The year of 2012 was one of many ups and downs that included triumphs and heartbreaks.
One of the highlights of the year was the 2012 Summer Olympics, where the United States brought home 46 gold medals in swimming, gymnastics, tennis and other various sports. However, some enjoyed the cultural aspects of the Olympics just as much as the games themselves.
“What I really like about the Olympics is how the host city tries to show off,” UW senior Justi Lohmeyer said. “There’s a huge part of it that focuses on the games, but there’s also a huge cultural aspect that I like.”
Another influential moment this year was President Barack Obama’s re-election, although it may not have been as influential as the previous presidential election.
“I feel like this election wasn’t really as controversial as the last one because it was a re-election so I feel like it didn’t have as much of an impact as it did in 2008,” Lohmeyer said.
The excitement that was brought on by the Olympics may have been overcast by the troubles that the United States faced over the summer, including dozens of wildfires that burned hundreds of thousands of acres in states including Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado.
Colorado also was struck by tragedy when a gunman opened fire during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colo., killing 12 and injuring dozens of others.
“There were a lot of shootings this year and it almost seemed like there were more this year than in previous years, but I’m not sure,” senior Kilee Thompson said.
The suspected gunman in the Aurora shooting is still awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, in a similar scenario in Newtown, Conn., another gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 26. Those who were killed consisted of young students, teachers and administrators. The suspected gunman later took his own life.
“I couldn’t tell if there were more shootings this year or if the media was just paying more attention to them this year,” junior Paige Hammer said.
Other events that framed 2012 were the “threats” of two apocalypses. While some were not sure whether to believe these threats, many brushed them off.
“People were really stupid about it. I come from a Christian background and I’m a firm believer that when the world’s going to end it’s just going to end and we’re not going to see it coming,” Lohmeyer said. “I thought people really blew it out of proportion.”
Even with all the ups and downs of the past year, Hammer says she feels like 2012 was an optimistic year in spite of it all.
“In spite of all the negative things that happened this past year such as the shootings and fires, I still think people had a lot of hope,” Hammer said. “And I think that says a lot about the spirit of the American people.”
