Your quarantine nickname, according to New York Magazine art critic Jerry Saltz, is how you feel right now + the last thing you ate out of the cupboard.

“Annoyed Fruit Roll-Up.” — Julianna Polichetti, Bullitt East

“Distraught Applesauce.” — Kennedy Wilson, Manual

“Enraged Popcorn.” — Brady Dixon, Eastern

“Frustrated Hot Pocket.” — Jordan Gaines, Jeffersontown

“Irritable Reese’s.” — Sarah Berna, Silver Creek (Sellersburg)

“Lonely Oatmeal.” — Tabitha Robinson, Assumption

“Melancholy Froot Loops.” — Sophiya Geary, Ballard

“Nostalgic Ziti.” — Sam Adams, Manual

“Pissed Pop-Tart.” — Madison Tarter, Eastern

“Tired Mashed Potatoes.” — Jacoby Mask, Western

Most common adjectives (in order):

Others: exhausted, groggy, goofy, mad, indifferent, disappointed, blah, meh, relaxed, lazy, annoyed, anxious, OK, apathetic, bittersweet, speechless, unmotivated, conflicted, content, mellow, creative, hopeful, defeated, empty, overwhelmed, excited, bummed, chill, etc.

Some of the items from the cupboard: Cadbury Mini Eggs, Cheez-It, Cheetos, Animal Crackers, Goldfish, Nutella, Pringles, ramen (lots and lots of ramen).

“I played Peter in Peter Pan, and, yes, I dyed my hair green for it.” — Alexandra Rapp, Mercy

“I couldn’t get a picture of it, but I miss Ballard’s track. Made so many memories there.” — David Young, Ballard

If you could only watch one movie during quarantine, what would it be?

“If I had to pick one it would definitely be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. My face mask actually is Deathly Hallows-patterned.” — Lauren Weaver, Manual

“Shrek. He was able to quarantine better than anyone if we are being honest here.” — Joclyn Ragland, Crawford County (Marengo)

“My criteria’s very simple: anything but Contagion.” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart

“The new Scoob! movie makes me happy and reminds me of my childhood spent watching Scooby-Doo on TV.” — Holly O’Donald, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs)

“I know it would be one that would take my mind far away, one where science and fantasy blend together, politics are different and there is more to explore than a house where you’re quarantining.” — Kennet Clark, Ballard

“My mom and I have watched Waiting to Exhale at least once per week.” — Ryane Jones, Sacred Heart

“Something about the medical world and/or people overcoming hardships and becoming what they want to be. I’m motivated to become the best RN I can be.” — Octavia Robinson, Waggener

“Mulan or any Disney movie because I love singing along.” — Andrea Licona Leiva, Southern

“I found Star Wars. And, man, I was missing out.” — Addison Evers, Manual

“Can it be a TV channel instead? Because: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.” — Laura Hood, Assumption

Most common answers: 10 Things I Hate About You, Avengers: Endgame, Back to the Future, Coco, Forrest Gump, Good Wil Hunting, Harry Potter movies, High School Musical movies, Knives Out, Love & Basketball, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Star Wars movies, Step Brothers, Twilight movies

“This is the day my sister and I met our favorite singer, Shawn Mendes, in Nashville.” — Katie Cooper, Presentation

Top 10 (in order):

“Manual beat St. X for the first time in 23 years. The game was in the rain, and it was so cold, but it was so fun cheering on the team and was so exciting when we won.” — Annie Michael, Manual

What’s on your pandemic playlist?

“Lots of sad songs. Mostly Adele.” — Brady Dixon, Eastern

“Lots of lo-fi hip-hop remixes to video game and movie soundtracks.” — Elena Jolly, Manual 

“One Direction and classical music. An odd pairing, but that’s my go-to for comfort.” — Heather Allen, Manual 

“Rainy-day-type music — not too sad, not too happy, pretty chill.” — Joseph Falcon, Shawnee

“Lot of Harley Poe, the Homeless Gospel Choir (described as an ‘acoustic horror folk rock band with punk influences’). I was supposed to see them in the spring. Obviously that did not end up happening.” — Chloé Hill, Manual 

“My sister and I made a playlist called ‘Love in the Time of Corona,’ which features such hard-hitting social-distancing anthems as ‘Work from Home’ by Fifth Harmony and ‘Kiss Me Thru the Phone’ by Soulja Boy.” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart

“Songs from the early 2000s that I forgot but still know every word to.” — Shannon Bradley, Manual 

“I’ve been listening to a bunch of oldies, songs from the 1940s and ’50s. They give me a sense of nostalgia, even though I was nowhere near alive back then.” — Casey Weaver, Manual 

“‘Don’t Stand So Close to Me’ by The Police. 😉” — Sophie Weber, Jeffersonville 

“So much ’80s and even more ABBA. Thank god for those Swedish disco saints.” — Lorena Powell-Apestegui, Manual

Favorite restaurant for carryout?

“Olive Garden has the best lasagna and baked ziti. Combine that with Cheesecake Factory’s Godiva cheesecake and you are guaranteed to be full for the next 24 hours.” — Riley Warren, Assumption

“Denny’s. Always Denny’s.” — Aly Porter, Moore

“Joella’s. Chicken and waffles is my weakness.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard

“My school’s courtyard. As a special privilege, seniors got to eat lunch out here. When the weather is warm, it feels so nice outside.” — Riley Warren, Assumption

Top 10 (in order):

“This sunrise picture reminds me of happy times because I took it on the last day of school. I didn’t know it would be my last day at Assumption, but the sunrise reminds me that nothing lasts forever and that things will be OK.” — Lydia Holland, Assumption

Which Louisville restaurant will you eat at first once they reopen?

“Highland Coffee because I miss getting my usual herbal tea latte with a chocolate croissant. I used to go with my friend every Monday before school.” — London Camba, Manual 

“Burger Boy. Their fries are to DIE for.” — Lauren Weaver, Manual 

“I’ve never had a Hot Brown, so my family and I are going to go to the Brown Hotel to eat Hot Browns.” — Ruby Jost, Brown 

“O’Shea’s in the Highlands. My sister and I are literally the only people I’ve ever seen order hot tea there, and I intend to continue the tradition.” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart 

“Dragon King’s Daughter. Who knew you could crave an eggplant parmesan quesadilla?” — Madeline (Maddie) Stokes, Sacred Heart 

“Queen of Sheba is the best restaurant ever. I give it a 15 out of 10, highly recommend.” — Madison Roy, Whitefield Academy

“I miss Simply Thai so much. My family always goes there when my sister comes back from college, so we’ve really been missing it for those kinds of celebrations.” — Fiona Grannan, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs)

“Probably Jeff Ruby’s, but only because we were supposed to have birthday reservations there before everything shut down. My boyfriend, his brother and I all have April birthdays.” — Michaela Campbell, Floyd County (Floyds Knobs)

“Brazeiros at Fourth Street Live. It’s my boyfriend’s and my favorite fancy place, and we only go on really special occasions. We’ll make a reservation and wear our prom getups and feast!” — Eva Kreitman, Manual 

“Idk. I think I’ll stay in, let everyone else test the water.” — Deja Andrews, Seneca

Top 10 (in order):

“I like going outside for walks and doing chalk art to avoid becoming a couch potato.” — Holly Kissel, Presentation

“Visiting my grandmother in the nursing home.” — Damica Marshall, Jeffersonville

“I’m happiest fishing on the beach with my dad.” — Daniel Flynn, Kentucky School for the Blind

When did the scale of the pandemic hit home?

“At the beginning of this I worked for my friend’s dad at ValuMarket for two weeks. It was crazy what people bought. Someone bought 17 gallons of milk and another guy bought $50 worth of yogurt.” — Lauren Weaver, Manual 

“I was driving to my mom’s house one day toward the beginning of the pandemic. She lives off Frankfort Avenue, which is always super busy, but that day it was a ghost town. Nobody was walking on the sidewalks, everything was closed and there were no cars. Which made turning left much easier, but it was still very depressing.” — Ruby Jost, Brown 

“My grandparents live in the northern region of Ghana. And when it hit there I was very scared.” — Saeedatu Nasara Shamsudeen, Central 

“When I got the call about KHSAA canceling all spring sports. It broke me. Baseball has been my building block since I was four, and I’d waited all my life for this season. In our first and only baseball scrimmage, against DeSales, I ended the game with a three-run walk-off home run. Now, this summer, I’ll just be trying to have as much fun as I can before I leave for Navy basic training. People ask, ‘Why would you join the military?’ This question is normally followed by a snarky remark about how college is the best fit for everyone. That wasn’t the route written in my cards.” — Stephen Ruddy, Martha Layne Collins (Shelbyville)

“My mom lost her job. Money is very tight, and I’m just tired of seeing her cry or worry about how she’s going to feed the house.” — Symphony Mariah Caballero-Yancey, Waggener 

“Seeing the data that Black people were suffering at higher rates from the coronavirus really put things into perspective for me and totally made clear that the pandemic is not an equalizer but another level of racism within our society.” — Ryane Jones, Sacred Heart 

“Neighbor began to distrust neighbor.” — Elana Berger, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“When I realized I’ll never be a high school teenager again, and that it’s time to be an adult.” — Alyssa Mcentire, Pleasure Ridge Park

“Hearing Andy read off the cases and deaths, especially when he says a name. I don’t understand how others don’t see how real this is.” — Ysa Leon, Manual 

“In my second class, on my second-to-last day of school, my favorite teacher, with tears in her eyes, said, ‘Assumption will always be your home away from home. Don’t ever forget that.’ I knew I had to experience the magic of Assumption for myself one last time. During my lunch break, I drove to the school. I had conversations with the custodial staff — six feet away, of course — read my book for hours in the freezing cold and walked around the whole school, documenting my favorite place. I stopped in front of the main entrance and just stood there, taking it all in. Finally, after about 30 minutes of just standing, I went to sit down on a nearby bench. Just when I least expected it, a faculty member who works in the main office came to check on me (still social distancing). Immediately I knew I was going to cry and didn’t know when or how I would stop. Everyone wants their own little place in the world. Only by the grace of God am I able to say that mine is here: 2170 Tyler Lane.” — Riley Warren, Assumption

“Two of my friends — Jack Foldyna and Kylie Hill — made this guitar for me as a present for my 18th birthday. Every time I see and play it, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have friends who care so much.” — Chloe Hill, Manual

“Friendsgiving.” — Gabriella Nieves, Ballard

“We were allowed to all hang out together without social distancing. I just want to get back to those times.” — Gabriel Marks, DeSales

“Mercy’s lacrosse field is where I could be myself and work hard at the same time.” — Kendra Yurt, Mercy

What’s something other than TV/movies/books/music that has kept you entertained?

Common answers: painting (lots and lots of painting); experimenting with makeup; writing letters to friends; learning guitar; learning ukulele; sewing; swimming (“With a tether cord in my neighbor’s pool,” — Cora Martin, Kentucky Country Day); baking; reading the Bible; kayaking; training a new pet (Adelaide Lenihan from St. Francis got a red standard poodle named Q for “quarantine”); gardening; fishing; playing in the creek; jumping rope; journaling; meditating; lifting weights; playing board games (e.g., Rummikub and Clue), poker and Animal Crossing (Chloé Hill from Manual painted her favorite characters from the video game onto her jeans); working at Raising Cane’s (Anna Ashbrook, Assumption), Taco Bell (Donnie Smith, Valley), Walmart (Allison Russell, Eastern), Feeders Supply (“The scale of the pandemic hit home when people started buying a lot of dog food and wearing masks” — Lily Johnson, St. Francis), Starbucks (Caroline Youdes, Manual), Jay C Food Store in the ClickList department (Holly O’Donald, Floyd Central), Target (Connor Bickel, Floyd Central), UPS (Jackson Hall, Brown), Kroger (“Pays me very well” — Elizabeth Kane, Floyd Central); and coloring. “Coloring is definitely an underrated activity that should not be left behind in elementary school,” says Leigh Henry, Brown.

“Solving matrices by hand. I’ve now made and solved them up to five-by-six in dimension.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“The podcast Modern Love. Reminds you of when you could actually hug people.” — Eleanor Barzun, Collegiate

“My boo.” — Hunter Ryan, Bullitt East

“I found some unopened LEGO kits in my house…so now I have a 1½ -foot-wide UFO that makes ray-gun noises.” — Morgan (May) Willcox, Manual 

“Customizing my own puzzle with the picture of my class from our last first day of high school.” — Riley Warren, Assumption 

“My kid.” — Asanti Wordlow, South Park TAPP

“I have my own 3-D printer and have been making face shields and donating them to frontline workers.” — Connor Strothman, St. Francis

“My parents and I started having little dance parties once a week. It’s really helpful and fun. Yesterday was ’60s night.” — Lorena Powell-Apestegui, Manual 

“My family. We’re all home, and that’s rare.” — Riley Brown, Jeffersonville 

“Daily walks at Cherokee Park — rain, snow, sleet or hail. Am I sometimes chilled to the bone? Yes. Have I communed with every fluffy dog in a five-mile radius? Also yes.” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart 

What person (living or historical) would be on your dream Zoom call?

Most common answer: Barack or Michelle Obama. 

Other responses: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez (“’Cause I want them back together” — Erin Melton, Assumption), Alexander the Great, Mahershala Ali, Jane Austen, Cardi B., Carole Baskin’s husband from Tiger King, Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown (“So I can ask what in the heck he is doing” — Jacob Spanyer, Atherton), Big Ed from 90 Day Fiancé, Andy Beshear, influencer Indy Blue, Tim Burton, Naomi Campbell, Steve Carell, Mariah Carey, Agatha Christie, Cleopatra, Cookie Monster, Kurt Cobain, Marie Curie, Matt Damon, Doja Cat, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Guy Fieri, Anne Frank, Ben Franklin, Gandhi, Greta Gerwig, Mark Hamill, Alexander Hamilton, Audrey Hepburn, Whitney Houston, Samuel L. Jackson, Kris Jenner, Jesus, Derek Jeter, Angelina Jolie, Mindy Kaling, Kim Kardashian, Toby Keith, Martin Luther King Jr., Keira Knightley, Brad Leone from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen, John Krasinski, Adam Levine, Abe Lincoln, Malcolm X, Karl Marx, Paul McCartney, Shawn Mendes, Freddie Mercury, Marilyn Monroe, John Mulaney, Elon Musk, Trevor Noah, Frank Ocean, Sandra Oh, Nancy Pelosi, Rick Pitino, Queen Elizabeth I, RBG, Ronald Reagan, Keanu Reeves, Rihanna, Joe Rogan, Bob Ross, Babe Ruth, Claire Saffitz from the Bon Appétit Test Kitchen, Will Smith, Snoop Dogg, Taylor Swift, Chrissy Teigen, Trippie Redd, Mike Trout, Harriet Tubman, Donald Trump, Tupac, Vincent van Gogh, George Washington, journalists Clarissa Ward and Bob Woodward, Rainn Wilson, Victoria Woodhull (“She was the first woman to run for president in 1872 and we share a birthday” — Ysa Leon, Manual), Mark Zuckerberg (“Because he is sassy” — Isel Spears, South Oldham).

“Ian Fleming. I have been obsessed with James Bond books during quarantine and am currently reading all of the novels and short stories in order.” — Cora Martin, Kentucky Country Day 

“My TARC bus driver, George, because I really want to check up on him and make sure he’s OK. He’s honestly the nicest person ever. One time I accidentally lost my TARC card on his bus, and he carried it around for a week until I took his bus again and he could give it back to me. Shakespeare, so I can ask him about some of his works — specifically whom the ‘Fair Youth’ sonnets were written for and whether my theory of why sonnet 126’s two last lines are blank is correct. My third invitee would probably be John Oliver because I love Last Week Tonight and find him hilarious. I think each invitee would be very confused by being put in the same group with the other two. I would find that very amusing.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“I choose my grandma who died when I was in elementary school. I’m sad that she didn’t get to see me do any of the big milestones that come with growing up and becoming a baby adult. She’s the only person I would pick.” — Elena Jolly, Manual 

“Alabama football coach Bear Bryant, one of the best of all time. YouTuber David Dobrik, who’s incredibly rich yet cares so deeply about others. He might give me a car. And Nikki Sixx, co-founder of my favorite band, Mötley Crüe. The man died and came back to life. That’s awesome.” — Gabriel Marks, DeSales 

“Vin Diesel, my grandparents and God.” — Cheridan Sanders, Silver Creek (Sellersburg)

“Marcus Luttrell, Chris Kyle and Dan Holloway. Marcus and Chris are military legends, and Dan is on his way to becoming his own legend.” — Chris Sapp, Jeffersontown 

“Harry Styles, John B. from Outer Banks and my mom. The first two because they’re pretty hot, and my mom because she deserves to see them too.” — Camberlin Reynolds, New Albany 

“Beyoncé, my dad because the connection in Liberia is terrible and I’ve never truly met him, and my little brother in Liberia because I’ve never met him.” — Augustina Tugbe, Ballard 

“Shaun King, Thurgood Marshall and Jason Y. Lee. King works tirelessly to raise awareness about unlawful harm done to people in the Black community. As a future lawyer, I would like to know what kept Thurgood Marshall driven in tough times. Jason Y. Lee is the CEO of Jubilee, which produces insightful and inspirational content for people of all races, religions and genders. Jubilee shows me that there are still some good people in the world.” — Sydney Johnson, Brown 

“bell hooks has found the keys to unlock many doors that I don’t even know exist. She’s so educated and knowledgeable, highlighting many flaws in society when she speaks about social, economic and racial imperfections, based on both fact and personal experiences.” — Shyne Hall, Southern

If you could get on a plane right now, where would you go?

Some of the spring and summer trips canceled due to COVID-19: Alaska, Amsterdam, Arizona, the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Cancún, Cuba, Disney Land, Disney World, Egypt, Greece, Gulf Shores, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, London, Paris, Prague, Punta Cana, the Rocky Mountains, San Antonio, Seattle, Spain, Switzerland, Utah, the Virgin Islands.

“I would go to China. I think the coronavirus got me thinking even more about who I am, as well as my culture. I’m a Chinese immigrant who came over to the U.S. by being adopted by a loving family of Americans. I have never been able to fully understand my own background and heritage, which is something I would really love to do.” — Lian McKernan, Manual

“Since I’m attending Sullivan University for culinary science, I’d love to go on a European food tour.” — Lily Habich, St. Francis

“Well, assuming COVID-19 didn’t exist, I would go to Harajuku in Japan. They have so many alternative thrift stores and I’ve dreamed of winning the lottery just so I can blow all of the money at a Japanese thrift store.” — Chloé Hill, Manual 

“Amsterdam. My friend Kika, a Dutch exchange student, had to go home early because of the pandemic. My friends and I were supposed to visit her this summer but no longer are able.” — Lilly Doninger, Collegiate

“Black Mountain, North Carolina. I have a political debate conference there every year that was moved online this year, but that place is really special to me. I would love to experience it as close to the way I was going to as I can.” — Simon Turner, Atherton 

“I would go to New York and volunteer in hospitals because they’ve needed it so much.” — Mihi Shah, Eastern 

“New York. I’d like to see the city that never sleeps, well, asleep.” — Madison Conway, Jeffersonville 

“I would go see my dad in Washington. I haven’t seen him since Christmas, and I don’t know when I will again due to the coronavirus.” — Leigh Henry, Brown 

“I would book a flight to visit my grandma, whom I haven’t seen in over six years. She was supposed to come for my graduation but couldn’t because of the coronavirus. This summer, I plan to write my grandma’s biography.” — Andrea Licona Leiva, Southern 

“Honestly, all I want right now is to go down the street and hug my best friend. I have a lowered immune system, and therefore cannot risk any exposure of any kind right now. This is the longest we’ve been apart since elementary school, and being so close, yet so far, has really sucked.” — Sophie Weber, Jeffersonville

“This is a picture of part of an outfit I created for the KMAC Museum’s 2020 KMAC Couture fashion show. I was supposed to walk in the show in this garment just a few weeks after the pandemic started, but of course the event was canceled. Luckily, I will get to walk in next year’s show instead. I hand-sewed hundreds of gumballs onto the top to fit the event’s signature of creating wearable art out of unique materials.” — Maddie Mattheu, Manual

Has Covid-19 affected somebody close to you?

“My mom, brother-in-law and sister-in-law are healthcare heroes, and the pandemic hit home when the hospitals started running out of PPE. Knowing they have to continuously go to work while treating COVID-19 patients scares me. I couldn’t imagine losing any of them. My mom has cried a lot and, as a family, we are always trying to support her. So many people don’t seem to care about the virus or say they didn’t sign up for this, and that infuriates me because, yes, my mom and family signed up to help anyone in need, but they didn’t sign up to die due to lack of supplies or due to the common sense the public has lost. It hasn’t been easy seeing friends hanging out with no social distancing. The pandemic is not a joke, and no one deserves to be sacrificed.” — Lian McKernan, Manual 

“My mom, Stephanie Tarter, is a registered nurse at Baptist, and I pray for her every time she goes to work.” — Madison Tarter, Eastern 

“My parents are both doctors, and the stress they have felt at work for the past three months has been terrible. They wear full PPE and have to come home and strip their clothes and then immediately shower. My dad has been sleeping in the basement because he is afraid of exposing our family.” — Elana Berger, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“My uncle passed from COVID-19. We couldn’t have the funeral, big party or huge family dinner at some restaurant like we usually do.” — Ariail, Eastern

“My grandmother’s cousin died of the coronavirus. Hearing her cry over the phone was heartbreaking.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“I have a friend whose dad is currently in the hospital and not doing very well. I’m giving him as much support as I can. I wish I could do more. My dad died more than a decade ago, and I don’t want my friend to have to go through that pain. I wish I could give him a hug.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard 

“The doctors thought my father had COVID, so he had to pass alone because they didn’t want to risk anyone being in there and getting sick. This was a week into quarantine, and I couldn’t be with him in the room, nor could anyone else.” — Heather Carter, Silver Creek (Sellersburg)

“My grandparents have been very lucky, as they both went home safe after contracting the virus. But I’ll never forget the story my grandfather told about receiving the news he was going home. The doctor told my grandfather to look out the window and asked, ‘What’s that right there?’ My grandfather said, ‘A tree?’ The doctor: ‘Correct. Most of the patients lying in that bed you’re in don’t get to see one again. Consider yourself lucky.’” — Sam Adams, Manual 

“I actually was part of an unofficial knitting club that would go to Treyton Oak Towers after school every Tuesday. One week while listening to Gov. Beshear, he started mentioning Treyton Oak Towers and it was really scary to hear that and not be able to know who was affected.” — Lauren Weaver, Manual 

“One of the residents at the retirement home where I work ended up getting the virus after multiple times falling and going to the hospital. She died from it without her family by her side. It breaks my heart because she was the nicest woman I have ever met, and I miss her every single day. I had a balloon ceremony with her family after she, and another resident close to her, passed away. We wanted to celebrate their lives until a funeral is able to happen.” — Madelyn Gamertsfelder, Manual

In what new ways have you stayed connected with friends?

“Gathering at a park and sitting in our car trunks six feet apart.” — Erin Melton, Assumption 

“We mostly still do Instagram calls, but we have also decided to act on our nostalgia and play Minecraft together.” — Savannah Partin, Butler 

“Texting, FaceTime, Snapchat — everything possible. My boyfriend of two years recently swore into the Army and will be leaving for nine months in July. It’s hard not actually being with one another.” — Riley Brown, Jeffersonville 

“Online Uno matches.” — Miranda Hahn, Bullitt East

“A few of my friends and I decided to throw it back to the early 2000s and email each other instead of text or Snapchat. What can I say? Old souls.” — Willow Harpole, Ballard 

“We drop sweet treats off in each other’s mailboxes with a little note.” — Laura Hood, Assumption 

“I still hang out with them in person because the mortality rate for our age group is ridiculously low.” — J.D. McKay, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“Playing Monopoly online.” — Isaiah Hardee, Ballard 

“Parking lot parties! We set up chairs and towels in a big, far-apart circle and will talk for hours.” — Susannah Sowell, Oldham County 

“As odd as it sounds, my friends and I never called on the phone before all this. Everything was texts and group chats, and now, picking up the phone and just checking in and hearing their voices feels so much more fulfilling.” — Jackson Hall, Brown 

“This is me as Donna in Mamma Mia at YPAS, and this was probably the happiest I have ever been. This is the closing number, and we are getting the audience up and dancing with us. Just amazing.” — Rylee Taylor, Manual

What’s something you’ve seen on social media lately that’s worth sharing?

“The local support from our community. We see ladies making masks and just giving them away to essential workers. I’ve seen businesses honoring essential workers with either a free meal or a discount. I’ve seen families come together and actually spend time outside. The sidewalks are covered in chalk and you see families taking their kids on walks and riding bikes and spending quality time together.” — Riley Brown, Jeffersonville 

“Mark Kanemura’s Instagram Live workouts! He is one of my favorite choreographers. He does a livestream workout every day where he motivates you to stay positive through this hard time. He also cracks many jokes and does a long workout while wearing a sparkly, colorful pair of booty shorts. At the end, he puts on a wig and dances around with confetti. It is truly my favorite thing ever. Usually, I dance so much at school and the studio that when I get home I don’t really feel like dancing or working out on my own. I’ve felt productive doing things I’ve always meant to, like learning to cook and sew.” — Katie Dougherty, Manual

“The Office cast reunited on Zoom to re-create their dances from Pam and Jim’s wedding.” — Isel Spears, South Oldham 

“The efforts of my peer Mia Mercer, who started an initiative at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in which she sews, markets and sells masks via Instagram (@guardianonthego) and donates all profits to hospitals, the Louisville community and COVID-19 research.” — Madeline (Maddie) Stokes, Sacred Heart 

“Breonna Taylor. She deserves justice. As a community, Louisville should be pissed. Say her name. Share her story. Hold people accountable.” — Lexie Overstreet, Male 

“The College Board had a bunch of fake test answers floating around the internet to catch people cheating on AP exams.” — Logan Carter, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“I saw some people supporting crisis lines. I know that a lot of people are dealing with depression and anxiety right now, even people who might not have been previously diagnosed, so it’s important to share resources like that. It’s never wrong or bad to reach out.” — Fiona Grannan, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“I saw someone post about a man whose dad walked out on him when he was 12, and so now he has a YouTube channel called ‘Dad, How Do I?’ He shows other kids who have lost their dads how to do everyday tasks.” — Olivia Snodgrass, Mercy

“You can have a chocolate mold of your butthole made for a loved one.” — Brady Dixon, Eastern 

“There was a women’s soccer game and one of the players was wearing a hijab and she knocked into another player to kick the ball and the hijab slipped off. When she collapsed to the ground to fix it, the players from the opposing team surrounded her to help hide her hair and to help her put it back on. I thought that showed that we should still have a little faith in humanity.” — Aly Porter, Moore 

What’s one thing you would’ve done differently had you known it was going to be your last day of high school in March?

“Had everyone sign one of my billions of notebooks because now they won’t be able to sign my yearbook.” — Skylar Clemons, Ballard 

“I wish I would’ve really taken in every baseball practice.” — David Reeves, Atherton 

“Stopped joking about it being the last day. At that point, we all thought it was silly and that we would for sure see each other again. I would’ve thanked my teachers and let them know how much they’ve inspired me.” — Mary Klarer Fultz, Sacred Heart

“I would have walked out of the building with more intentionality. I would have taken the time to wave to my teachers, to look at the halls as I walked through them and to reflect on my last day. In short, I would have slowed myself — and my exit from high school — down, and I would have given myself the time to say goodbye.” — Madeline (Maddie) Stokes, Sacred Heart

“Took a good last look at the halls and classrooms I spent so much time in, and said a real goodbye to some very special and amazing teachers.” — Rachael Steele, Male 

“I would have told my friends that I loved them. I wouldn’t have been as flippant about exiting the school as a student for the last time. I would have grabbed my sheet music from the band room and erased all of the drawings and weird notes I had written all over it. Sorry, Mr. Kling. I swear my writing ‘chicken noiselessly noodle noodle noodle’ on my copy of ‘Homage to Bharat’ has an explanation.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard

“I would’ve dressed nicer, thanked every one of my teachers and stayed as long as possible. High school was crazy for me, but I honestly feel like who I am today is because of students and teachers in that building.” — Shyne Hall, Southern 

“Not stayed home because of a headache.” — Nicole Shariatmadari, Assumption 

“I would’ve taken thousands of pictures.” — Saylor Federspiel, Mercy 

“I would have hugged every single person and had more meaningful conversations. And then I would have cried.” — Megan Wood, Portland Christian

What did you miss about school during quarantine?

“I have a really hard time picking out outfits every day. I’m used to always wearing a uniform.” — Megan Osting, Sacred Heart 

“There are little quiet spots in the school that not many people know about, where you can do homework and just feel safe and at home. I miss my quiet little spots a lot, probably more than I’ve ever missed my bed.” — Lorena Powell-Apestegui, Manual 

“The welding shop.” — Collin Allgeier, Jeffersontown

“The chairs were good for back-popping.” — Damica Marshall, Jeffersonville 

“I miss the little traditions we made together, like meeting up in a specific spot every morning where at least one of us would be doing homework due in 10 minutes, another one would be asleep on someone’s lap and the rest would be having ridiculous conversations. Also, the inside jokes I made with my counselor. In her eyes, I will forever be the student with way too many raccoon stories.” — Maura Maguire, Presentation 

“See, there are these things called chicken fritters. They are better than heavenly manna in a barren desert. I miss these chicken fritters so much. Also, back in the days of my youth — four months ago — I could eat lunch at a table of people I did not live with. Simpler times.” — Holly Kissel, Presentation 

“My friends. Testosterone is starting to make my voice crack and there’s nobody here to make fun of me for it.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard 

“My school was small enough that you knew everyone. It was like a giant family. I miss my family.” — Megan Wood, Portland Christian 

“Sitting at a school desk.” — Gabrielle Ward, Jeffersonville 

“Taking a really good nap after a long day at school.” — Maddie Currie, Manual

“After senior night. I can’t wait to be able to hang out with friends again.” — Cameron Waddle, Bullitt East

“Performing with the school band.” — Samuel Johnson, Bullitt East

What sounds have you missed?

“The CBS March Madness music.” — Gabriel Marks, DeSales 

“A baseball hitting a bat. Cleats in the grass. When the CDC advised against groups of more than 10 gathering until May 10 I realized that my season and graduation would get canceled. That was when the scope of things really set in.” — Will Kempf, Trinity 

“My Tame Impala ‘The Less I Know the Better’ alarm. It woke me up every day for school… kinda.” — Aly Porter, Moore 

“Girls randomly complementing each other in the school bathroom.” — Elise Williamson, Manual 

“I had been doing musical rehearsals every day after school preparing for our spring show of Spamalot. I miss hearing all of our voices fill the room.” — Tori Minteer, Ballard 

“The idle chatter that fills a classroom when a teacher leaves to make copies.” — Fiona Grannan, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“A classmate sneezing and you knowing precisely who it was without turning around.” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart 

“The roars of the big cats I worked with through my volunteerism at the zoo. My position for spring and summer was canceled.” — Jasmine Skye Benningfield, Shelby County 

“The assistant principal yelling at me to take off my headphones in the hallway.” — Sareth Lozoya Melendez, Atherton 

“The sound of the school bell. I feel like I’ve almost forgotten what it sounds like.” — Olivia Snodgrass, Mercy

In one word, what’s your biggest hope right now?

In one word, what’s your biggest fear right now?

Prom thoughts?

“I had an entire outfit planned. Not only my dress but a necklace, a shawl, my shoes, a flower crown — it was Enchanted Forest-themed — and every detail of my makeup. I even was looking into getting custom corsages for me and my date, who used to go to my school and had emotionally and verbally supported me during a really tough time that happened right before quarantine began.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“I’ve been to prom twice before, both times with boys. It wasn’t because I wasn’t out as a lesbian; they were just both close friends who I was excited to hang out with. This year, though, I finally have a girlfriend, and I was so excited to be able to wear a suit and dance with her, hopefully to Lizzo. I thought I might finally get to live out a teen romcom moment, one that I rarely get to see onscreen between two women.” — Laine Hirn, Manual 

“This was going to be the first prom I went to on testosterone, and I was really excited about that and about taking photos in clothes that make me feel comfortable. Prom is a time when people can express themselves, dress up in ridiculously formal clothing, take pictures. I had a really cool outfit planned: tux top, skirt on the bottom.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard 

“It was heartbreaking that I wasn’t able to dance with my high school sweetheart one last time before he shipped off for the military.” — Sarah Berna, Silver Creek (Sellersburg) 

“This reminds me of when I could hang out with all my friends.” — Avery Bisig, North Oldham

“The scale of the pandemic hit me when I was sitting in bed watching The Office on what should have been prom night.” — Joey Keal, St. Xavier 

“I bought my dress a few weeks before we went into quarantine. I thought about returning it when everything got more serious, but I decided to keep it. I was bummed that it was canceled, but my family planned a surprise prom. I walked into the family room and there were balloons and decorations everywhere.” — Tori Minteer, Ballard 

“I actually missed our winter dance as well because I had the flu. So now I have two dresses hanging in my closet.” — Chloe Walrad, Highlands Latin 

“It’s a tradition in my family and community to make a prom dress senior year out of our cultural attire. I’m sad I never get the chance to do that.” — Nkechinyere Angel Okorie, Ballard 

“‘Don’t Stop Believing’ has been the song that gets my friends and me to flock to the dance floor to belt out the lyrics. This song always defines our homecomings and proms. I was looking forward to doing one last ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ riff on the air guitar.” — Caroline Sowell, Oldham County 

“I plan on going out with my boyfriend when places open back up. We’ll have our own little prom — dinner and dancing in the park, maybe ice cream at Graeter’s. We’re both pretty introverted, so it doesn’t need to be big or have everyone around for us to really feel the experience.” — Mekayla Curtis, Valor Academy

“Here is my best friend, Riley Brown, and me at our senior dinner dance last November. It is a dance just for the seniors and their dates, and something the class of 2020 didn’t miss out on, unlike our senior prom.” — Blake Schremp, Jeffersonville

If you could pick anybody (living or historical), who would have given your high school graduation speech?

Most popular answer: Barack or Michelle Obama (“I feel like much of my class saw them as parental figures because Obama was in office for most of our time in school” — Maddie Mattheu, Manual), followed by Morgan Freeman (“When he talks people are more interested” — Hannah Cole, Community Montessori), Zac Efron (“Because he gave the speech in High School Musical 3” — Sydney Richardson, Eastern) and Elon Musk (“He thinks about the future” — Malka Churchill, South Oldham).

Other names: Andy Beshear, Brené Brown, Nick Cannon, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, Malcolm Gladwell, Tom Hanks, Kevin Hart, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Jordan, Martin Luther King Jr., John Krasinski, Jennifer Lawrence, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Mulaney, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mike Pence, Megan Rapinoe, Fred Rogers, Teddy Roosevelt, Adam Sandler, Travis Scott, Greta Thunberg, Bryson Tiller, Alex Trebek, Donald Trump, Lindsey Vonn, Denzel Washington, Kanye West.

“Lady Gaga is the definition of what Walden stands for, and is one to the biggest allies for the LGBTQIAAP+ community.” — Sam Krimple, Walden 

“Billie Eilish is an overall sweet human who understands our society and is our age. She speaks her mind and would be comical but also relatable.” — Michaela Campbell, Floyd County (Floyds Knobs)

“The Rock inspires me.” — Joey Keal, St. Xavier 

“Arnold Schwarzenegger. No one is cooler than Arnold.” — Benjamin Kostic, Louisville Classical 

“Danny DeVito because I’d love to see what comes out of that.” — Shannon Bradley, Manual 

“Someone unexpected. I want to hear a different perspective than what the general population says. Maybe an introvert who wasn’t friends with every single person, or someone who was really quiet throughout high school. Their perspectives are usually enlightening because they observe so fluently.” — Willow Harpole, Ballard 

“Abraham Lincoln because the ‘Gettysburg Address’ hit so different.” — Sareth Lozoya Melendez, Atherton 

“Malcolm X would tell us to be strong and don’t let this thing beat us.” — Micah Pryde, Jeffersontown

“Malala Yousafzai. Not only was I Am Malala the summer reading assignment for my classmates and I before our freshman year, but I also like to think that, of anyone, Malala knows what it feels like to have your educational plans derailed by circumstances beyond your control. She is the embodiment of resilience, advocacy and female empowerment.” — Madeline (Maddie) Stokes, Sacred Heart 

“Optimus Prime. He’d know what to say.” — Deja Andrews, Seneca

What do you wish adults would ask you more often?

“I had an entire outfit planned. Not only my dress but a necklace, a shawl, my shoes, a flower crown — it was Enchanted Forest-themed — and every detail of my makeup. I even was looking into getting custom corsages for me and my date, who used to go to my school and had emotionally and verbally supported me during a really tough time that happened right before quarantine began.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“My pronouns.” — Sam Krimple, Walden

“‘Do you want a hug?’ I could use one but it’s hard to ask for it.” — Laine Hirn, Manual 

“‘Are you OK?’ A lot of kids are struggling internally, and all of this isolation just amplifies that. Ask your child, brother, sister, cousin, niece, nephew or friend if they’re doing OK. It might just change their whole life.” — Cole Mathesius, Jeffersontown 

“Do you want to play some Chutes and Ladders?” — Cole Gentry, Collegiate

“‘Would you like some money? Do you want to use my car?’” — Angel Davie, Ballard 

“What has living through a recession and global pandemic taught you about compassion and the importance of social programs?” — Lexie Overstreet, Male

“For my opinion. I feel like people still treat me and my views like I’m a child, when I actually know what I’m talking about.” — Cat Monin, Atherton 

“Literally any question that shows I am an equal now, not a child.” — Logan Carter, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“In general, I wish everyone would ask questions like little kids do. The older we get, the more boring our questions become: How’s the job? What do you do? How’s the family? Where did the What’s your favorite color/food/smell/sea animal/dinosaur? questions go? For the record, my answers are lavender, cookies ’n’ cream ice cream, fresh cut grass with a hint of bonfire, penguins and stegosaurus.” — Caroline Sowell, Oldham County 

“Would you like to go on a walk with me?” — Kennet Clark, Ballard 

What silver lining have you found during quarantine?

“I had an entire outfit planned. Not only my dress but a necklace, a shawl, my shoes, a flower crown — it was Enchanted Forest-themed — and every detail of my makeup. I even was looking into getting custom corsages for me and my date, who used to go to my school and had emotionally and verbally supported me during a really tough time that happened right before quarantine began.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“I’ve had more time to talk with my parents about things other than school or sports.” — Kaitlynn Bailey, Assumption 

“My junior year of high school, I was rushing to my bus stop full on crying because I was so stressed out by my schoolwork, extracurricular activities, AP Exams, the ACT and my job. I remember thinking to myself, ‘I want everything to just stop for one moment so I can breathe and just read a book for my own enjoyment and eat grapes.’ Got what I wished for, huh?” — Angelina Atieh, Manual 

“Dairy Queen still sells ice cream cakes even when they’re drive-thru only.” — Savannah Partin, Butler 

“I’m grateful to have a roof over my head and a family I feel safe with. I’ve come to enjoy the little things more, like family dinners, and I know that I’ll be so much more appreciative of every moment I spend with my friends as soon as this pandemic is over.” — Caroline Youdes, Manual 

“Being able to spend so much time with my mom has been a blessing. We are both usually so busy with different schedules, so it feels better to be going off to college after spending all this time together. I am so grateful for everything she has done for me, and for all of her support in this crazy time.” — Tori Minteer, Ballard 

“I don’t have to wake up early for school ever again.” — Jade Sodan, Atherton 

“Sleeping late, driving less, cooking more.” — Graham Waggener, Martha Layne Collins (Shelbyville) 

“More bike rides.” — Holly O’Donald, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“I can say that my senior year was cut short because of a global pandemic, which not everyone gets to say. Also, this all will end. Whether it’s tomorrow, next week or in a few months, it will end.” — Sarah Lundy, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“As Ferris Bueller so wisely said: ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could
miss it.’” — Nell Rydzewski, Sacred Heart

“It’s a screenshot from a video my friends and I made during spirit week back in October. The theme was bikers vs. surfers. We were having fun and enjoying life.” — Aanika Garre, Manual

What’s one thing this pandemic can’t change?

“The fact that, once this is over, grocery workers will go back to being bottom of the barrel. They deserve a lot more recognition. We shouldn’t need a pandemic to show others that these essential workers are important. They’ve always been important, but a lot of rich/middle-class people look down on them.” — Lily Habich, St. Francis

“Humanity’s extraordinary capacity to ignore medical advice, apparently.” — Simon Turner, Atherton 

“The sun will always rise and fall, the earth will spin on its axis, and I will continue to order takeout.” — Savannah Partin, Butler 

“People being there for each other. Almost everyone in my family drove by our place on my brother’s birthday to honk and hold signs out the window. People show out for others who matter to them. That won’t change.” — Sam Adams, Manual 

“That we will always find a way to meet people even when we shouldn’t.” — Hannah Cole, Community Montessori

“The bond I have with my friends is everlasting despite distance and how many screens we have to use.” — Victoria Carroll, Bullitt East/Riverview Opportunity Center/JCTC

“Political polarization.” — Sydney Johnson, Brown

“Racism.” — Malka Churchill, South Oldham 

“Hopefully my 2021.” — Abby Hart, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“There’s always more dishes to wash in the sink.” — Andrea Licona Leiva, Southern

“Assumption softball has given me the best family and four years I could’ve asked for.” — Kaitlynn Bailey, Assumption

What “senior superlative” would you have given yourself? Most likely to _________.

“Start an off-grid home. Because of my love for mother Gaia.” — Hunter Ryan, Bullitt East

“Leave my hometown and never come back. Don’t get me wrong, I love Louisville and could not imagine growing up anywhere else. But I want a change of scenery or maybe a change in continent. I’ll come back to visit.” — Lexie Overstreet, Male 

“Be verified on Twitter. I’m interested in doing politics after I serve in the military.” — J.D. McKay, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“Be on crutches, ’cause I’m a gymnast and I had crutches three times senior year and at least once all other years of high school.” — Maddie Caudill, Ballard 

“Know every word to every song played.” — Taylor Goode, Collegiate

“Be president. That’s what my class voted me. We’ll see about that in the polls.” — Ryane Jones, Sacred Heart 

“Become an NFL football player and a business owner. I’ll be working toward this goal by going to UK and playing football.” — Izayah Jason Cummings, Male 

“Become a pilot.” — Grayson Ward, Martha Layne Collins (Shelbyville) 

“Fake my death. I, of course, would tell my mom to save her from having a heart attack, but I am known for doing crazy, random things, and the reaction I would get when I walked into my ‘funeral’ would be a sight to see.” — Malka Churchill, South Oldham 

“Be rich. Can’t explain it, but I know I’m gonna be rich.” — Sareth Lozoya Melendez, Atherton 

What’s your favorite memory from senior year?

“Jan. 17, when my friends and I adopted the phrase, ‘Boys, it’s gonna be a good day.’ We used to say that all the time before COVID.” — Jackson Hall, Brown

“Teaching teachers TikTok.” — Saeedatu Nasara Shamsudeen, Central 

“It’s definitely the day I got my first college acceptance letter. It was a Friday afternoon in mid-January, and I was coming home from school to get ready for work when I saw a thick envelope with college letterhead on my kitchen counter. Without touching the packet, I immediately began sobbing and called my mom to tell her that I had gotten into one of my dream schools. Although the tears confused her, she was just as excited as I was.”
— Madeline (Maddie) Stokes, Sacred Heart 

“Getting honored All District and All Regional for both basketball and volleyball, both of which I plan to play
in college.” — Mariah Jones, Pleasure Ridge Park

“Listening to ‘Tongue Tied’ by Grouplove while driving down the road in the summer heat at 4 a.m. with friends.” — Connor Bickel, Floyd Central (Floyds Knobs) 

“Scoring the game-winning touchdown in double overtime against Trinity.” — Izayah Jason Cummings, Male 

“Our class chanting ‘Seniors!’ as we walked toward the large gym to make our entrance during the pep rally for the homecoming football game.”
— Andrea Licona Leiva, Southern 

“My rap group.” — Le’Airion Rice, Doss 

“For a musical concert in the fall I organized a small funk trio to play Vulfpeck’s ‘It Gets Funkier’ for the entire school.” — Ford Middendorf, St. Francis

“When I took my final bow as the lead in the school musical.” — Alex Rapp, Mercy 

“This is a picture from Karneval celebrations in Bonn, Germany. It reminds me not only of huge parades but also when I could travel. I miss my friends there.” — Sam Adams, Manual

What was the best thing about high school?

“JROTC camping trips. And having the same lit people in my classes that I’ve gone to school with since Hite Elementary.” — Madison Tarter, Eastern 

“EVERYTHING. I’m not joking: sisters, teachers, classes, homerooms, family Olympics, family council, cookie decorating, media center, the ‘nice’ water fountains and bathrooms, pep rallies, comfy couches, choir room singing, Iggy the iguana (rest in peace), the main entrance, my parking spot, Bardstown Road, Tyler Lane, the green, track, carpools, block scheduling, Christmas karaoke, Halloween dress-up, intramural softball, senior privileges, eating in the courtyard, uniforms, senior sweatshirts….” — Riley Warren, Assumption

“Laughing with the bros.” — David (Red) Young, Ballard 

“Getting to intern at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital. I was able to scrub in on surgeries in the operating room every week for three years.”
— Peyton Stanley, Community Montessori

“Playing basketball and accomplishing back-to-back 20-win seasons. Plus, winning the Danville Christian Tournament senior year.” — Jordan Flaspoehler, Walden 

“Leaving.” — Zachary Abbe, Shawnee 

“The lunch.” — Stephen Todd, Minor Daniels Academy

“Growth. I received a letter I wrote at the end of my freshman year today, and the girl who wrote it held so much hatred for herself. I’m in a much better place now than I was at the beginning of high school, and I am genuinely excited for the future.” — Laine Hirn, Manual

“The person who entered as a freshman is not the same person who is exiting as a senior. High school was hard, but I seemed to always find light through every situation. I allowed my situations to mold me, rather than break me.” — Audrey Meulee, Central 

“I never thought I was sentimental until I made an impulsive video edit of my high school years. My favorite tradition was Red-White Week, aka Male-Manual Week.” — Casey Weaver, Manual

What are your plans for after high school?

Rana Alsoufi, a KCD graduate enrolled at UK, shared the same sentiment as so many others in the class of 2020: “We’re supposed to go to campus in the fall as planned, but that may be subject to change.” Or as Assumption grad Riley Warren put it: “As of right now, Miss ’Rona has not affected my college plans. But she needs to hear it loud and clear: I have been looking forward to college for as long as I can remember and you will not take this away from me.” Will Kempf, a graduate of Trinity who plans to play baseball at Centre College and major in psychology, says, “I think it’s inevitable that when school returns it won’t be normal.”

Here’s where some of the seniors who participated in this interview are going to college:

Alabama A&M University, American University, Asbury University, Ball State University, Bellarmine University, Berea College, Butler University, Campbellsville University, Carthage College, Cedarville University, Centre College, Columbia College Chicago, Columbia University, Culinary Institute of America, Duke University, Eastern Kentucky University, Fisk University, Franklin College, Georgetown University, Hanover College, Howard University, Indiana University, IUPUI, Ivy Tech, La Salle University, Lincoln Memorial University, Lindsey Wilson College, Logan University, Marian University, MedQuest College, Mercyhurst University, Miami University (Ohio), Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Northwest Florida State College, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Penn State University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University, Tennessee State University, Thomas More University, Transylvania University, Trinity College, United States Military Academy at West Point, United States Naval Academy, University of Alabama, University of Chicago, University of Cincinnati, University of the Cumberlands, University of Georgia, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Michigan, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, University of Richmond, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, University of Virginia, Vincennes University, Wake Forest University, Western Kentucky University, Wheaton College, Xavier University, Yale University

Here’s how 10 graduates answered the question:

“Become an electrician.” — Barrett Hall, North Bullitt

“As of this writing, I haven’t officially confirmed, but I think I’ll be attending Ball State, then moving to New York after college. My original plan was to attend Fordham in New York, but, with COVID-19, income is kinda shaky and my parents are worried because New York has been an epicenter for the virus. I think my path will be more beneficial to me and my family in the long run.” — Cathy Lau, Manual 

“Be an influencer.” — Phillip Cherry, Phoenix School of Discovery

“Continue my job at State Farm, go to online school, buy a house, get a puppy.” — Joclyn Ragland, Crawford County (Marengo)

“Doing hair.” — Nevaeh Anderson, Shawnee 

“Attend UK — no matter how much it bothers my parents, who are die-hard U of L fans.” — Alaina Pignato, Ballard 

“Working at UPS and working on becoming a successful YouTuber and musician.” — Breyden Templeton, North Bullitt 

“Get a job, save money, build an earthship.” — Hunter Ryan, Bullitt East

“I will work through the summer and attend JCTC. When I am 18, I will work for Ford.” — Stephen Todd, Minor Daniels 

“Just vibe.” — Amiya Carney, Manual 

Anything else you wanna say?

“Corona can kiss my class (of 2020).” — Riley Brown, Jeffersonville 

“I love the Louisville that is open and accepting and weird and diverse. I love how you can be in the heart of downtown in one moment and then driving down a tree-shaded lane the next. Although the city is small, it still has so many faces. What I would like to see change is how segregated and distanced our communities are. If you can’t drive or if you stick to one community, it’s difficult to see and meet the rest of the city. By offering better transportation, Louisville could go from being segregated to hopefully integrated.” — Ford Middendorf, St. Francis

“Since you’ve given me a soapbox: I got a 36 on the ACT October of my junior year, and I think standardized testing is a waste of time and a horrid indicator of how successful someone will be in college and their intelligence in general, and the fact that so many colleges simply dropped their testing requirements because of the lockdown proves they don’t even need the scores. Also, sensory-friendly performances are important and should be much more common than they are.” — Natalie Paige Ambrosino, Assumption 

“To all of the people currently housed with unsupportive and/or abusive families: You are not alone in this. It’s hard, I know it’s hard, but you will make it through this. Reach out to a friend, or a hotline. Stay safe <3. On a lighter note: Hi, Mrs. Gebben. You said that if any of us got interviewed then we should name-drop you. So here I am, dropping your name.” — Dylan Mears, Ballard 

“Don’t take high school for granted. Go to that game, take that class. Because before you know it, it will be over.” — Molly Hill, Bullitt East

“Congratulations to all 2020 seniors who worked so hard to make it this far in life. If no one else believes in you, I do! You are amazing and are capable of incredible things. Keep your head up and live your life.” — Kennedy Alexander, Ballard 

“Never backward, always forward.” — Tierra Jones, Liberty 

“Dick Cheney made money off the Iraq War.” — Maggie Gediman, Manual 

“I wish there were a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” — Clayten Bynum, DeSales 

“Class of 2020, out.” — Jordan Cunningham, Jeffersontown 

THANK YOU

to every single high school senior who answered these questions.