From working about 20 hours each week to not working at all, senior Dlovan Hassan has been one of many students who was forced to stop working due to his employer, Horizons Edge Sports Campus, shutting down during this pandemic.

“I’ve been unemployed since the week we got out of school. That same week, my senior soccer season ended, [so] that’s a bummer,” Hassan said. 

Although soccer season ended a while ago, Hassan still has been training with a couple of his friends. Keeping his hopes up, Hassan believes that this soccer season would’ve been the year the team could’ve made it to states. 

“I don’t have that much to do [during quarantine], and working kept me busy. On top of that, my job is within [the sports world] so it’s really entertaining and you see all your friends every day,” Hassan said. “As soon as the governor lets small businesses open [up], then we should be good to [open back up]. Before they shut down [Horizons Edge], they started running it differently. Instead of allowing everyone in, they had private rentals only. I think when we get back it’s going to be like that. Hopefully we can gradually get back to normal,” Hassan said. 

Along with small businesses temporarily closing, schools, including colleges, have closed to help stop the spread of COVID-19. These closures haven’t allowed seniors to tour their prospective colleges, however, Hassan has already made his choice. 

“I’ve chosen JMU. JMU just seemed like the best option for me, especially since I could keep coaching in the area and still be at Horizons for a couple more years,” Hassan said. 

Hassan is optimistic about things going back to normal and believes that it would be safe for him to go back to work after everything clears up. 

“I’m not scared to go back; for my age, the virus isn’t harmful and it would just be like the usual flu. It would just be like normal life,” Hassan said. “I want to make more money and raise up. Especially since school is not open right now, it’s the best time to stack up.”