The young adults graduating from high school this year will be defined by their Zoom educations and viral TikToks, but also by their lost summer jobs and unpredictable futures.

But when I found myself stuck at home with my two younger siblings and parents with an unlimited amount of free time, I turned toward the thing I love most: making music.

Spending so much time with my family during my last year living at home has brought us closer.

But these past few weeks have shown me that music can be a huge part of my life without being my career.

—As told to Mélissa Godin

Lauren lives in Rolla, Mo., and plans to attend Indiana University Bloomington

My main passion in life is the environment.