The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the daily lives of Midlo faculty and students dramatically over the last eight months. During this time, Midlo students have found new ways to occupy their time while staying COVID-safe by taking up new hobbies and by helping others. Though this time forced some apart, students did all they could to stay unified and productive as they navigated the uncharted waters of quarantine.  

Many students engaged in new recreational activities. Senior Lisa Witherow shares, “I have started doing a lot more fitness-based activities from home. I also love kayaking at the Swift Creek Reservoir and going bike riding.” Another student, senior Anya Ruzicka, combined outdoor activities with helping the elderly. Residents in her neighborhood take turns walking with an elderly neighbor who would otherwise be alone day after day. Ruzicka explains, “It’s great exercise for us, gets us outside, and our bodies moving. It’s a win-win!” Senior Olivia Nealon has also used her free time during quarantine to support the elderly community. She shares, “One activity I’ve picked up during quarantine is making greeting cards with positive messages for elderly people who have been isolating and living in facilities because of COVID-19.” Through these activities, the Midlo community has done a great job promoting the well-being of both themselves and others during this unprecedented time.

Quarantining has also provided students with ample time to develop new hobbies. Using his time to experiment with food, junior Sreeman Venigalla, says, “I’ve been baking a lot of new desserts recently.” While some have spent their time in the kitchen, others have been finding different creative outlets. “I picked up playing the guitar and learned how to knit over quarantine,” states sophomore Abby Walsh. Sophomore Sarah Matsunaga also challenged herself, using her free time to expand her lingual horizons, as she “worked on studying subjects in Japanese.” Sophomore Patterson Summers found a hobby he could do with his family, sharing, “Every week, my family and I have been doing 500- to 1000-piece puzzles.” Though COVID-19 changed everyone’s daily lives, Midlo students, along with people around the world, used this time of quarantine for personal growth and new beginnings.