Senior feels the full force of the pandemic through loss, work, family, and more
Living in a home of seven people, with two of them in at-risk categories, Senior Yire Sanchez has taken pandemic precautions very seriously. After losing two family members, and the hospitalization of a third, Sanchez occupies her time at home by helping around the house when her parents are at work. Whether that be babysitting or making dinner she finds a way to balance her schoolwork, including participation in theater, with her at-home duties, and her newfound exploration of her creative side.
Time and Pain
Through quarantine Sanchez has been able to “find her true self.”
“One of my highs and lows was time, but also pain,” Sanchez expressed in reference to the many ups and downs of the pandemic.
As Sanchez’ place of work had been one of many coronavirus related closures, she now has more time to spend with her family, something she wished she could have gotten more of with her grandma.
“People going to parties and stuff like that is very frustrating to me… I never got to say bye to my grandma, I never got to say my last words to her, I never got to give her my last hug and other people are out here with their masks off,” Sanchez said.
Exploration of the Arts
While at home, one of the many things Sanchez gives her time to is theater and her participation in the Advanced Acting class’ radio show, “A Christmas Carol.” Sanchez is an ensemble member and is also in charge of finding the music for the show alongside fellow Technical Theater classmate, senior Anya Veach.
From finding music cues and taking notes on the tone of a scene, to searching for the right songs that are free to use, their task is not a small one.
“Yire is such a wonderful person to work with. She’s smart, creative, motivated, and also incredibly supportive. It’s impossible to feel stressed when working with her because she’s so positive and kind,” Veach stated.
Through her many different duties as a student and family member she has also taken the time to explore her newfound creative side. While she may not be able to connect with her friends, she is connecting with an audience as she posts her glass paintings online.
Quarantine has taken things from Sanchez, but it has also served as a time for development for her.
“I’m starting to gain a little bit more confidence. Almost a little bit everyday,” she concluded.
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