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Hybrid/Virtual Learning
Lauren DiennaHybrid/Virtual Learning
A year ago, I never would have imagined that we would be going to school virtually and in separate groups. When the final bell rang on March 12th, I don’t think any of us thought that it would be the last day that we would be with our entire school for over eight months. These unprecedented times will one day be a story for us to tell, but right now, it’s a difficult reality. And with rates constantly increasing, it almost seems like the end is farther away than we originally thought.
I remember when LC announced the plan for returning to school in a hybrid format and how thrilled I was that things would start to go back to normal. However, it still seems to be nowhere near normal. Our teachers are working harder than ever to make sure we are still able to learn behind a computer screen. But I know for myself, personally, it is very difficult. One little computer glitch and you could miss a whole lesson. The distractions can build up to be endless, especially with several other "classrooms" in the same household. Even just keeping track of when and where you are in school each day can test your patience. The constant back-and-forth and no answers in sight with regard to a return to "normal," makes this time more confusing than ever. But honestly, it is much better than nothing.
With the holidays quickly approaching, we all have to be more careful than ever to protect our families and loved ones by practicing social distancing and wearing masks. And while none of us really wants to go fully virtual, we have to trust that we are doing this to help our community go back to normal as quickly as possible. We also have to trust that this won’t be forever. With a vaccine on the way, hopefully we can soon remember what it feels like to be in a room of people without masks.
Covid Throws a Curveball at Athletics
Ryan StumpfCovid Throws a Curveball at Athletics
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected sports at every level across the globe. The NBA and NHL had to play their playoffs in a bubble, baseball only played 60 games rather than 162, and certain teams in the NFL have to close their team facilities due to players contracting the virus. This pandemic has made the greatest impact on high school sports. Many players who are working towards playing at the collegiate level and ultimately in the professional leagues may not get a chance to be scouted by colleges. Sports are also a safe place for some people and, since most leagues are shut down, this leaves athletes searching for alternative outlets.
Lansdale Catholic’s sports teams have been affected as well. The fall sports season was initially cancelled and students didn’t expect to officially play at all. Then, it was announced that they were going to get a chance at the season after all. The uncertainty around the season has been immense. I talked to LC’s Athletic Director, Mr. Princehorn, about how the uncertainty has affected the teams. “It's been challenging,” he said. “It's been tough to mentally and physically adjust. You go from practicing every day, set with the thought that you are going to compete, and then it all gets taken away. Then out of the blue, you have to get your mind and your body back to a competitive level in a very short amount of time.”
While some teams were able to finish out their fall seasons, the remaining sports seasons have yet again been postponed due to the recent uptick in cases leading to the closure of schools and suspension of all activities, announced Friday, November 13th.
LC Drama Club Presents: The Monologue Show
Anna Cramer, Courtney Cashley, & Madeleine GauntLC Drama Club Presents: The Monologue Show
Lansdale Catholic Drama Club presented The Monologue Show this November. The show consisted of humorous and lighthearted monologues that allowed the actors to social distance and wear masks. Each cast member memorized a monologue of a comical story, including one that consisted of stealing garden gnomes and getaway cars. Another featured a girl obsessed with her sister, who then shared how tired she was of said-obsessive sibling following her around. The monologues required great comedic timing and memorization.
The show’s cast of 13 people was well-prepared despite only getting to practice once a week for four weeks, with an additional tech week. This was also the first-ever show featuring Drama Club director, Mrs. Dolan. Mrs Dolan shared that she is immensely proud of the kids for “taking on a completely different type of show — one with almost no interaction among cast members — and really embracing it, working hard, and doing fabulously.” While no official plans have been made to put on a spring musical, we are all hopeful that LC’s Drama Club will still get to present one.
Interviews with cast members Kelley Burns and Christopher Chippolini, who played the characters of Brenda and Bradley, gave great insight into the struggles and accomplishments of this year’s show. When asked what her favorite part of the show was, Kelley said that she enjoyed the intimate aspect of this new style of acting which “gave everyone their own opportunity to have their own lines and voices heard.”
However, both cast members agreed on the fact that they missed the interactions of the characters, and Christopher specifically stated, “I missed the overall dialogue aspect.”
Despite the current situation of the coronavirus, the actors were still able to incorporate a great deal of humor into the monologue. According to Kelley, humor was both the most fun and the most challenging part of delivering the performance. While she saw her role as the clingy sister as a fun experiment, she also went on to explain its challenges. Both Kelley and Chris agreed that, throughout the different shows, they were able to realize “where comedic pauses got the greatest reaction from the audience.” Overall, Kelley and Chris both enjoyed this opportunity and had an amazing time portraying characters. In addition, they are optimistic for more interactions with other cast members in future plays.
The show was truly a triumph for the LC Drama Club due to their determination to put on a show during a difficult time, ensuring it still turned out amazing. We thank the Drama Club for offering a way to bring the LC community together safely in person, to be able to share laughs together, and to have one of the last gatherings before the shut down. The show truly showcased each and every cast member's talent, leaving a lasting positive impression on its audience. We look forward to the next one!
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