Honolulu’s Teenagers: Their Lives Are Defined By Resilience And Cautious Optimism … The pandemic and political upheaval of the past two years have changed Gen Z’s definitions of hope, fear and success.
Qing Chou’s 2020 was defined by loneliness, anxiety and deep sadness about current events and all the high school milestones she was missing. She hated virtual learning, had a hard time concentrating and would stay up late at night worrying about current events and her parents’ unemployment.
But on a recent video call she was brimming with excitement; eager to share her good news.
“I’m one of the valedictorians for my school, I’m going to college next year and I have a school dance next week,” she said. “I’m so excited because I haven’t seen my friends in so long … it’s going to be really amazing.”
