By Vivian Hirschfield Hi readers! I’m a new teen columnist for Lake Forest’s beloved Lake Forest Love, and one of the first lessons I learned in my journalism class at Lake Forest High School is that a good way to start any piece is with a strong introduction.
My name is Vivian Hirschfield, but everyone calls me Vivi or Viv. I’m a junior. I have two dogs and two younger siblings who both go to Deer Path Middle School, and I was born and raised in Austin, Texas until my family moved here in 2016. I have a passion for many subjects and activities but especially writing, so when my teacher Mr. Leyden told our class about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to offer the inside scoop on student life -- from my own opinions to general updates.
The past 18 months have been painful. As we settle into a new time, it’s been an adjustment. Making the switch from school in my own space over a screen back to a busy classroom created all kinds of challenges. Returning to a regular routine, for example. It seems small, but waking up at a consistent time every morning and remembering to double-check that I have everything before I leave has become something that requires more work now. Last year, all I needed was my laptop, and I was set. That said, it was a tough time socially. School didn’t feel the same without being surrounded by other students who had different strengths and weaknesses than me and who could bring new ideas to our lessons. I can say with confidence that virtual learning took a lot out of the students and teachers alike. We were all forced to learn things about ourselves as we got an education in a style we had never tried before.
However, we survived! Hearing the news that I would finally return to school in person gave me a lot of hope. I am so grateful knowing that I can learn and ask questions face to face alongside everyone else, and that I can finally do so safely.
I know we still have a long way to go before we can truly say we’re back to normal, but seeing the stands filled with spirited Scouts at football games and being able to eat at a lunch table with my friends feels pretty close.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a high school experience so far but seeing how hard everyone’s working to get back to the top makes it all worth it. This year, the LFHS motto is “All In, Every Day” and while that is just a little cheesy it’s proven to be true.
I can’t wait to share more about my high school life as LFHS returns stronger than ever, and as I finish off this piece in my AP Language and Composition class, I’m already thinking about what to write next.
Bye for now!