W.Va. health facility horror stories: “It feels like my safety doesn’t come first.”
By Douglas Harding, Marshall University
April 1, 2020
Editor’s note: Some sources in this story agreed to speak only on the condition of anonymity out of fear of repercussions regarding their employment. Amid the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, healthcare facilities across West Virginia are experiencing shortages of necessary masks and other essential...
Coronavirus transforms students’ studies abroad
By Hadley Steele and Gabby Shaffer
April 1, 2020
Students globally are being affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a variety of ways. Oregon schools will be out until at least Apr. 30, Japan has planned for a five-week closure and Italy has placed a full quarantine on its residents. Sophomore Luna Abadia has been in Japan on an exchange from...
Local businesses feel impact of global pandemic
By Maya Waid, Harrisonburg High School
April 1, 2020
As COVID-19 takes its toll on the globe, one of the most heavily impacted industries is the restaurant industry. As a result of people being advised to stay home and social distance, local businesses are experiencing a decrease in customer turnout. Beyond’s owner of 10 years, Praserth Seasow, has experi...
When Racism Goes Viral
By Katie Golden, North Allegheny Senior High School
April 1, 2020
Even before the widespread emphasis on social distancing and state-suggested quarantines, I was nervous going out in public. But it was for a very different reason than you might expect. I had read about COVID-19, and I even created a model of the spread of the virus, using the program GLEAMviz and available...
CISD implements new pass or fail grading policy for fourth nine weeks
By Akansha Singh, Coppell High School
March 31, 2020
Amidst a district-wide shift to online curriculum, Coppell ISD has changed grading practices such that final and three-week report cards will reflect either a passing or failing grade for the fourth nine weeks of school. This change applies to elementary and secondary campuses. Any assignment ave...
Most foreign exchange students return home
By Katie Darragh, Cathedral High School - IN
March 31, 2020
Due to its commitment to diversity, Cathedral is home to many foreign exchange students belonging to programs such as Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG) and International Experience (IE-USA). Admissions has also welcomed students without an agency through direct placement. However, due to recent...
School Closure Devastates Student Body
By Janelle Camba, Kempsville High School
March 31, 2020
On March 23 Governor Ralph Northam announced a groundbreaking change that made students’ hearts drop: all Virginia schools would be closed for the rest of the academic year. After a mere week in quarantine, students had already expressed their boredom, looking forward to their return to Kempsville...
Woman spends her quarantine helping the homeless
By Adila Azizali, Carlmont High School
March 31, 2020
The streets are empty. Since the COVID-19 epidemic hit the world, everyone is quarantining in their homes. However, the population of the homeless are forgotten. Having no place to stay or a proper support system, these individuals' suffer from no income. Considering this situation, many are donating...
Nonrefundable school events pose stress on students after COVID-19 cancellations
By Heba Bounar, Granite Bay High School
March 31, 2020
Barely a month ago girls were frantically making arrangements for junior prom, spending weeks and typically a hefty amount of cash to find the perfect dress. As events like prom only happen once throughout high school, many feel comfortable with investing a fair amount into them. What they didn’t...
All STAAR tests for 2019-2020 cancelled, graduation requirements changed
By Faith Lawrence, James Bowie High School
March 31, 2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released information on Wednesday, March 18 regarding the 2019-2020 school year, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests and graduation requirements. On Monday, March 16, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the state would waive all STAAR ...
An unusually alert spring break
By Sarah Bernick, Davenport West High School
March 31, 2020
“Ahhhh-Chew!” A sneeze that would usually be recovered by a smile and a “bless you” has now turned into an uncertain look and the social distancing of another person. COVID-19 is the most serious health threat that has faced the country in over 100 years, according to Dr. Robert R. Redfield,...
Self-isolation hurts high schoolers’ mental health
By Steven Curto, Mill Valley High School
March 31, 2020
Following Johnson County’s stay-at-home order, which went into effect Tuesday, March 24, students have been forced to stay home and limit their contact with others to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. With limited social contact and self-isolation many high school students have seen their...
Bakeries adjust to bring joy during COVID-19
By Amber Chia, Carlmont High School
March 31, 2020
The sweet smell of vanilla, apricot, and almond wafts through the crisp morning air in San Francisco, California. A woman beams as she walks out of Dianda’s Bakery with her daily order of an apricot twist. She smiles and thanks the owner, Floyd Goldberg, for staying open during the intensive circumstances. ...
The FHS Sports Showcase (March 26, 2020)
By Nate Albin and Fletcher Haltom
March 31, 2020
In this episode, quarantined Fletcher and Nate talk about the coronavirus. They discuss its effect on sports, how the IHSAA and other leagues will move forward and have an exclusive interview with sophomore track and field athlete Kate Baumgartner about staying ready for competition during the break. Thi...
COVID-19 Affects Student-Athletes Now and for the Future
By Katelyn Newton, Rio Americano High School
March 31, 2020
Varsity track and cross country athlete Ross Gowan has been working for years toward a spot on a Division I collegiate team. But now, as COVID-19 has closed schools and ended the track season, the senior lost his final opportunities to catch the eye of recruiters. “I've been training very hard...
COVID-19 perspectives from around the world
By Amelia Jáuregui and Sarah Boutouis
March 31, 2020
What started off in Wuhan, China in late 2019, is now a global pandemic impacting people everywhere. To get an idea of what is happening in other areas, Wingspan reached out to students across America and around the world for this Special Report providing global perspectives on COVID-19. United...
Students return home as Universities shut down
By Drew Jurek, Stillwater Area High School
March 31, 2020
When college freshman, Chester Hearne, heard the University of Minnesota would institute an extension to spring break, he was happy. An extension in his mind meant he would be able to spend more time relaxing with his family and be able to pursue his interests without worrying about school. However,...
QuaranTeens: The Effects of Social Isolation
By Osaivbie Uhunmwuangho, Lake Ridge High School
March 31, 2020
With the outbreak of the Coronavirus disease, schools across the globe have shut down and moved to online classes. The contagious disease has medical professionals encouraging the idea of isolating oneself from socializing in the form of physical interaction. Toward the end of spring break, Mansfield...
How Will We Remember COVID-19? (PODCAST)
By Mei Lamison, Casey Martin, Reagan Finch, and Adriana James-Rodil
March 31, 2020
This episode of Achona: Beyond the Article is being submitted to the NPR Student Podcast Challenge and is, therefore, shorter than usual. Editor-in-Chief Mei Lamison, Senior Staff Writers Casey Martin and Reagan Finch, and Multimedia Editor Adriana James-Rodil ('21) discuss, via FaceTime, how history will ...
COVID-19 and its Effects on The College Process with Dean Oren Iosepovici
By Leah Breakstone and Ariel Weinsaft
March 30, 2020
This podcast features an interview conducted by Maroon with SHS Counseling Department Chair Oren Iosepovici regarding coronavirus school closures and their effects on the college admissions process. A range of topics is discussed here, including transcripts, GPAs, and grades, as well as standardi...
COVID-19 lockdown shortens junior’s stay in France
By Lucy Marco, McCallum High School
March 30, 2020
For most of us, the coronavirus quarantine means a shuttered school, incredibly limited human interaction, and staying locked inside all day. But for junior Kenta Asazu, this pandemic meant crossing the Atlantic and cutting short a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It meant leaving his time as an exchange...
I Challenge You…
By Kate Vankeirsbilck, Notre Dame de Sion
March 30, 2020
With COVID-19 pushing many into self-quarantine and social distancing, new Instagram challenges are emerging each day. Celebrities and students are joining in on the see a pup send a pup challenge, positivity challenge, see 10 do 10 challenge, until tomorrow challenge and my fav things in GIFS challenge....
Pandemic’s consequences
By Elise Isakov, Henry W. Grady High School
March 30, 2020
What once seemed like a distant problem has now reached Atlanta’s front door. COVID-19 has made its way from foreign countries into the heart of Atlanta at increasingly alarming rates and is greatly impacting APS and Grady community life. Before the pandemic hit Atlanta Public Schools, Grady’s...
Missing School or Missing School?
By Kierigan McEvoy, Francis Howell Central High School
March 30, 2020
No more waking up at, roughly, 5 a.m. No more lesson plans. No more grading homework. No more school; period. Well, at least not until Monday, April 6. You would think that some would jump for joy at the thought of not having to deal with annoying high school students for an extra two weeks, but math...
Community comes together to fight Coronavirus amid social distancing
By John Franklin, Stillwater Area High School
March 30, 2020
According to the World Health Organization, People should stay one meter (3 feet) away from each other during this pandemic. In the St. Croix Valley, the community has found many ways to come together as one. In Bayport, outside of the wine bar called Manger, which is only in its sophomore year ...
Brentwood’s switch to online school
By Jonas Wall, Brentwood High School
March 30, 2020
As regular life is disrupted across the country, schools everywhere are scrambling to teach students at the middle and high school level who are quarantined at home. Here at Brentwood, the situation is no different. Everyone in the school community has had to adapt to a new style of both teaching and...
Remote learning: three days in
By Hannah Riseman, Hollis Brookline High School
March 30, 2020
Friday, March 20, exactly one week after the announcement that SAU41 would transition to remote learning until April 3 due to the spread of COVID-19, marked the end of the first week of online learning. Teachers have utilized a variety of tools, from Google Classroom to Zoom, to maintain their classroom at...
A Conversation Regarding COVID-19 School Closures with SHS Principal Kenneth Bonamo
By Leah Breakstone and Ariel Weinsaft
March 30, 2020
This podcast features an exclusive interview conducted by Maroon with Scarsdale High School Principal Kenneth Bonamo regarding recent school closures to curb the spread of COVID-19. A range of topics is discussed here, including the grading policy for quarter three and possibly quarter four, the rescheduling of e...
From Vacations to “Stay-cations”: How Coronavirus is Impacting Students’ Travel Plans
By Cherise Kim, Cambridge High School - GA
March 30, 2020
The typical spring break packing list consists of items such as swimsuits and sunscreen. This year, however, students may find themselves packing hand sanitizer and hazmat suits instead. COVID-19, or the coronavirus, has disrupted people’s day-to-day lives all over the world as the virus has spread...
Virus, time out of school have brought big adjustments
By BY PURBALITE STAFF, Baldwin High School - PA
March 30, 2020
Senior Gavin Wieckowski’s parents made him quit his job at the Brentwood Giant Eagle grocery store because of the coronavirus pandemic. “I was really worried whenever the virus became a bigger threat and school closed, because it meant I might not be able to work at Giant Eagle anymore. My parents...
International students feel the pandemic
By Victoria Martins, Seward County Community College
March 30, 2020
The past weeks haven’t been easy for anyone. So many decisions have been made in the middle of chaos. This COVID-19 pandemic has a different effect on everyone. As an international student from Brazil, all of this hit me a little differently. With so many unanswered questions, there’s a river of...
What it is like to graduate in the midst of a global crisis
By Cade Spencer, James Bowie High School
March 30, 2020
In just two months, senior Sarah Israel was expecting to hear her name called and to take the traditional walk across the stage at graduation. This long-awaited rite of passage would represent more than just an end to high school life, it would symbolize her transition into adulthood. What is waiting...
Senior Year, Senior Fears
By Lauren Lejeune, Powell High School
March 30, 2020
Powell High School’s “extended spring break” still has another week to go. Students were wondering the week of March 23-27 what April 6, the projected date for school to begin, would bring for the rest of the semester. Then at about 4 p.m. Friday, March 27, the school district revealed traditional...
OPINION: Racism infects the nation during COVID-19 outbreak
By Blaze Myers, Boyertown Area Senior High
March 30, 2020
"Everyone knows Chinese people are disgusting; they'll eat any type of animal -- they're dirty," is a staple of the backward Anti-Asian sentiments being spread during the Coronavirus outbreak, lifted from a four minute film from Katherine Oung's Coronavirus Racism Infected My High School. Historically,...
Part-Time Jobs in a Full-Time Pandemic
By Meg Rees, North Allegheny Senior High School
March 30, 2020
We are all living in a moment of history right now. Perhaps the biggest pandemic since the Spanish Flu of 1918, COVID-19 is sweeping across the globe, leaving tens of thousands dead at the time of this article's publication. On March 24th, PA Governor Tom Wolf announced the closure of all non-life ...
CCHS transitions to online platform in wake of COVID-19
By Cole Hume, Cathedral Catholic High School
March 30, 2020
As coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads across the U.S. West Coast, Cathedral Catholic High School administration announced the transition of on-campus learning to an online platform today. Virtual classes will begin on Wednesday, March 18. “There is no training for this type of situation so it’s been...
Flying 7,000 miles home to Uganda and some lessons learned from Ebola
By Michelle Wei, The Masters School
March 27, 2020
Junior Mattilyn Stone has recently returned to Kampala, Uganda where she lives with her two-year-old sister, seven-year-old brother, mom and stepdad. Below, she details her journey back home, her quarantine, how the Ebola outbreak has affected the Ugandan response to coronavirus and the possibility...
Living with someone who has COVID-19
By Kailey Blazier, Elkhart Memorial High School
March 27, 2020
Before I begin, it is to be noted that when my mother began feeling unwell, my family and I distanced ourselves from her as much as possible in an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus. With the current pandemic, we ask ourselves with each cough, sneeze, headache, or just odd feeling if this ...
Commentary: When the trip of a lifetime begins to feel like a nightmare
By Ali Juell, Granite Bay High School
March 27, 2020
New York City. A place brimming with opportunity and excitement at every corner you turn. The glitz of Broadway and the glowing billboards of Time Square. So much to see! So much to do! When I landed in JFK airport with the Granite Bay High band, I was ready to see a city I had always dreamed...
Trump uses term “Chinese Virus” amid criticism
By Katherine Esterl, Henry W. Grady High School
March 27, 2020
President Donald Trump referred to the coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus” in tweets and press briefings, prompting critical responses from those who viewed the term as xenophobic. The coronavirus is thought to have begun in December in Wuhan, China, and has since spread to nearly every continent,...
The College Board updates AP testing procedures in response to COVID-19
By Hannah Lee, Monta Vista High School
March 27, 2020
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n March 20, the College Board posted an update to its website, explaining the changes it will make to the Advanced Placement (AP) exams for the 2019-20 school year. In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, which has posed unprecedented educational challenges for multiple...
Seniors share grief about COVID-19 pandemic
By Cameron Thomas, The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
March 27, 2020
“I waited 18 years for my senior year, and now, it seems as if it’s been taken away from me,” said MSMS senior Mykailla Foster. Foster traveled home from school on Friday, March 6, for Spring Break. Little did she know that Friday, March 6, could possibly have been her last day seeing her teachers...
Pasta Pandemic
By Tessa Bertine, Woodside High School - CA
March 27, 2020
As coronavirus concerns increase, many Bay Area locals hit grocery stores in preparation for the government's "shelter in place" order. As of Tuesday, March 24th, the Bay Area was up to 1,104 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. To limit the spread of the virus, the state of California has been p...
QuaranTEENed – This May Be A While
By Addie Bassin and Jonathan Morris
March 27, 2020
In this episode, students and teachers reflect on their first week and a half of distance learning. This episode we hear from freshmen Sammy Schreiber and Dalya Offer, sophomores Dalia Siegel and Elyon Topolosky and juniors Jane Trainor and Josh Bachrach, and revisit junior Tess Mendelson on how she h...
Processing Minority S2E1: Extracurricular cancelation due to COVID-19
By Clarisse Bell, Carlmont High School
March 27, 2020
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone differently, many communities have seen cancelations in school, work, and travel all in the promotion of safety. For many teenagers and adolescents, the extracurriculars they participate in are what make them who they are, and giving up these events ...
Coronavirus impacts on local education
By Alex Steil, Stillwater Area High School
March 27, 2020
The coronavirus was on everyone’s radar. Most knew about it and that it would impact economic markets. No one, however, knew it would disrupt the world economy to this extent. More importantly though, no one knew how impactful it would be on local education. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed Emergency ...
No days off: Spring sport athletes continue training despite the suspension of their seasons
By Hannah Brody, York Community High School
March 27, 2020
During the month of March, students witnessed the rapid growth of a virus, formally called COVID-19, across our country, waiting to see how it would impact them. The week of March 9 consisted of many announcements beginning with the notification of an e-learning plan in case COVID-19 prompted school...
Local sewing community pays it forward
By Grace Zhang, Sycamore High School - OH
March 27, 2020
Growing up, we’ve read about history, learned about history, and now? We’re living through history. As the Coronavirus pandemic spreads, it seems as if we as students can’t do anything to help...well, of course, other than staying at home and practicing social distancing. But a few Sycamore...
Donning a mask, goggles, gloves and a raincoat, sophomore returns home to China
By Michelle Wei, The Masters School
March 27, 2020
International sophomore Allen Ning details his plan to travel from New York back to China to be with his family amidst the coronavirus outbreak below. Ning's home is located in Guangzhou, in Guangdong province. Ning's family is currently in Meizhou, which is also in Guangdong province, where they have...
Community under quarantine: Downers Grove adapts in wake of COVID-19
By Alex Miranda, Downers Grove South High School
March 27, 2020
This story was originally published on Blueprint on March 25, 2020....