get your high school senior year classroom experience back. And who knows, maybe things will clear much sooner and you can regain some of those moments. But the harsh reality is what it is, for now. I want you to know that there are people like myself who stand behind you and are here to encourage you as you navigate through this. You were born into a time period where perseverance and undeniable strength prevail (reads: 9/11). Let today’s experience be no different. You can do this. You will grow from this in amounts greater than what you can even fathom.

I wish you, the Class of 2020, faith, hope and wisdom to conquer this wild experience.

Fondly,

Monda the Photographer

You can find me on instagram @mondafoto, or via facebook at Monda Goette Photography