feature writing
About: Three weeks after the cancellation of school due to the coronavirus, I tasked myself with completing the coronavirus extension for the 2020 yearbook. To fully document every area impacted by the virus and the end of the school year, I sectioned the article into multiple subheads: Distance Learning, Testing, Spring Sports, Impact At Home and What About The Rest of The Year? I conducted interviews virtually, through direct messages on Instagram, FaceTime calls and e-mails. Writing this story made me realize that even if the school year gets put on pause, scholastic journalism doesn't. This spread placed first in NSPA's Outstanding Coronavirus Coverage contest.
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COVID-19, CEO of Cancel Culture
COVID-19 led to online learning, altered AP exams, canceled spring sports and impacted students and families
On March 11, the World Health Organization categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic. With this new title, the coronavirus reached a level of global impact, canceling plans and temporarily closing schools. Cases popped up across the nation in the most populated states first, which included Florida.
DISTANCE LEARNING
On March 17, Governor DeSantis announced all Florida schools closed until April 15. Orange County Public Schools then declared the county to begin distance learning on March 30, where students can do their school work at home. In order to make online learning a reality, teachers created online training sessions and recorded instruction videos for students.
“The district has also prepared many webinars for teachers to participate in to cover everything from beginning to advanced Canvas use as well as best practices for online instruction,” media specialist Kim Turley said.
With laptops issued to every student at the beginning of the year, students already held a digital device to use in order to work from home. Students without internet access became eligible for free WiFi from Spectrum.
“We are spreading the word for those who do not have WiFi to contact local internet providers as they are providing free or discounted internet to families during this crisis,” Turley said.
TESTING
For students enrolled in AP classes, their exams transformed from a traditionally three-hour paper exam including a multiple choice section, free response section and occasionally an essay section, to a 45-minute online exam students take at home. In addition, the state canceled all FSA testing.
“I think College Board made this decision because they were trying to make it easiest for students to be able to still take their AP exams,” junior Olivia Caperton said.
Students’ attitudes differed in terms of response to the newly announced exam strategy, bringing stress or acceptance.
“I personally don’t feel worried about [AP exams] because everyone else is going to be in the same situation,” Caperton said.
SPRING SPORTS
While education became affected, spring sport seasons postponed, impacting student athletes.
“Everyone was having a great time breaking personal records until we heard the news that we can’t participate anymore 12 hours before our metro championship meet,” junior Draven Ashley said.
This instant impact on the track and field team led to the cancellation of athlete’s chances to excel.
“Our seniors, Carolyn Brown, Christian Roberts, and Ethan Barnette were all projected to go to states but it was sadly taken away from them just a few weeks before their final meet,” Ashley said.
Under the circumstances, Ashley remained optimistic about the outlook of the team’s future.
“Our Boone track and field team will come back stronger than before and will have a great awakening for other teams next year,” Ashley said.
Water polo team seniors, Samantha Senn, Ethan Bozeman and L’Wren Johnson became similarly affected by the coronavirus. The virus’s cancellation wake made it impossible for the team to celebrate senior night and travel to the Ransom Invitational in Miami.
“I don’t know what is next and if our teams will play again this year, but I do know these three seniors are ready to use the lessons learned in the pool as they move on into life,” water polo coach Michael Martinac said.
IMPACT AT HOME
The coronavirus continued to impact every aspect of students’ lives, from the sports they participated in to their life at home.
“I work at Publix and it has been super stressful and nuts. My mom also lost her job because of [the coronavirus],” senior Jacob Greene said.
Medical professionals and their families also encountered hardships with continuing daily life in the midst of the outbreak.
“My mom is a nurse and I’m already anxious enough that she is working and exposed to the virus daily,” senior Taylor McFall said. “It doesn’t help when she can’t come inside until she showers and puts her scrubs in the wash and when she is inside, she has to sit in another room and is constantly cleaning her belongings and anything she touches.”
Students also learned of loved ones who contracted the virus.
“My family friend has gotten the coronavirus. She lives up in New Jersey and she hasn’t been hit very badly [and] she’s going to have a good recovery but it makes me realize how careful we should be with this and how much it can and has effected us,” freshman Julia Yroa said.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR?
Additionally, students felt nervous about the remainder of the school year.
“Not only has this affected my senior year [but] made me question whether or not I’ll be able to go to graduation, have a graduation party, get to walk across the field for my lacrosse senior night, go to baccalaureate, or even step on Boone’s campus as a student again,” McFall said.
On March 24, principal Dusty Johns announced the cancellation of prom and Grad Bash.
“Seniors are waking up to not only their [water polo] senior night being canceled, but also their prom, Grad Bash and countless other opportunities for life long memories,” Martinac said.
This news affected senior’s mindset about the questionable remainder of the school year.
“As a senior, the coronavirus has taken away things most would consider ‘a right of passage,’ such as Grad Bash and prom. It’s hard to stay selfless during this pandemic when things we have been looking forward to for so long have been so quickly taken away. It’s a good reminder that things can change in an instant, so don’t take anything for granted,” senior Ann Stollenwork said.
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
COVID-19 led to online learning, altered AP exams, canceled spring sports and impacted students and families
On March 11, the World Health Organization categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic. With this new title, the coronavirus reached a level of global impact, canceling plans and temporarily closing schools. Cases popped up across the nation in the most populated states first, which included Florida.
DISTANCE LEARNING
On March 17, Governor DeSantis announced all Florida schools closed until April 15. Orange County Public Schools then declared the county to begin distance learning on March 30, where students can do their school work at home. In order to make online learning a reality, teachers created online training sessions and recorded instruction videos for students.
“The district has also prepared many webinars for teachers to participate in to cover everything from beginning to advanced Canvas use as well as best practices for online instruction,” media specialist Kim Turley said.
With laptops issued to every student at the beginning of the year, students already held a digital device to use in order to work from home. Students without internet access became eligible for free WiFi from Spectrum.
“We are spreading the word for those who do not have WiFi to contact local internet providers as they are providing free or discounted internet to families during this crisis,” Turley said.
TESTING
For students enrolled in AP classes, their exams transformed from a traditionally three-hour paper exam including a multiple choice section, free response section and occasionally an essay section, to a 45-minute online exam students take at home. In addition, the state canceled all FSA testing.
“I think College Board made this decision because they were trying to make it easiest for students to be able to still take their AP exams,” junior Olivia Caperton said.
Students’ attitudes differed in terms of response to the newly announced exam strategy, bringing stress or acceptance.
“I personally don’t feel worried about [AP exams] because everyone else is going to be in the same situation,” Caperton said.
SPRING SPORTS
While education became affected, spring sport seasons postponed, impacting student athletes.
“Everyone was having a great time breaking personal records until we heard the news that we can’t participate anymore 12 hours before our metro championship meet,” junior Draven Ashley said.
This instant impact on the track and field team led to the cancellation of athlete’s chances to excel.
“Our seniors, Carolyn Brown, Christian Roberts, and Ethan Barnette were all projected to go to states but it was sadly taken away from them just a few weeks before their final meet,” Ashley said.
Under the circumstances, Ashley remained optimistic about the outlook of the team’s future.
“Our Boone track and field team will come back stronger than before and will have a great awakening for other teams next year,” Ashley said.
Water polo team seniors, Samantha Senn, Ethan Bozeman and L’Wren Johnson became similarly affected by the coronavirus. The virus’s cancellation wake made it impossible for the team to celebrate senior night and travel to the Ransom Invitational in Miami.
“I don’t know what is next and if our teams will play again this year, but I do know these three seniors are ready to use the lessons learned in the pool as they move on into life,” water polo coach Michael Martinac said.
IMPACT AT HOME
The coronavirus continued to impact every aspect of students’ lives, from the sports they participated in to their life at home.
“I work at Publix and it has been super stressful and nuts. My mom also lost her job because of [the coronavirus],” senior Jacob Greene said.
Medical professionals and their families also encountered hardships with continuing daily life in the midst of the outbreak.
“My mom is a nurse and I’m already anxious enough that she is working and exposed to the virus daily,” senior Taylor McFall said. “It doesn’t help when she can’t come inside until she showers and puts her scrubs in the wash and when she is inside, she has to sit in another room and is constantly cleaning her belongings and anything she touches.”
Students also learned of loved ones who contracted the virus.
“My family friend has gotten the coronavirus. She lives up in New Jersey and she hasn’t been hit very badly [and] she’s going to have a good recovery but it makes me realize how careful we should be with this and how much it can and has effected us,” freshman Julia Yroa said.
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE YEAR?
Additionally, students felt nervous about the remainder of the school year.
“Not only has this affected my senior year [but] made me question whether or not I’ll be able to go to graduation, have a graduation party, get to walk across the field for my lacrosse senior night, go to baccalaureate, or even step on Boone’s campus as a student again,” McFall said.
On March 24, principal Dusty Johns announced the cancellation of prom and Grad Bash.
“Seniors are waking up to not only their [water polo] senior night being canceled, but also their prom, Grad Bash and countless other opportunities for life long memories,” Martinac said.
This news affected senior’s mindset about the questionable remainder of the school year.
“As a senior, the coronavirus has taken away things most would consider ‘a right of passage,’ such as Grad Bash and prom. It’s hard to stay selfless during this pandemic when things we have been looking forward to for so long have been so quickly taken away. It’s a good reminder that things can change in an instant, so don’t take anything for granted,” senior Ann Stollenwork said.
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
About: To me, this story represents hope from the optimistic feelings in the beginning of the pandemic. Since the school postponed the field trip discussed in this story, the angle needed to change at the last minute. Used to working on a hard deadline, other staffers and I collected new interviews virtually and I typed up the final copy. Revising the story on time and meeting the deadline gave us hope for a hasty return to normality.
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Chorus takes on Carnegie Hall
COVID-19 postponed trip to New York City until June
Chorus students dreamed of their voices ringing throughout Central Park in New York City. Forty choir students planned to travel to Carnegie Hall, two blocks away from Central Park, and perform at the Choirs of America Festival in March.
However, due to a coronavirus outbreak and recommendation from the Florida Department of Education, the school district postponed or cancelled all out-of-state student field trips. The chorus trip rescheduled to June.
“I am definitely upset about it being postponed, as we were planning on performing,” chorus president and senior Esa Petersen said.
Chorus planned on singing “In Meeting we are Blessed” and rehearsed in class and after school for months to prepare and improve their performance.
“We’re constantly planning to improve,” sophomore Peyton Kimble said. "Personally, I’m making sure I’m giving my 100% to make sure I can do my best. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”
While in the city, students hoped to see Broadway shows, tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral and visit Radio City Music Hall.
“The trip is going to be very special, it’s not something a lot of groups get to do,” chorus teacher Alex pollard said. “The students are very excited to perform where famous people have performed.”
Although the trip moved to after the school year ended, students still looked forward to attending and performing.
“At the point we will be going, seniors will have already graduated, but I am still looking forward to the experience,” Petersen said. “At this point, I am still planning to attend as of now. We all have the chance to sing one last time with seniors and underclassmen altogether in the amazing experience of performing in Carnegie Hall.”
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
COVID-19 postponed trip to New York City until June
Chorus students dreamed of their voices ringing throughout Central Park in New York City. Forty choir students planned to travel to Carnegie Hall, two blocks away from Central Park, and perform at the Choirs of America Festival in March.
However, due to a coronavirus outbreak and recommendation from the Florida Department of Education, the school district postponed or cancelled all out-of-state student field trips. The chorus trip rescheduled to June.
“I am definitely upset about it being postponed, as we were planning on performing,” chorus president and senior Esa Petersen said.
Chorus planned on singing “In Meeting we are Blessed” and rehearsed in class and after school for months to prepare and improve their performance.
“We’re constantly planning to improve,” sophomore Peyton Kimble said. "Personally, I’m making sure I’m giving my 100% to make sure I can do my best. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”
While in the city, students hoped to see Broadway shows, tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral and visit Radio City Music Hall.
“The trip is going to be very special, it’s not something a lot of groups get to do,” chorus teacher Alex pollard said. “The students are very excited to perform where famous people have performed.”
Although the trip moved to after the school year ended, students still looked forward to attending and performing.
“At the point we will be going, seniors will have already graduated, but I am still looking forward to the experience,” Petersen said. “At this point, I am still planning to attend as of now. We all have the chance to sing one last time with seniors and underclassmen altogether in the amazing experience of performing in Carnegie Hall.”
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year
About: Each year, a staff-wide vote selects a Teacher of the Year and a Support Person of the Year. In the faculty section of the yearbook, we include stories that compliment them and their accomplishments. These two stories represent my strength in basic yearbook writing skills. Communicating their stories resonated with me because of the pure joy they both find within their jobs, similar to the joy I feel as Editor-in-Chief.
Formulating encouragement
algebra teacher accepted Teacher of the Year Award
With her eyes watering, Algebra I teacher Kathleen Carroll accepted the Teacher of the Year award in her classroom. Carroll willingly aided faculty when needed and used student-preferred teaching methods in her class.
“She’s really good at handling students and finding ways to make class interesting. She’s able to gain respect from the students without being strict,” sophomore Chloe Nettles said.
Every day, Carroll greeted students with a smile and got to know the students personally through tutoring and small group activities.
“She does lots of hands-on foldables and packets,” Nettles said. “She constantly walks around the room to answer questions.”
Through teaching, Carroll inspired her students’ academic futures.
“[Mrs. Carroll] has inspired me to take AP Calculus. After I had her, I chose to get caught up and [learned] that math can actually be fun,” Nettles said.
In addition to her relationship with students, Carroll also made it a priority to serve as a helpful colleague for her co-workers.
“I go out of my way to try to get to know everyone on staff,” Carroll said. “I’m always willing to help and people know how much effort I put in.”
Her students described her as a driven teacher who aimed to create a fun class, but also informative and understandable for everyone.
“[We] work alongside each other and she acts like that we’re all in this together in order to get through high school,” Nettles said.
Carroll enjoyed teaching because of the bonds she made with the students in her classes.
“[The students] trust me and know that I am here for them and that I have [a] genuine interest in them and their lives,” Carroll said.
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
algebra teacher accepted Teacher of the Year Award
With her eyes watering, Algebra I teacher Kathleen Carroll accepted the Teacher of the Year award in her classroom. Carroll willingly aided faculty when needed and used student-preferred teaching methods in her class.
“She’s really good at handling students and finding ways to make class interesting. She’s able to gain respect from the students without being strict,” sophomore Chloe Nettles said.
Every day, Carroll greeted students with a smile and got to know the students personally through tutoring and small group activities.
“She does lots of hands-on foldables and packets,” Nettles said. “She constantly walks around the room to answer questions.”
Through teaching, Carroll inspired her students’ academic futures.
“[Mrs. Carroll] has inspired me to take AP Calculus. After I had her, I chose to get caught up and [learned] that math can actually be fun,” Nettles said.
In addition to her relationship with students, Carroll also made it a priority to serve as a helpful colleague for her co-workers.
“I go out of my way to try to get to know everyone on staff,” Carroll said. “I’m always willing to help and people know how much effort I put in.”
Her students described her as a driven teacher who aimed to create a fun class, but also informative and understandable for everyone.
“[We] work alongside each other and she acts like that we’re all in this together in order to get through high school,” Nettles said.
Carroll enjoyed teaching because of the bonds she made with the students in her classes.
“[The students] trust me and know that I am here for them and that I have [a] genuine interest in them and their lives,” Carroll said.
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
Custodial resident received schoolwide recognition
custodial resident received Support Person of the Year Award
Each day, custodial resident Jaime Hernandez, arrived at school at 4:30 a.m. to open all the gates, the main office and each building. Principal Dusty Johns awarded Hernandez with the Support Person of The Year title because of his established dedication and passion for his job.
“[I came to work] every day with a lot of enthusiasm and a positive attitude, ready to work and gave my best to have a better school day,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez started working as a custodian nine and a half years ago.
“It has been a blessing [working here],” Hernandez said. “I can enjoy seeing my daughter grow up throughout high school, along with my wife working in the cafeteria. For me, it is all very gratifying.”
Before and after school functions, Hernandez worked behind the scenes to make sure everything remained safe and clean for the students and faculty who attended.
“The hardest part of the job is trying to maintain the school in good condition, for any visitors and students,” Hernandez said. “For me, every part of my job is easy if you do your work with love.”
With the extra time spent on campus, Hernandez formed bonds with faculty members and students he met working in the cafeteria at lunch.
“I have an excellent relationship with my peers, I think that the staff and administration have become a family more than just a job,” Hernandez said. “It is a really beautiful relationship.”
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook
custodial resident received Support Person of the Year Award
Each day, custodial resident Jaime Hernandez, arrived at school at 4:30 a.m. to open all the gates, the main office and each building. Principal Dusty Johns awarded Hernandez with the Support Person of The Year title because of his established dedication and passion for his job.
“[I came to work] every day with a lot of enthusiasm and a positive attitude, ready to work and gave my best to have a better school day,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez started working as a custodian nine and a half years ago.
“It has been a blessing [working here],” Hernandez said. “I can enjoy seeing my daughter grow up throughout high school, along with my wife working in the cafeteria. For me, it is all very gratifying.”
Before and after school functions, Hernandez worked behind the scenes to make sure everything remained safe and clean for the students and faculty who attended.
“The hardest part of the job is trying to maintain the school in good condition, for any visitors and students,” Hernandez said. “For me, every part of my job is easy if you do your work with love.”
With the extra time spent on campus, Hernandez formed bonds with faculty members and students he met working in the cafeteria at lunch.
“I have an excellent relationship with my peers, I think that the staff and administration have become a family more than just a job,” Hernandez said. “It is a really beautiful relationship.”
published in the 2020 Legend Yearbook