Cincinnati Magazine June 9, 2021 It’s no secret that everyday life was disrupted during the pandemic, and kids’ normal routines were shattered. Relationships, interactions, outside school activities, and school itself were sacrificed in order to mitigate COVID spread, and extracurricular activities were particularly upended. Whether it’s traveling to other schools to compete on an academic team, participating in traditional sports, or preparing for prom, the pause in regular activities was significant and, in many cases, crushing. Illustration by Emi Villavicencio Now that area schools have experienced a year without extra activities, innovative solutions have sparked new ideas and in-person events are slowly coming back. We talked with several area school leaders to hear how extracurriculars might change in the future and how important they are for students and parents alike.