Our latest issue of Diamonds in the Rough provides reflections on loss; all essays are tinged with restrictions on freedom and the infliction of uncertainty exaggerated by the pandemic. Our overall theme is perseverance: determination, grace under pressure, and humor characterize the student work included here on themes ranging from death as an Uber ride to a better place to preparing children for the worst, judging jokes that haven’t aged well, relinquishing childhood securities to become an adult, learning from literature how to live and how to die, determination in the face of adversity. There’s also joy: on listening to Taylor Swift and the necessity of the arts, especially in trying times.