What was supposed to be 180 days, ended up being only 168 days.

Our time on campus this school year, which is usually 180 days of hard work, unforgettable memories, and fun, got cut short this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As students, school is a tedious requirement. Up until this year, I never really realized how much we missed school, all of the fun times, and memories in between. I never noticed how much I loved seeing my friends every day, being able to hand out the print editions of Na Pueo once a quarter, and all of the other mundane activities I took for granted.

Along with things taken for granted, none of us recognized the importance of valuable news. Especially now, not everything seen and heard regarding COVID-19 is true. For example, the death numbers vary per site, many opinions regarding the economy are biased, and people can’t seem to distinguish the difference between fact and opinion. At Na Pueo, it is our goal to report the whole truth and be a voice for the students.

At first, I never pictured journalism as something that I could do. However, it has become my favorite class. Being the voice for the student body and a source students can rely on for credible information is a type of satisfaction you don’t get from just anything. I encourage anyone who is interested in opinion writing, reporting, or even just looking for a new elective to take journalism.

This year was full of ups and downs, and we all have learned so much about appreciating the simple things. As the year comes to a close, I would personally like to thank everyone — faculty, staff, and students —for staying sane through this unprecedented time. Thank you to all of the dedicated readers that keep the importance of student media at the forefront. My staff and I have all loved writing for the students and faculty of Mid-Pacific and we are very sad that this year was cut short.

This editorial marks the last published piece on napueo.org for the summer, but we will be back in the fall with the latest student news. However, I hope that you all stay informed and educated throughout the summer.

For our seniors, it was supposed to be 180 days of fun, everlasting memories. As cliche as it may sound, all good things must come to an end, sometimes sooner than expected. I wish everyone the best of luck in the next chapter of your life and I know you all will do amazing things.

To the rest of us, learn from this and appreciate all of the things taken for granted. To the class of 2021, let’s make our senior year memorable and cherish the time we have left together.

I hope everyone has a great summer and I can’t wait to see you all back again in the fall!

Sincerely,
Erin Goya
Editor-in-Chief