While schools are closed and online learning isn’t happening statewide due to Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz’s executive order, Minnesota’s high schoolers are getting creative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have turned towards books, movies, and social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to stay busy. However, two Cannon Falls High School students, Kaitlin Wichser and Aizlynn Thim, have taken the unexpected time off as a chance to help others through their workplaces: Family Fare and Cannon Kids. Both locations here—and across the country—have become essential throughout the health crisis. Wichser and Thim’s story provide fresh insight, revealing high school employees value their jobs just as much as customers do in the midst of these unprecedented circumstances.

Wichser, a senior who is enrolled in Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), has devoted a majority of her time outside of class to jobs. For the past two and a half years, she has worked at Family Fare, a grocery store chain, in Cannon Falls and, most recently, in Northfield. Behind the checkout counter right now, Wichser maintains, “Everything is really hectic. People are going crazy trying to prepare. People are getting more annoyed when we don’t have something.” Yet the chaos hasn’t swayed the 18-year-old. Throughout the pandemic, she has maintained a weekly five day work schedule, which will supplement her college fund when she’s studying psychology at Winona State University next year. 

In contrast, Thim, a junior, is heavily involved within Cannon Falls’ schools via Soccer, Speech, The Lantern, GSA (Gender and Sexuality Alliance), and Prom Committee. Four months ago, she began working at Cannon Kids, a child care service run through the school. Since schools closed a little over a week ago, the 17-year-old has picked up a plethora of shifts to assist parents who are medical personnel or teachers in search of child care. Although the changes, whether the new ten person room cap or ban on gym equipment, have been an adjustment, Thim is thanking her lucky stars for her job. “If I wasn’t here I would probably be sitting at home watching TV, which can get old pretty fast. I like being able to go outside or run around in the gym with the kids I work with because it benefits me too,” Thim revealed. 

Beyond their work life, both Wichser and Thim are evaluating the pros and cons of the current situation. Even though Wichser has been disheartened by cranky customers and Thim has missed socializing with friends, Wichser is enjoying more family interaction while Thim is loving the extra work time. 

The two teens, who’ve become vital, have taken the current conditions as an opportunity rather than a detriment. For them, now is time to step up and help out; not sit down and lock in. Everyone is getting creative. But, without young people like Wichser and Thim, businesses in the community, in the state, and in the U.S. wouldn’t be up and running.