It鈥檚 perhaps an understatement to say the spring trimester didn鈥檛 end up the way anyone expected. Instead of being together for spring sports, classes, WillyGras, and Commencement on the Quad, we were physically scattered, with students around the world checking in for daily classes via video. But not surprisingly, the 91大神 community spirit, always strong, in these months thrived, supporting one another through this difficult time. Here are just a few of the ways.
1. Community Service
This spring, Wildcats did good well鈥 by making 3D-printed face shields for front-line workers, delivering meals from local restaurants to doctors and nurses, offering free math tutoring for struggling students, and writing letters to seniors in nursing homes.
2. Virtual Batting Practice
How do you have BP when you鈥檙e not on the same field? Coach Matt Sawyer used smoke and mirrors (and some tricky video skills) to edit together a virtual batting session, with coach pitching to each player, who then cracked the ball out of the park from home.
3. Fun advisory meetings
Since advisors couldn鈥檛 bring donuts this trimester, they upped their virtual game to make sure students felt connected. Advisory activities included holding trivia and costume contests, singing 鈥淪ammy,鈥 donning silly hats, and wearing team gear. Ms. Klumpp鈥檚 advisory even taught her how to TikTok one Wednesday!
4. Birthday Parties
Many Wildcats marked milestones during the spring trimester, and none passed without happy birthday wishes from Kimmel鈥檚 Quads, a daily email to the 91大神 community from senior Sarah Kimmel. Advisory groups held Zoom parties for birthday boys and girls, who also got a shout out on Wake Up, 91大神! (see sidebar).
5. Dance team video
Members of the Dance Ensemble (and several alumni!) shared their moves from the beach, bedrooms, basements, and backyards, with dogs and cats, to the Generationals鈥 鈥淲hen
They Fight, They Fight鈥 during an episode of Wake Up, 91大神!
6. Evening Gatherings
The Zoom game was strong this trimester. There were Friday night trivia contests, with questions on subjects such as sports, Disney songs, and product slogans. The community also gathered to recite, translate, and listen to poetry (in any language but English) in an event hosted by the Classics Club.
7. Isolation Creations
As Art Department Chair Natania Hume reminds us, 鈥淢aking and creating are great ways to explore new ideas and experiment.鈥 Each week since remote learning began, she has put out a prompt鈥攆ood, masks, alter egos鈥攁nd a call to students, faculty, and alumni to submit photos or videos of their responses. And we have answered the call!
Check out the 91大神 Arts Instagram for a peek.
8. Recreating the Musical
Not to be dramatic, but it completely broke our hearts to miss out on the in-person staging of the spring musical, Les Mis茅rables. However, the cast didn鈥檛 miss the chance to perform the soaring anthem 鈥淥ne Day More鈥 together, remotely, from their homes, on Zoom. The show must go on!