OPEN LETTER TO THE CLASS OF 2020

Congratulations Class Of 2020!
You aced your boards.

Exam are just a test to check if you have been able to understand what you have been learning. Its just early training to cope with life's challenges with a progressive attitude, taking every step you can to move forward, without paying heed to obstacles that hinder or fearing them.

Centuries ago, battles were fought with swords and shields. Today, battles are fought with knowledge, intelligence and degrees.
Congratulations on empowering yourself.

When this important year began, there is no way they could have foreseen such an anomaly event that would essentially hijack their final year experience.
The world is facing a crisis that will be written about in history books. Our lives have been disrupted, and a cloud of uncertainty looms over us all.

Over the past several weeks, I have spent a great deal of time considering what you must be going through as covid-19 has spread across the globe.
As if class 12 isn’t already stressful enough, now you have to learn remotely, grapple with a pandemic and worry about your basic health and safety. Some of you may be dealing with food and housing insecurity, and mental health and wellness issues; others are impacted by the corona virus directly as our country goes through a dangerous surge in cases. I hope you are managing and getting the support you need.

Uncertainty marks today, tomorrow, and the foreseeable future. But I encourage you to accept what you can’t change and try to focus on the things that you can.

Senior year at the high school levels is a special time. For high school students, farewell parties and graduation are not just random activities. They are defining moments of a generation. Throughout final year, the most important decision of your day shifts from what you eat for lunch to where do you want to grow and invest yourself after you graduate from high school!

Parents who were caretakers & providers, have also been thrust into the role of  teachers and para-professionals and are to be commended as well. None of this is optimal. There will be 'bumps & potholes in the road'. However, I am confident that we will all get through this together.

Take care of yourself. Do everything in your power to eat well, exercise, get the rest that you need and, of course, wash your hands and don’t touch your face.

Keep up with the passions that make you who you are. Look out for your friends and family. Nothing is more important than the people you care about. Try to support those who you are living with and be sure to reach out to friends and family who are remote.

While It’s easy to become isolated and focus on ourselves and our immediate surroundings. Don’t underestimate the positive impact that a phone call, a letter, or an email can have on the people you care most about. Do your best to focus on your education. I mean what I say: do the best that you can given the circumstances.

There is no 'perfect'! Your education should be driven by your passion and interests, not by what you think your parents, family, friends or colleges want.

If my years of teaching has taught me anything, it’s that people your age are resilient and innovative. Your generation can navigate multiple worlds and bounce between physical and digital spaces with ease. You are part of the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, and you embrace those differences in ways adults seem to struggle.

You courageously put yourselves out there for the world to see and criticize. You push boundaries and challenge norms. You find ingenious ways to compensate for any gaps you may have accrued without the help of educators! If there is any group that can plow through this pandemic  creative ways, it is your group.

There is no pandemic strong enough to silence you, your enthusiasm, your spirit  or dent the passion of your generation. Keep your head up and stay safe. India needs you because you provide hope for our future.

This year may not be what you envisioned, but i know you will make the best of it. And in that become a source of inspiration for your friends, your family & your tutors & educators like me, who are watching you grow with pride.

Stay blessed. Stay Safe.

CA Gokul Raj
Chief Mentor - KEW Academy