Coming Together While Apart

    The quarantine continued. And there was a new problem. Friends could not get together. Grandparents could not see their grandkids. People were afraid of getting sick. But loneliness became a danger too.

    Jordan Mittler, 16, wanted to help. He lives in New York City. Before the coronavirus, he gave computer lessons to seniors. In March, he moved his classes online. 

    Jordan showed his students how to use FaceTime. Then they could call their grandkids. He taught them how to buy food online too. That way, they could stay home.

    Rem Johannknecht, 16, saw the same problem in Chicago. His grandmother lives in senior housing. Rem knew visitors would not be allowed. So he started a service called Connect Chicago. He trained 150 volunteers. They call people who just want to talk.

    As the quarantine continued, however, a new problem arose. Friends couldn’t meet up. Grandparents couldn’t spend time with their grandchildren. People were still fearful of getting sick—but loneliness became a big concern as well.

    Jordan Mittler, 16, knew he could help. Prior to the coronavirus, he had been giving in-person computer lessons to seniors in New York City. In March, he moved his classes online. 

    Jordan showed his students how to call their grandkids using FaceTime and how to shop for groceries without leaving their homes. “It’s something they never thought they’d be able to do,” he says.

    Rem Johannknecht, 16, saw a similar problem in Chicago. His grandmother lives in senior housing, and Rem knew she was going to be cut off from visitors. So he started a service called Connect Chicago, and by the end of April, he had trained 150 volunteers. They call people who just want someone to talk to while they’re stuck at home.

    Then there were all the things that didn’t happen. Birthday parties and proms were called off. Graduation ceremonies were canceled. But all across the country, teens refused to miss the most important events of their lives. 

    Beverly Us-Zapata had a drive-by quinceañera. That’s a big 15th birthday celebration for Latinas—girls whose families are originally from Mexico, Central America, South America, or parts of the Caribbean. She put on a fancy dress and makeup. Her family helped her set up outside her house in Oregon. They had cupcakes and candy ready for guests who drove by.

    In New York City, Ruby Allison had her senior year at Hunter College High cut short. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. So she and her friends made an exact model of the school in the video game Minecraft. Then they held a prom and a graduation in the game.

    Ruby says the project helped her turn a lost senior year into one she would remember forever. “Everyone had this shared moment,” she says. “We took this situation and made something we could be proud of.” 

    Because of the virus, many things didn’t happen. Birthday parties and proms were canceled. Graduation ceremonies were too. Still, teens found ways to celebrate. 

    Beverly Us-Zapata lives in Oregon. She had a drive-by quinceañera. That’s a big 15th birthday celebration for Latinas (girls whose families are originally from Mexico, Central America, South America, or parts of the Caribbean). Beverly wore a fancy dress and makeup. Her family helped her set up outside her house. Guests who drove by got cupcakes and candy. 

    Ruby Allison lives in New York City. She went to Hunter College High School. Her senior year was cut short because of the virus. She wasn’t ready to say goodbye. So she and her friends made a model of the school in the video game Minecraft. Then they held a prom in the game. They had a graduation in the game too.

    Ruby says she will remember her senior year forever. “Everyone had this shared moment,” she says. “We took this situation and made something we could be proud of.” •

    Social distancing rules led to birthday parties, proms, and graduation ceremonies being called off. But all across the country, teens were determined to still celebrate the most important events of their lives—so they got creative. 

    Beverly Us-Zapata had a drive-by quinceañera. A quinceañera is a special 15th birthday celebration for Latinas—girls whose families are originally from Mexico, Central America, South America, or parts of the Caribbean. Beverly wore a fancy dress and makeup, and her family helped her set up outside her house in Oregon. As guests drove by, they were given cupcakes and candy.

    In New York City, Ruby Allison’s senior year at Hunter College High School was cut short. But Ruby wasn’t ready to say goodbye, so she and her friends created an exact model of their school in the world of a video game called Minecraft. Then they hosted a prom and a graduation online—in the game.

    A lost senior year turned into one Ruby says she’ll remember forever—thanks to her school model project. “Everyone had this shared moment,” she explains. “We took this situation and made something we could be proud of.” •