Dear Seniors,

Can you believe our time at Lincoln-Way West has almost come to a close? It seems like only yesterday we were small, nervous freshmen entering this new school of giants. No electives, all business. Then sophomore year, the year of driver’s ed and more independence, we were glad not to be on the bottom any more. Life was progressing like normal. The year 2019 turned into 2020, and these sophomores came face to face with a reality that has not plagued this world in almost a century–living through a pandemic. What started as an extended Spring Break turned into our year being cut short; however, there was comfort in knowing that we would be back to normal come the start of our junior year. How little we knew at that time. Junior year almost feels like lost time. No social events, sports canceled or pushed back to a shortened season, and intermittent isolation. We truly have been through it all; however, through these times, we stood strong knowing that we would all eventually see each other again. Now we cut to the present. It is our senior year, and although we still may have masks and COVID-19 may still be lurking, we have found a way to adjust to this new normal, and have overcome the obstacles it has thrown at us. No matter how uncertain the road ahead may look, we are Warriors, we are strong, and we will get through it together!

–Brendan Hawkins