As we look to the new year, teens are hopeful. While it has been a very difficult year for many people both in health and finances, we are hopeful that we will be able to beat this virus and return to some normalcy. 

We, as teens, are just starting to shape our lives and make choices that will affect the direction of our path. This has been difficult in an uncertain world. Some of us have altered where we are applying to college because the pandemic has not allowed for travel. Some of us are exploring different industries because those we might have chosen have been substantially hurt economically.

Yet, during these uncertain times, teens are still optimistic. When I speak with my friends, I realize we are all still hopeful. We all still have dreams of what we will become. We are all still eager to forge our future as we look to brighter days.

So, here’s to 2021. Here’s to hope. Here’s to a healthier, more prosperous 2021 and here’s to hoping that we keep hoping, because without it we lose sight of our dreams and who we are meant to become.

Isabella Dussias is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter/composer from New Jersey. She enjoys writing about issues that are important to today’s youth, and she believes music is an important outlet to connect people and share messages through the creativity of lyric and melody. For more information, please visit IsabellaDussias.comIsabellaDussias.com.