Roma High School students are ready for their “firsts” when they finally go back to the world they left behind in 2020. They hope for family gatherings, grandma’s hugs, laughing with friends, traveling, sports, and just everything “normal” for this new year of 2021.
(Courtesy Photo)
As vaccines make their way to the small community of Roma, the students crave the things they once placed no thought to before life became lockdowns, curfews, masks, six-feet-apart signs, and the dreaded online school.
Roma High School English teachers Taylor Lifka and Mary Moore put out this question to their English I and II students : “What is the first thing you will do when the pandemic ends?”
Lifka participated in The New York Times questionnaire with the same question, and her published response in The New York Times led the teachers to garner and share responses from their own students.
Lifka shared her “first” with her students:
“I’m excited to watch my first cohort of freshman students walk across the stage at their high school graduation and tell them in person, four years later, how incredibly proud I am to have been their teacher and now their friend.”
Moore’s “first” is going back to school, not just the building but the hub of student activity.
“Sitting in the stands… that is where you will find me as soon as it is safe. Outside shivering under the softball field’s bright lights; watching the band and color guard perform in the middle of a football game; cheering as loud as this proud teacher can when her students shoot a basket or volley the ball successfully across the net.”
The responses then flowed from their students and highlighted what we all yearn for — a return to normal.
Missing Hugs and Kisses
I want to go see my grandma and give her a hug. — David Hernandez
I want to see my grandpa and give him a kiss. — Jaqueline Garcia
The first thing I want to do when the pandemic is over is visit my grandma and give her the biggest and tightest hug ever. — Andrea Ramos
I would like to go and visit my grandma in San Antonio. — Juan D. Gonzalez
I can’t wait to be able to feel the excitement of going to church with my closest friends and being able to hug each other in the moments we need it the most. — Brianna Maldonado
As soon as this pandemic ends, I’ll have a different perspective toward school. I’ll be grateful, and hug everyone I miss whenever we get the opportunity. — Lizette Cabrera
I want to have a gathering with the people I love and give them the biggest hug & travel and stay there for a long time. — Lizbeth Garcia
I would like to simply sit down and enjoy a good coffee with my grandparents and would like to travel out of the country with my family once again. — Alexa Bazan
I´d like to see my grandparents and give them a big hug and talk with them like old times outside in the backyard cooking some carne asada. — Ninel Benitez
Driving down the highway with the windows down and country music blasting. On my way back to my small hometown in Arkansas to see all of my friends and family. Getting to hug them again would be amazing and no one being worried about getting sick. — Bridgett Robinson
I want to look up at the stars, with a huge smile on my face, surrounded by my friends. Hearing us laugh at jokes and talk about our days. Being able to hug each other and be crazy. — Mariela Rios
Finally being able to hug my grandma and get near her, and being able to travel to see my family I haven’t seen in about a year. — Fatima Lozano
Even though I get on calls with my friends and can look at them, I really just want to be in the same room with them and see their lovely smiles. They’re gonna get a hug whether they like it or not. — Naylette A Guerra
Chilling with Family and Friends
The first thing I would like to do is go and visit my family and chat under the bright moon. I would like to gather with my friends and chill under the luminous sun and play — sports and chill. —Jesus Rios
I am going to hang out with my friends and have sleepovers with no worries. — Juan Lopez
I’m going to go to the movie theater with my friends and go eat after. Never been more excited to watch a movie before. — Lesly Garcia
I want to hang out with my friends, see my boyfriend, have my late XV party, see my family more as well. I want to be free of worry and be thankful it is over. — Benita Aguirre
I would love to be able to go out with my friends and have the best nights ever. — Angela Palacios
I want to go out to a restaurant with my family and hear other people around us. I want to hug my friends and tell them how much I have missed them. — Viviana Garcia
I want to be able to go out on late-night walks again be it with my friends or family and experience the cool air while the moon is out. — Evelyn Gutierrez
I would like to finally go out with my friends anywhere like a restaurant or a big party,without worrying about getting sick. — German Rivera
I really want to go to the beach with my family. I want to feel the fresh air in my face, the cold water, and the annoying sand that gets everywhere. I miss the beach so much. — Kaythleen Rodriguez
I’m going to have a sleepover with my best friends and blast our favorite music while drawing and snacking on some chips. — Arantza I. Cab
The first thing I’m looking forward to doing when the pandemic ends is meeting new people. I miss the nerve-wrecking feeling of trying to figure out what I’m gonna say next. — Natalia L.
The first thing I would do when the pandemic ends is go see my best friends in person and have fun at a park or at the mall instead of having to only see each other through a screen. — Brizeida M. Ramos
The vivid images and memories of family get-togethers, nights out in the town, and touching everything in stores and restaurants is something I’m deeply anticipating. — Angelina Garcia
Sports, Concerts, and Crowds
I would like to go and play soccer or baseball with full teams because it is not fun to play with six people. — Juan Gonzalez
The first thing I would do when the pandemic is over is play as many sports as I can because I miss the nerve wrecking feeling before a game. I also miss the feeling of winning. — Diego Rodriguez
I’m looking forward to going to high school for the first time in a long time and playing football. — Joshua Bernardo Sanchez
What I am most excited to do after the pandemic is to play volleyball with a team. I miss the feeling of practicing with teammates and getting to eat together as a team once a game is over. — Paula Barba
I would love to feel the thrill of going out in extremely filled stands while performing with the band. Feeling the heat from the sun and the sweat coming down my face. Marching across the field. — Keyla Barrera
Play basketball without my mask on so I can be able to breathe. — Davian Clarke
I want to have practice outside on the courts, travel to tournaments on the hot or cold bus, and be with my teammates, like we used to, without having to worry about getting infected. — Mariana Urbano
Be able to finish my basketball season and make it the best I possibly can. — Herbey Alanis Jr.
Going out on the football field and playing next year and just hearing the fans from the Roma crowd. — Victor Ramirez
I am looking forward to live music. The moment when the lights go low, and the crowd’s screams become deafening. — Nancy Ramirez
I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity of attending a Harry Styles concert in real life, singing my guts out, and interacting with all the random people next to me. — Dayanara Desiree Salinas
I miss being able to go to the conjunto concerts, seeing a lot of people sitting on the chairs while we are playing our accordions without a mask or being six feet apart. — Alejandra Guerra
I look forward to the day this is all over and I can go to concerts with my friend and dance, sing, and jump around with no cares in the world with the crowd around us. — Katlyn Moreno
I’m looking forward to going out and playing conjunto live again. — Roby J. Benitez
Oh! The places we’ll go!
I want to pack, fill the tank, grab my family, leave town and drive to Universal Studios for vacation. I think we are all going to need a distraction from the world. — Ashley Molina
Going on vacations with my family that would bring each of us so much joy because it was so relaxing. — Juliana Delagarza
When this pandemic is over, I would like to go to the beach; I miss the feeling of the sand at my feet as I watch the waves crash onto the shores.— Jorge Ayala
I’m going on a vacation for a long time overseas. I’ll know where and when the time comes. I can just imagine being with my family having fun. — Kevin Chapa
See my grandfather who lives in India and who I haven’t seen in over a year, and tell him about all the things I have been doing since I last saw him. — Alec Kanhere
I want to be able to travel with my mom and brother again, so we can enjoy seeing amazing places and discover new things we weren’t able to discover during the pandemic. — Yanarii Garcia
I am going to travel to Los Cabos Baja California with my dad. I am also going to spend more time with my friends and go to parties. — Ninnett Sanchez
I am going to visit my aunt in New York because I haven’t been able to see her. — Ana Magallanes
I want to travel and get out of here!!! — Sheyla Carbajal
The first thing I would want to do is visit my grandparents in Mexico. I haven’t seen them in almost a year, and I really miss them. — Nora Martinez
My family and I were going to New York but we couldn’t because of C OVID . I also miss a lot of my friends and family members. Hopefully everything gets better soon. As soon as this finishes I will go visit my family and friends. — Camila Moreno
Me and my family were going to go to Italy this summer, but because of the pandemic we were unable to go. Hopefully we can go when the pandemic dies down. — Cristian Elizondo
When the pandemic ends I’ll probably go on a road trip with my family. No social distancing!! — Calista Moreno
Go to Monterrey to visit my family, go to all the tourist spots and enjoy the food from my family’s childhood. —Valeria Pompa
I am eagerly waiting to finally go to the waterpark. My sister and I have been talking about this since last year. I can’t wait to be in line for hours for my turn on the waterslide. It would also be the first experience for my niece to be in a waterpark. — Emily Rodriguez
Being able to travel out of the country with my family. The overall road trip experience of looking out the window and admiring the passing scenery is something I really long for. — Daisy Molina
And Back to School
Being able to sit in a classroom and laugh with my friends. Walking hurriedly down the cramped halls without having to worry about wearing masks or social distancing. — Jorge Barrera
Can’t wait to go back to school, listening to all the kids yelling from the cafeteria and the running going on in the hallways of school. — Gilly
I want to go back to school and see my family happy. — Myllye Martinez
I want to go back to school because online classes are a little bit boring. — Nallely Treviño
I want to be able to go into the high school as a high school student. Walk through the crowded halls with people I know and that I don’t know. — Amy Huerta
To experience high school for the first time and socialize with friends and distant family. — Luis Ortiz
I am very excited to finally go back to school. I cannot wait to see all my friends. I can’t wait to actually give them a hug. I am also looking forward to doing sports in high school! (volleyball/basketball) — Jaiela Garza
I am looking forward to walking down the halls with friends as we head to our next class. — Luis Garcia
I would really like to go back to school and experience being a high schooler for the very first time. — Zoe Maldonado
Summing the end of the pandemic for all!
First thing I would do is breathe a sigh of relief. — Luis Garza
