EMMAUS HIGH SCHOOL @stinger.ehs @stingerehs THE STINGER @StingerEHS March 2021 Volume 46 Issue 2

COVID-19 Tents are set up with space for vaccine recipients to drive through and receive the vacci- nation without leaving their car. issue Photo by Alice Adams.

A medical professional leans through a car window in order to administer a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine recipients were required to stay in their car throughout the process. Photo by Alice Adams. COVID VACCINES BEGIN ROLLOUT ACROSS LEHIGH VALLEY Kristen Heilenman tested positive nor experienced any symptoms. received the Pfizer vaccine. Editor-in-Chief According to Ferraro, the process to receive the vac- “We were all very much like, ‘the second we can Belle Lees cine was fairly easy. get the vaccine, we’re going to get it,’” Knappenberger News Editor “Since it was offered to all employees, all I had to do explained. When the COVID-19 vaccine became available, Em- was sign up for a time slot and get the dose on the day According to the PA Department of Health, common maus High School track and field coach Kami Reinhard they were administering where I work,” Ferraro said. “I side effects of the vaccine include pain and swelling at jumped at the chance to receive both doses of the Moder- wasn’t that nervous going into getting the vaccine. I knew the injection site, chills, tiredness, and headaches. How- na vaccine. I definitely wanted to get it. I feel very strongly about ever, Reinhard did not experience any of these effects. Reinhard, a physical therapist for Lehigh Valley Health doing my part in trying to help overcome this pandemic.” “Not a one,” Reinhard confessed. “It was very odd. I Network, received one of the 600,000 full doses that were Vaccinating students is more complicated because don’t know why ... My husband got the same [vaccine], administered in the Lehigh Valley by late February. An- some of the vaccines are not approved for children. The and the second shot for him, he was very ill [after] the other 1.5 million residents received partial doses, accord- Pfizer vaccine should only be used for people 16 and second shot. But I didn’t have any, and I’m not sure why, ing to the PA Department of Health. Currently, the state is older, and the Moderna vaccine should not be given to but I’m lucky.” in stage 1A, meaning the vaccine is being distributed to individuals under 18. Like Reinhard, Ferraro had minimal side effects after healthcare professionals, essential workers, and high-risk On Feb. 27, the Federal Drug Administration approved being vaccinated. individuals: people who provide services to the elderly or a new vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson. The “A minor side effect of both doses was just soreness in have specific health concerns. one-dose vaccine is approved for people 18 and older. the arm that I had the shot,” Ferraro said. “However, after Along with being a physical therapist, Reinhard was Recently, there has also been a growing availability of the second dose I did have more of a reaction to the shot “redeployed” to Lehigh Valley Hospital between March doses of the J&J vaccine for teachers within EPSD. in that my body was sore and I felt pretty weak and tired and June to work with COVID-19 patients. She witnessed While both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines were the day after I got the shot. But it only lasted for that one firsthand the consequences of contracting the virus. developed using the same mRNA technology, they differ day.” “That experience showed me the severity of COVID in two main areas: the time between the first and second While Knappenberger did not have any side effects and what can happen because I saw people of all ages be dose, and the age of individuals in their studies. associated with the first shot, she did experience some affected, and how quickly it can affect people’s lives,” “The reason why Pfizer can give it to students who side effects after her second shot. Reinhard said. are younger is because their studies included younger “My second dose of the vaccine, the next day, I had a After her experience working in the hospital, Reinhard students, where the Moderna ones did not,” EHS school couple aches and pains and a little bit of nausea. It was 12 knew that she would get the vaccine as soon as possible, nurse Tracy Miller said. “So that’s the reason why theirs hours after I got my shot, and then it lasted for 12 hours,” to protect both herself and others. is approved for 16 and older. They’ve already done the Knappenberger described. “And then, after that, I was “When the vaccine came out, I mean, immediately I research on teenagers, where Moderna has not.” like, ‘I’m completely fine, that was really strange.’ ‘Cause said I would get it because, not so much even for me, but Senior Rachel Knappenberger is another student who it was not like I was getting progressively better, but just just to protect other people,” Reinhard explained. “...I received the vaccine because it was offered to everyone feeling bad, feeling bad, [then] I’m all good.” want to make sure I don’t pass it on to anybody else and at her job. Knappenberger works at the Lehigh Valley Based on research studies and observations, Mill- to families. And even though they don’t know 100 per- Eye Center in Allentown, assisting with “tech work” and er links the presence of side effects to exposure to cent yet if getting the vaccine will prevent it, it’s just one filing. Initially, she believed that she would be one of COVID-19. step closer, so I felt that I should take that step.” the last people to receive the vaccine due to her age, so “Oftentimes people who are not feeling well [after they Though many people have concerns about receiving she set out to get the vaccine as soon as it was offered, receive the vaccine] have been exposed to COVID — the vaccine, Reinhard was very confident in her decision receiving her first dose on Dec. 30 and her second dose knowingly or unknowingly,” Miller said. “...They are the to get it. on Jan. 20. ones who feel the crummiest after the second — and it’s “I’ve been following the research,” Reinhard said. “I “I was like ‘I’m never going to get the COVID vac- usually the second dose.” trust the science behind it, and at this point, what I’ve cine. I’m not. I’m 17 years old. They’re not going to Miller encourages everyone to be vaccinated, even seen, is it’s 100 percent effective in preventing a severe provide me [with] it until it’s like everyone can get it,’” if they have already been exposed and the possibility of [case], you know, like a hospitalization COVID illness.” Knappenberger said. “...[But] my work was like, ‘we feeling unwell is present. Several other members of the EHS community have want you guys to get the COVID vaccine, and it’s avail- “Fear of not feeling well for a day should not deter also received the vaccine; senior Emma Ferraro is one of able for all people who work [here].’ I was like, ‘what people from being vaccinated,” Miller said. “We are them. Ferraro received both doses of the Pfizer-Biotech better opportunity to get it.’” never going to achieve herd immunity without getting the vaccine, as she works in a retirement home. The oppor- Everyone in Knappenberger’s family has already majority of the population vaccinated.” tunity to be vaccinated was presented to all of her fellow been vaccinated: her dad and grandparents received the employees. Ferraro was exposed to COVID, but never Moderna vaccine, and Knappenberger and her mother Continued on page 2

S T I N G E R E H S . C O M 2 THE STING ER MARCH 2021 STINGEREHS.COM

News Kindly, Krissy FINDING Vaccine rollout grows ENTHUSIASM IN Continued from page 1 continually rethink the safety of their day- school has been when social distancing is AN OLD PRACTICE to-day activities. not or cannot be followed, so following In general, Ferraro sees the benefits to “You’ve got to really rethink little the rules on social distancing, masks, and the COVID vaccines and is thankful she things like sleepovers, and socializing hygiene is still very important.” Kristen was able to receive hers and do her part to without masks,” Miller said. “I have For all seniors planning to attend Heilenman “stop the spread.” Knappenberger is also had several students transmit the disease college next year, Miller urges getting Editor- grateful for her opportunity to receive the during sleepovers. I think that people vaccinated due to possibly unforeseen in-Chief vaccine and encourages “anyone who gets are on their guard when they’re in the circumstances with roommates. I distinctly the chance” to “go get it.” building, and they’re off their guard when “You could be living with a partier, or remember Miller advocates for all students to they’re at home and with their friends.” someone who doesn’t follow the guide- learning how One thing Mill- lines, you don’t know,” Miller said. “Stu- to postmark er recognizes is the dents living in congregate living spaces a letter in lack of spread among are in group 1B, so it looks like seniors elementa- students and teachers, will be able to get vaccinated before they ry school; showing the success of go to college in August.” however, I EHS’ hybrid model. Ferraro hopes everyone will, at the very never thought “There has been least, think about getting the vaccine in I would use that skill, and I never did. no student-to-staff order to protect themselves and others. That is, until recently. transmission that I “My overall feeling about the vaccine It all started after I was accepted to know of, and there has is positive,” Ferraro said. “I feel very college — Wake Forest University. I been only a few cases lucky in that I had a good experience began meeting my future peers online, of student-to-student being able to get it. I think everyone who and we instantly became friends; we transmission, and there is able to get the vaccine should most followed each other on Instagram and has been no staff- definitely consider it. In the long run it added one another on Snapchat. Wake to-student transition is an important step in trying to help end Forest happens to attract students from in the building that this pandemic so we can all get back to all over; I have connected with people I know of,” Miller normal, and also keep ourselves and our from California to Florida to London to even China. Normally, I could take Stations are set up throughout the site to accommodate multiple cars at said. “All of the loved ones safe.” once in order to increase efficiency. Photo by Alice Adams. transmission in the day trips to visit those who live closer to Emmaus, but with COVID, I’m not able to. These online correspondences COVID-19 difficulties cause fluctuations in EPSD support continued for a while — we even staff employment introduced group Zoom calls with the girls who had been accepted so far — Greta Miller “I wouldn’t say that it was an overwhelm- they were because there was stability,” until someone brought up an idea that Features Editor ing number of staff or even a high number Emerich said. “...Rather than going into seemed so faint from our pasts: pen Heather Fabritze of staff. But we did have some that, you an unknown situation. And so it was just pals. In elementary school, I always News Editor know, once again, looked at their situation the security [of] kind of staying where wanted a pen pal, and this was a perfect The coronavirus pandemic has affected and then made the decision to resign.” you were.” opportunity; the world was shut down, employment for school district workers Of the staff members who resigned, Despite most people getting some sense and here was a way to communicate across the Lehigh Valley — none more so the majority were what could be consid- of stability from working in the same without having to look at a screen. than the East Penn School District’s aides ered support staff: food service workers, place with familiar people, not much else In December, I received my first and support staff. instructional assistants, and, of course, has remained constant for those who work letter, and for some reason, I was so Due to prolonged school closures in aides. The resignations resulted from a va- in schools. EHS, as Kieres describes, was excited. To me, there’s just something spring 2020, the reopening of schools last riety of issues, although a primary reason forced to “reinvent” their safety proce- about receiving mail that is so thrill- fall, and reallocation of staff to support was childcare. COVID-19 has made it dures in face of the pandemic, many of ing— whether it be a letter or a pack- hybrid instruction at the elementary difficult for parents with young children which have a heavy influence on how the age. Maybe it’s the fact that everything schools, Emmaus High began the 2020-21 on remote schedules to work on a regular, support staff do their jobs. Aides, janito- goes through text messages these days. school year with nearly eight to 10 vacan- or even hybrid, basis, without worrying rial staff, food workers, and instructional Or maybe it’s the notion that you never cies in staff. The number of applicants for about finding other stable childcare op- support, however, have done their part in know what’s inside until you open it. these positions, particularly special educa- tions. Other reasons, such as finding jobs ensuring that the transition is as smooth as Whatever it is, that first letter brought tion instructional assistants, has declined, closer to home or simply desiring a larger possible for students. me so much joy. leaving the Human Resources Department salary, are also potential incentives for Kieres, reflecting on the difficulties I promptly wrote my response and with minimum candidates despite mass resignations this school year. staff shortages have prompted, credits the mailed it the next day. I remembered job loss during the pandemic. EHS has neither lowered nor substan- importance of the school’s support staff in how to postmark a letter from my “There were positions that were partic- tially raised the pay of any of its employ- day-to-day school life. elementary school days; after writing ularly hard [to fill] — if we would post for ees during the coronavirus pandemic. “And I think that’s one thing that this the address, listing the return address, a special education instructional assistant, While Kieres believes that benefits and pandemic has really highlighted, not just and putting the stamp in the top right we might have a handful of candidates higher salaries would make a difference in in our district, but everywhere, is the re- corner, my letter was off, and I felt a that were possible,” said Dr. Kate Kieres, encouraging applicants, she is not sure the ally vital role that support staff members newfound sense of accomplishment. principal of EHS. “Now, we have some demand could be met, regardless. play in being able to run a school,” Kieres To me, the most enjoyable aspect of of those positions that have been perpetu- “I would think that there are districts said. “Not just from — I mean certainly this experience is probably that it’s not ally open because we just still cannot fill that offer salary and benefits to people in from a staffing perspective — but when online — it’s real. With everything be- them.” positions like this, but I’m not qualified we think about our special education ing online these days — school, social Despite the turnover rate for staff mem- enough to say whether it makes a substan- instructional assistants, these are the media, communicating with friends, bers being nearly identical to previous tial difference in the size of their applicant folks who are one-on-one assistance for even online books — the impact from years, East Penn employees were eligible pool,” Kieres said. “We have wonderful, students who need an adult with them all this is ever-growing, and the negatives to take a paid leave of absence under the wonderful people who do these jobs. But throughout the entire school day. They greatly outweigh the positives. After CARES Act. Staff members could take there aren’t enough people out there for are a huge, huge vital part in providing an sitting and staring at an electronic two weeks — or 80 hours — of paid the demand for the positions, for sure.” appropriate education for students.” screen for 75 percent of my day, I leave at two-thirds of their normal hourly Emerich also pres- begin to feel like a robot, with a raging wage to cover childcare needs, quarantine ents the theory that migraine. Writing letters allows me to due to contracting COVID-19, or other potential applicants communicate with friends in a stress- conditions related to the pandemic. An could be drawn more free, headache-free way. additional 10 weeks of paid leave could toward the safety and Not to mention, it presents me with be allocated in order to further meet stability of remaining something new (almost) every day. In those needs. Despite expiring at the end in a previous position today’s COVID-19 stricken world, each of 2020, this form of leave was used by over searching for new day seems like the one before: wake up, some staff members in EHS, although the employment. go to school, do homework, exercise, exact number is unavailable to the public. “I think with the sleep, and repeat. With the never-end- Sandy Emerich, who became the Inter- uncertainty that ing cycle continuing, receiving a letter im Human Resources Officer at Emmaus COVID created this in the mail is a pleasant break. in July 2020, finds that the turnover rate year, even if people So, while writing letters has become at the beginning of this school year would had that thought that a new hobby in my life, I hope it won’t have been “natural” in past years, despite maybe they would like be short-lived. Who knows? Maybe my several resignations due to COVID-19. to look for a position parents and hometown friends will be “We do have some staff that did opt to in another district, they receiving letters I write next year from Aides interact with students under new COVID-19 procedures. Photo eight hours away. resign in light of COVID,” Emerich said. decided to stay where by Meliha Anthony. NEWS THE STING ER MARCH 2021 3 Students reflect on first semester Caitlin O’Brien cut to just half the year, we’re moving much faster, which span to teach us everything. Likewise, the gap between News Editor can be really difficult.” first semester and the AP exam could be a bit risky, as This month marks one year since students first received The online format has undoubtedly thrown a wrench it’s easy to forget what you learned without consistent word that school would be closed for two weeks due to in many school courses that entail full-year commitments practice.” COVID-19. At the time, most high schoolers welcomed under typical circumstances, as well. Junior Kaitlyn Maley, another AP student, agrees: “I this impromptu “coronacation,” confidently joking to Benner, a member of ETV — a course offered at enjoy only having to focus on four classes at a time, but I their friends or bidding temporary farewells to teach- Emmaus in which students record the morning announce- really miss having those core classes. Now they only last ers. For many, however, March 12 was their last day in ments for the entire school body — reflects on this chal- for four months, and everything seems so rushed.” the school building, and what was at first regarded as a lenge and her feelings about the change. Maley also shares her thoughts on how the school can second winter break soon devolved into our worst night- “Block scheduling affected ETV the most,” she said. improve the scheduling model for next year, which will mare: a year of social isolation, national turmoil, and “Because we didn’t have the class for the first half of the follow an “A/B” block format that will bring back full- global mourning. year, so there was no ETV, which was disappointing for year classes. This new schedule will alternate between The past few months have been riddled with challenges me and other ETV members.” two sets of courses every other day as opposed to at the for Emmaus High School’s entire student body, especially Disappointment is a common theme among many end of the semester. as the teachers and administration scramble to find some EHS students, especially seniors, who have struggled to “Make school start a little later!” Maley said. “A nice semblance of normalcy in a time when everything seems find balance the past few months between new forms of 8 a.m. start time would benefit me. When I get that extra so uncertain. instruction, a global pandemic, and the air of uncertainty sleep, I feel so much more well-rested, and Part of this effort involved an asynchronous learn- surrounding their looming futures. Despite the toll these it’s worth it.” ing plan for the latter half of last year, which utilized difficulties have taken on in many high schools, several However next year looks, Senior Lila Ben- ner, member of self-paced work, optional office hours, and a comple- students, including Benner, have noticed a silver lining to students hope the experiences ETV, struggled tion-based grading system. While the best solution avail- the district’s new policies: the omission of midterm and and struggles of this school with the new able at the time, this schedule still lacked a crucial part of final exams. year will help inform a limitations of the educational experience: interaction. “I think it’s really nice that there’s no midterms or schedule and grading pro- block sched- In attempts to revive this crucial social component of finals this year,” Benner said. “I think with the pandemic cedure conducive to their uling. Photo learning, the administration drafted an entirely new plan and everything that’s going on in the world right now, it success and wellbeing in by Meliha at the start of this year that involved a novel semester would be a lot to ask of students.” subsequent years. Anthony. block schedule and hybrid instruction. The school also Liliana Roginski, another Emmaus senior, agrees with reverted back to the traditional grading system, with the Benner. Additional re- elimination of midterm and final examinations being the “The fact that there are no exams makes me extreme- porting by Ari only marked difference in the current procedure. These ly happy,” Roginski said. “...Midterms always felt like Bowman. decisions created a myriad of obstacles for both upper an unnecessary stressor in my life, because it would be and underclassmen, who had to adapt to online learn- a bunch of studying, and it felt almost unnecessary in a ing, higher expectations for work, and an untested block way.” format, beyond the already daunting task of adjusting to a Roginski, an Advanced Placement student, noted the new school year. effects that the semester block schedule has had on those Senior Lila Benner believes that semester block highly-accelerated courses and examinations, which fall scheduling, specifically, has often made learning more long after first-semester courses conclude and before the challenging. end of the second semester. “I think since the classes are so long, it’s really hard to “The biggest drawback to this format is the prepara- pay attention for the full time,” Benner said, referring to tion for the AP Exams,” Roginski says. “With the limited the 60-minute blocks, which are 20 minutes longer than amount of time, I feel like I am not as prepared as I was previous years’ class periods. “Since full year courses are in previous years, because teachers have a shorter time Teachers reflect on semester of virtual instruction Caitlin O’Brien their students, which is already challenging at school, let have persevered, although several other unprecedented News Editor alone at home. challenges arose when the administration finally imple- Caroline Schaffer To address this problem, Hunter employs breakout mented hybrid learning for EHS in late October, giving Staff Writer rooms, a feature on Zoom that enables her to divide her half of the students the opportunity to attend classes This past semester of virtual instruction has undoubt- class into smaller sections for more intimate discussions. in-person on a particular school day. edly posed its own unique set of challenges for everyone, “I think when we move to the big groups [after break- “I think the challenge [with hybrid learning] is making especially the teachers of Emmaus High School. Over out rooms] students are much more comfortable because sure the students who are remote are still involved with the past several months, EHS’ educators have worked they’ve already done a ‘dry run’ [in the breakout rooms] the class that’s present,” Stoudt says. “It just seems like tirelessly to create worthwhile learning experiences for and they’re comfortable with their ideas, and they feel a lot of things to manage at the same time, and I don’t their students despite new schedules, shorter class peri- more confident to share in such a large class,” Hunter want it to be so that my students who are in class are ods, restructured courses, and the lack of interaction that says. just sitting on a Zoom call the whole time, doing what makes education so impactful. During these breakout sessions, Hunter enjoys “drop- they would have done at home. It’s more problems with This has especially been the case for Pamela Hunter, ping in” to hear and facilitate her students’ discussions, technology and that I’m not involving everyone equally who teaches multiple history and gifted education classes often giving them group activities and progress checks, as — that’s my biggest fear.” at EHS. well. She mentions that Schoology is particularly condu- With the unpredictable attendance schedules, remote “We’re doing our best to get students back and en- cive to this, as teachers may use the platform to monitor instruction also possesses other caveats for several Em- gaged in the academic content, given the pandemic that task completion. maus teachers who have to juggle their children at home we’re in,” Hunter says. “I’m grateful for the fact that we As a calculus and computer science teacher, Beth during this time. have the technology to do this because if it was five or Stoudt overcomes unique hurdles of her own, given the Shannon Petrunak teaches her English classes com- 10 years ago, I don’t even know what we would be doing nature of her courses. For a mathematics subject, she pletely online while watching her four children, all of ... It’s a huge help that we have that resource and can points out, the online format does not interfere too drasti- whom are younger than 10. connect with students on a daily basis.” cally with typical instruction. “Our biggest struggle is keeping everyone separated That resource, the school-issued Chromebooks, enables “I have my iPad, and I project my notes just like they in their own workspace in a small house,” Petrunak says, students to log into Zoom during typical class blocks to would see in class, so that’s fine. Plus, everything is post- describing this experience as “controlled chaos.” “I usual- receive their instruction for the day. However, given the ed on Schoology, which is helpful,” Stoudt says. ly work at the kitchen table, so I relocate during meals, distractions and difficulties of online learning, teachers On the other hand, Stoudt emphasizes the struggles and my daughters work upstairs while my husband keeps are uniquely tasked with maintaining the attention of of teaching her multiple computer science classes, all of my sons occupied and quiet — which is no easy feat. My which, under usual circumstances, foster husband is the ringmaster of our circus [and] we adapt a collaborative environment among and roll with it.” students. To address this problem, she Regardless of these circumstances, Petrunak sees an started utilizing a website called Repl.it upside to online instruction in the form of spending extra in her courses, which enables enrollees time with her family. to write, edit, and share code, much like “During breaks, it’s nice to check up on my girls in a normal classroom format, minus the their virtual classes or squeeze in a hug while the boys proximity. retrieve a snack,” Petrunak says. “The extra time we’ve The adoption of new educational me- got to spend together, we will cherish forever.” dia and platforms appears to be a com- Overall, teachers overwhelmingly seem to miss the mon theme among our pandemic-strick- interactive aspect of in-person learning the most. en teachers, including Hunter, who notes “I miss my students being in the classroom—I miss a degree of adaptability, openness, and that personal interaction every single day, because I’m trial and error on her part. in here talking to the screen instead of my students, and “[Online learning] is making us think there’s no one else here,” Hunter says. “It breaks my outside the box and be more creative heart that the students aren’t in the classroom, but I know utilizing technology to the fullest ca- that the reason they’re not here except during hybrid [in- pacity we can ... And when we’re not in struction] is for everyone’s health and safety. I recognize class I’m converting more materials — that.” adapting resources to online, changing One day, students and teachers will hopefully be able activities that would be conducive to to engage face-to-face once again, but until then, educa- Elementary school students head for the busses after attending in-person school. in-person,” Hunter remarks. tors will continue working to ensure their students receive Photo by Bethany Brown. Despite these obstacles, most teachers the quality education they deserve. 4 THE STING ER MARCH 2021 Opinion Gross things we used to do before COVID Adithi Katikhaneni makes those who refuse to comply out of entire time. But now, even the idea of sing- THE STINGER Arts & Culture Editor concern for their “freedom” stick out like a ing with friends and making music feels Emmaus High School Devon Helmer sore thumb. like something to be extremely wary of. 500 Macungie Ave. Staff Writer The sight of these once-common facial Although the feeling of just coming in and Emmaus, PA 18049 Life as we knew it turned upside down features may stop you in your tracks whilst scream-singing your favorite songs into the EDITOR IN CHIEF one year ago. We acknowledge that this trying to buy your toilet paper or whipped mic you share with your partner is missed, Kristen Heilenman year brought pain to many, and its cons coffee; both of which are essential to pan- the realization of how much bacteria they tremendously outweigh its pros. Despite demic survival, of course. But, these people held is valuable. NEWS EDITOR everything, this year has gifted us one make for a fun scavenger hunt around your Creating and sharing music is an integral Heather Fabritze thing: copious amounts of time for reflec- local markets; in addition to being a source part of 21st century culture, and concerts tion. This reflection period left plenty of of “fun” for employees. where people gather and celebrate art have DEPUTY NEWS EDITORS time to think about life as it once was, the Band,Microphones,Concerts: been dearly missed over the last year. In Caitlin O’Brien, Belle Lees things we could never do now, just how Even in arts, the creativity in programs theory, concerts stand as festivals where gross our everyday lives were, and just like band now display a level of grossness people can come together and experience OPINION EDITOR how disgusting we as people really are. that previously wasn’t considered. Amid music with friends and strangers alike, Madison Mauro Nose, Lips, Chin: the rows of sectioned off band players with but in practice, the gathering can often be DEPUTY OPINION EDITOR Though there are things you could have shining instruments and synchronization sticky, hot, and overcrowded. As fans cheer Ari Bowman said a year ago about our current situation was also the dripping puddles of drool that and sing along with their favorite musi- that would have caused people to do noth- slid out of the woodwinds and brasses. The cians, it doesn’t take long for the sweat and FEATURES EDITOR ing short of collapse from pure shock, this inevitable collection of spit on the floor inevitable spray of spit to fill the air. Greta Miller one may take the cake: the idea of being was chalked up to be part of playing that With this new desire to shed our old, alarmed at the sight of a person’s nose, kind of instrument, but looking back, those gross habits, there is the added pressure DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR lips, or chin in a public setting. puddles only consisted of what made it to on teachers who are expected to uphold Rylee Dang A year into the pandemic, the concept the floor. Think now about all the flutes and extreme hygiene. With classrooms of just of masking to protect yourself and those trumpets that produce the same amount of a few students a day in hybrid learning, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR around you plays like a broken record. moisture, but instead of the spit valve and wiping down desks, supplies, and han- Jacob Welsko To add to this, we have evolved so much floor puddles other instruments experience, dles are new additions to an already busy DEPUTY ARTS & CULTURE EDITORS since the standard blue surgical masks send a spray that disperses throughout the routine for educators. And that’s excluding Thomas Hartill, Adithi Katikhaneni that were once so hard to find. Many have entire room. the stress of possibly being exposed to the taken this opportunity to add frills to their The music industry in general seems to virus every day. Although hygiene, atten- SPORTS EDITOR PPE: mixing it up with bright colors and have had a borderline unhealthy lack of tion to one’s personal space, and frequent Erick De La Rosa patterns, repping their favorite team, or personal space, as sharing studio micro- health checks have become the norm over matching their masks to their outfits. phones between people was the norm. Be- the past months, they do not come without DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR Regardless of how you choose to ing involved with music outside of school, the weight of the pain that urged them into Saraya Velez protect yourself, masking up is now an there was an admitted level of naïveté action in the first place. essential part of going out in public, the and love for just coming to the studio and Read the full story online at stingerehs. BUSINESS MANAGER new standard for businesses, stores, and jamming out without having to worry about com. Kristen Heilenman, Erick De La Rosa restaurants. Because we’ve gone so long wiping down and really cleaning the micro- PHOTO EDITOR without seeing the bottom half of faces, it phones that were up against our mouths the Meliha Anthony COPY EDITOR The ups and downs of finding love during a pandemic Aedan Whalen Payton McGlory we couldn’t. We mainly went on Staff Writer hikes and random walks because Alongside the breakout of his mom was very careful about the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus and took precautionary Editorial Policy the lengthy quarantine that steps to stay safe,” Steinert said. followed came feelings of But, despite these impedi- The Stinger is a student-run newspa- loneliness and isolation for ments, Steinert still found ways to per published six times per year and many people around the world, deepen their connection through continuously on its online publication, regardless of their relationship the use of everyday FaceTime stingerehs.com. The content, which is status. calls and messaging platforms the responsibility of the student staff, Personally, I entered isolation like Snapchat. is not subject to direct administrative with the mindset that I would This seemed to be the new approval. Designated as an open fo- complete everything I was normal for those exploring new rum, The Stinger serves to inform and pushing off before the corona- relationships and meeting new entertain readers with articles based on virus hit. This involved working people during the pandemic. This a wide variety of research for a broad out more frequently, reading was made much easier by some and diverse audience on topics decided new books, and watching of the top social media platforms movies I never could. In total, Illustration by Ari Bowman. such as Snapchat, which has fea- by the staff and editorial board on mat- I watched over 200 movies discovered numerous ways to overcome tures that deliver an even easier ters that are timely, relevant, compel- throughout the course of quarantine, these barriers and find love in a time where way to form new friendships or relation- ling, educational, and important to the including action movies, indie films, musi- it seemed the furthest thing from possible. ships, making it one of the most popular student body. The Stinger, which also cals, horror movies, and even a few doc- Madison Brzezinski, a current junior at applications for teens looking to meet new serves to enrich students interested in umentaries. However, my favorite genre EHS, said she discovered her most recent people while in isolation. print media studies, is a member of the to watch during this time was romance. relationship at a place one would never The other main platform used to commu- PSPA, JEA, and NSPA. Some of the tiles I viewed ranged from expect: a fast-food restaurant. nicate with others while confined at home Business classic 80s films like “Dirty Dancing” and “I met my ex-boyfriend during the pan- was FaceTime, a video call app built-in For advertising, contact business “Say Anything,” to newer releases like demic while he was working at the Chick- on almost every Apple device. Six of the managers Kristen Heilennan or Erick “Call Me By Your Name” and the reimag- Fil-A drive-through,” Brzezinski said. “He seven EHS students interviewed who were De La Rosa. ined Jane Austen classic, “Emma.” recognized me from school and we started in relationships over the course of the Romantic movies provide numerous talking and, eventually, dating after that.” pandemic said that FaceTime was their leading figures who are often viewed as She claimed she was more receptive to preferred method of communication. living the “ideal scenarios” for a relation- meeting new people after the pandemic Maintaining a consistent and comfort- Have an opinion and want to be ship, such as Audrey Hepburn’s Holly started, due to the prolonged isolation from able means of communication during heard? Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” society. difficult times is extremely important, espe- These plots, however, end up straying When asked about her relationship and cially for those in relationships. Letters to the editor are limited to 150 away from the reality of what being in a the struggles they encountered due to the It’s expected that these many forms of relationship nowadays is truly like. This is shutdown, Brzezinski explained many communication will continue to grow and words in length and can be submitted likely why romance movies have become challenges due to not being able to see one evolve alongside the ever-changing societal to [email protected]. Letters must so popular over quarantine while most another. norms of the dating world during the pan- include full names as well as contact relationships were far from thriving. This was not the case, however, for EHS demic. information for verification. Guest It’s extremely difficult to maintain a junior Emily Steinert who said her commu- As the one-year anniversary of quaran- contributions for editorial columns are normal relationship dynamic with anyone nication skills have evolved increasingly tine approaches, one can only hope that welcome and are limited to 2.5 pages when forced to isolate at home, which is because of the lockdown. She met her the students of EHS continue to keep an double-spaced. why I turned to platforms such as Zoom current boyfriend, Parkland High School open mind throughout all of these new They can be emailed to the staff, and Netflix Party at the start of quaran- senior Zane Ankrom, just a month before experiences. I encourage them to look to dropped off in Room 559, or mailed: tine. These applications made it easier to quarantine went into effect. Like many oth- Hepburn’s famous words throughout these The Stinger, EHS, 500 do normal activities with my friends and ers, she was forced to deal with navigating trying moments: family again. Still, meeting anyone new the dating world while not being able to go “The best thing to hold onto in life is Macungie Ave., Emmaus, 18049. seemed like a thing of the past. out, which she says was “definitely weird.” each other.” Despite these setbacks, multiple “When you first start dating normally, students of Emmaus High School have you go out with people and go on dates, but OPINION THE STING ER MARCH 2021 5 Blended Learning: Is it working? Finding sources of Madison Mauro for students’ ability to grasp content hybrid schedule, saying that “it’s unsafe Opinion Editor presented in class. When a school and also unfair to the teachers to make light in a COVID Sophia DePhillips goes all-in on technology to deliver them be around so many people. Since Staff Writer instruction, specifically in the hybrid cases are so high right now, it doesn’t world As the one-year anniversary of the model, it removes many of the supports make sense that they would offer hybrid Elizabeth Duerholz pandemic approaches and the virtual that having a teacher in the classroom learning, especially since it’s the same Staff Writer spring semester for students carries on, can deliver. Not to mention the actual as virtual.” Over the past year, I definitely had a lot of “the the East Penn School District hybrid technology that sometimes provides a There are countless variables to world is ending” moments, and it didn’t help that learning model has been called into roadblock to learning, such as connec- consider while analyzing the current I had hours upon hours to think about them. question by some, and simultaneously tivity issues and wi-fi outages. state of public education. In the best- Then I realized--I’m not alone. praised by others. Recently, a group of East Penn case scenario, schools can keep students During a normal year, you can catch me Hybrid learning can be the best, or parents have pushed for the district to and staff safe while providing them sprinting around my house grabbing tennis shoes worst, of both worlds. As the East Penn reopen schools and resume five-day with valuable in-person instruction that before practice, memorizing my lines for the community entered the 2020-21 school in-person learning, seeking signatures gives them the tools to do meaningful play, and studying for my math test as the door year, the expectation of year-long for an online petition. They do not stand schoolwork at home. At worst, teachers slams behind me. So last March, when activities hybrid learning was in question. It’s un- alone. In the same poll of 130 EHS are forced to cut corners on instruction, and events came to a screeching halt, so did I. sure when schools in the Lehigh Valley students, 67% said they would prefer a schools struggle to transition students After talking with other students at Emmaus will fully transition all students back return to in-person instruction. seamlessly from in-person to remote about their experiences, I discovered many of us into the physical classroom; distanced Junior Oliva Wolf understands that and vice versa, and students who are have had cancellations during the pandemic but learning could be with us through the hybrid learning may be the best option learning at home get left behind com- managed to create positives in our own, unique entire spring. for some students saying that, “I think pared to students who choose in-person way. I found that along with many of my peers, But at what point does the hybrid the hybrid learning implemented by the learning. I was disappointed in how the end of last year model get discarded? Should it be dis- school has been really beneficial for Generating a completely flawless, played out. carded, or will it become a permanent students who want or need in-person full-proof curriculum and instructional In the spring of 2020, I was one busy fresh- part of our educational landscape? instruction.” However, Wolf highlights approach amidst a global pandemic man. I love tennis, and at the time, I was playing Despite arguments that online learn- the importances of safety above all only a few months before school is two times a week indoors to prepare for the fall ing impedes students’ comprehension, else, “Although I understand that many scheduled to resume is no easy feat. season. On top of that, we were a week out from it can offer valuable lessons in time students are suffering from mental and In addition, the resources provided to performing the school musical, Hello Dolly!. management, collaboration, commu- emotional problems as a result of the school districts are limited. Congress We came so far and worked so hard: rehearsing nication, and self-discipline. Although current situation, I still do not believe has yet to follow through on plans for 4 to 5 hours every day after school. Similar- these skills are present while attending that safety guidelines should be ignored, a second multi-billion-dollar stimulus ly, I had been preparing for the Spring Chorus in-person learning, with adults there specifically regarding the number of package for education, and school Concert along with other members of Bella Voce. to consistently hold students account- students in classrooms.” budgets across the U.S. are becoming I couldn’t wait to finish off the year strong. But able, this year students must, for the Junior Ella Wiese believes that thinner as the effects of the pandemic then, school and tennis shut down, the musical first time, rely almost completely on remote learning is the safest option the toll local and state finances. The current and concert were cancelled, and all of a sudden, themselves. School in a virtual setting school can currently provide. Wiese hybrid model is perfectly imperfect for achieving my goals became an impossible feat. proposes a new application of skills that began the school year attending in-per- the circumstances under which it was During the chaos, my excitement lied within will help set students up for continued son learning using the hybrid model, developed. making it to the end of the year, where a vacation success after graduation. But adjusting and by the beginning of October, she The path that post-coronavirus to Bald Head Island, N.C., awaited me. We take to these new expectations is challeng- switched to fully remote due to safety education will follow will be very long, semi-annual trips to the island, with the company ing. In a poll taken of 130 Emmaus concerns. She says that the decision was full of pitfalls, and undoubtedly windy of my extended family from the South. I only see High School students, 47% voted that made because “cases started to rise and and complex. Although it may not be them a few times a year and I am always excited they felt their academic performance [her] family and [her] thought it would reassuring, passing the one-year mark for those trips. When we didn’t go this year, I in school improved, while 63% had a be safest to do remote. During hybrid of the pandemic has taught us all that was devastated. decline in academic performance. learning, people just logged into the we simply won’t know what works until It took awhile, but I came to the realization Pivoting to a fully online learning zoom like you did when remote, so it it does. For those who are criticizing that not all is lost, and I continued to look for- curriculum is undoubtedly a difficult made sense to stay home.” the district’s tireless efforts to please ward towards the future as a promise of hope. For adjustment. Virtual learning lacks the Wiese has since remained a remote everyone, heed this advice. many high school students, including myself, that in-person connectivity that’s crucial learner with no plans to go back to the meant further exploring college and career paths. I enjoy having a plan laid out for me, so I found comfort in researching future careers in law, communications, or my most recent possibility, Connectivity issues impede education psychology. I then began to see some positives drifting into Saraya Velez millions have opted to work from home, siblings’ devices for a quick connection, my life. We had been given the gift of time with Sports Editor some instances being involuntary. When while struggling to complete assign- no commitments. I was bored, to say the least, so March 13. A date that triggers a flash- asked, several Emmaus High School ments. productivity and the development of new hobbies bulb memory for students, educators, students reported being dropped from a Keeping pace with her advanced and goals became more of a requirement than a and millions across the nation. As the Zoom meeting at one point or another, placement and honors classes, senior luxury. anniversary date closed in, if someone with some being dropped multiple times Brynn Daley tends to find herself One of my aspirations is to be an excellent were to ask a year ago, “Where do you within a short period of time. wrapped up in situations that are seem- baker like my grandmother. After quarantining see yourself a year from now?” no one Some educators have high stan- ingly unmanageable. with a pack of sweet-toothed family members, I would have guessed, “In the era of dards of learning for students that are “Getting dropped from a Zoom improved my craft: baking everything from choc- online school.” unachievable in the environment that meeting gets really frustrating,” Daley olate chip cookies to my brother’s 12th birthday Students and teachers alike became some of them are in. Some students said. “You need a minute to really take cake. acclimated with virtual learning last spend more time troubleshooting than a breath, but if it’s during a class, you I find reading a great way to decompress, but spring following the global closure of retaining the information they learn in need to get back as soon as possible or in a normal year, the only reading I had time for schools. At the forefront of online learn- their classes. Options are limited in a you’ll miss something.” was school-related. Over the summer, I picked up ing was the issue of equity in which stu- remote setting with little opportunity Daley also shares the burden that reading for pleasure and continued into the new dents had access to the materials needed for interactive learning, encouraging comes with poor internet connection school year. to proceed with virtual learning. School two-dimensional thought at the expense and what contributes to it. Having five I also gained a new appreciation for poetry. districts that have a greater population of students’ mental health. siblings and living with one of them One day, I had the sudden urge to write my of low-income families tend to lag in With connectivity issues follows a full-time, she often feels on edge with thoughts down and it seemed the best way to do technological advancements that enable multitude of possible reasons. One is classes. so was in poem form. Poetry became one of my students to have a more comfortable the number of users within a household. The transition to virtual learning favorite hobbies and the best way to cope with learning experience. The Sunnyside According to Abhay Bhokar, the Direc- proves to be a learning curve for the quarrels of the world. I developed a new goal Unified School District in Tucson, Ariz. tor of Product Management for Netgear, millions globally as we continue to of writing enough poems to fill and publish a is a prime example of the disparity of “When multiple devices use the same navigate through what feels like count- book one day. opportunities among students and their network, overcrowding occurs as they less obstacles. It’s crucial for issues I related to many students when they discussed families. Here, many could not afford all compete with each other to connect such as connectivity and the undue using quarantine to connect with family and for internet access. To solve this, the district to the same router. This means low stress caused by it to be placed under a overall relaxation. Spending time with my friends presented free or reduced-cost Wi-Fi quality or buffering.” As the number of magnifying glass for everyone to view. has usually been a given that I’ve taken for for families that demonstrated financial users increases, the number of connec- Although to some it may seem like just granted. Now, I take every chance I have to call, hardship and qualified for free lunches. tion issues does as well. another minor inconvenience, to others text, FaceTime, or get together outdoors with my The socioeconomic status of families In a survey conducted by NBC News, it hinders their growth and serves as friends and family. Over the course of a year, I and the demographics of districts com- 51% of students surveyed shared that their justification for lost motivation. have had more meaningful conversations with parable to the Sunnyside Unified School they spend more time on homework The measures that districts are taking my close friends and family at home than I could District display a barrier between stu- since virtual learning was initiated with to bridge the gap between struggling have ever had before. For myself, I have been dents and their pursuit of a better future. the average number of hours increas- students and their education are ongo- trying to work on my mentality--worrying less When granted access to Wi-Fi, devices ing from 2.7 to three hours a night. ing. The reshaping of education and about being perfect and doing everything right, often have to compete for connection, Reliance upon internet connection is its aspects of connectivity marks the and more about simply enjoying life. and when doing so, they have a tenden- one thing that has inflated since the beginning of the end of an era contin- COVID temporarily discouraged many cy to run slower. pandemic began. A majority of assign- gent on counterproductive practices students, including myself, but I believe it gave In addition to the connectivity issues ments were forwarded online to avoid such as setting expectations that exceed us all time to reflect on our lives and what truly that some low-income families are contact between students and teachers, one’s ability. If there’s one takeaway, matters. I’m certain if you ask any of your peers, faced with, some also harbor multiple and pdf versions of several textbooks it’s that everyone is doing their best in they will tell you the world is not ending. In fact, children which, in many cases, can were provided as an alternate source. the conditions we’re in. they will probably astonish and inspire you with interfere with internet connection and Students find themselves behind a com- their positivity and drive to continue to succeed. speed. And with the era of COVID-19, puter screen for hours on end combating

6 FEATURES Coronavirus by the numbers:

Rylee Dang to be resolved quickly,” Kieres said. “I would say within as it was just another item people had to remember to Features Editor those first two weeks, it was pretty clear to me that it was take with them along with their keys and wallet. Sydnie Howard a longer haul than two weeks.” Sophomore Robert Sallash realizes the importance of Staff Writer wearing a mask in public, regardless of the fact that it An announcement pours over the speakers at Emmaus took time to get used to. High School during eighth period on March 12: “Empty Closing Businesses “At first, I was very upset to have to wear a mask, out your lockers in case we do not return to school.” but then as time went on I began to get more used to it,” The auditorium, packed with students shoulder to On March 19, 2020, Gov.Wolf announced the closure Sallash said. “I realized that if I wore it I could do more shoulder, bursts into chatter as they wonder if the an- of all non-life-sustaining businesses in order to slow the things and not feel as worried about getting sick myself nouncement is serious and school will not be in session. spread of COVID-19. or getting others sick.” Gossip continues as students leave for the day, and Jobs, money, food, and livelihood were jeopardized Wearing a mask is no new concept for senior Johanna concern about the pandemic brewing in Wuhan grows. and put on the back burner for millions of Pennsylva- Lettera, as she works for Lehigh Valley Hospital as a di- What was once a virus in a country on the other side of nians who were suffering along with the entire nation. etary aide and has witnessed the evolution of coronavirus the world blew into a deadly national pandemic, breaking No working citizen could have prepared for what was to firsthand. As the virus ramped up, so did sanitation, and down the concept of what everybody knew as “normal.” unexpectedly come: unemployment, and especially filing the protection employees had to wear. The inside joke of never returning to EHS instantly for it. “Obviously we were wearing masks before the public became a reality. The national unemployment rate started at 3.6 percent was wearing masks, so at the beginning that was some- Dr. Kate Kieres was prepared for an announcement in January, and skyrocketed to a record of 14.7 percent thing that I was more mindful about… that was starting from Gov. Tom Wolf in the coming days, outlining in April amid statewide shutdowns. As of last November, to be like a mandate for us,” Lettera said. “And then it instructions for high schools’ operation with the impend- it’s decreased to 6.7 percent; however, people of color started getting into if you’re going up on patient floors, ing virus. On March 13, as students were at home for a still struggle with unemployment above any other racial it’s wearing protective eyewear goggles, things like that, teacher inservice day, the principal received the message group. because they didn’t know how much protection people that Pennsylvania schools had to shut down for the next George Lewis, vice president of communications needed against it. So I think that I was just more aware two weeks in light of the growing danger. and marketing at CACI International Inc., realizes that of how it could be spread so easily rather than like the “At the time we were just anticipating that we were although unemployment rates are dropping, certain popu- average Joe Schmoe that walks on the street, you know.” going to be closed for a couple of weeks and that was lations are having more difficulty than others. sort of a catastrophe,” Kieres said. “I was just sort of in “It is positive news that Lehigh Valley’s unemploy- shock and everybody was uncertain about what was com- ment rate continues to recover, but the recovery has not Return to School ing… As a principal, my mind was just swirling in terms been linear nor equal among all industries and regions,” of all of the things that we would need to do in order to Lewis said in a press release, “We continue to track the Through the summer, instead of basking in the sun and try and support students, support teachers.” data, which has changed as recently as the last few weeks traveling to new places, the warm months of 2020 were School was on a hiatus for the next three weeks, as and is not reflected in the November numbers.” spent huddled indoors, as cases and deaths skyrocketed families stayed at home with their eyes glued on news While millions grappled with ways to keep their busi- all throughout the country. broadcasts and press conferences. It was not until April nesses open, adjusting atmospheres to accommodate the August quickly neared, and the new school year was 6 that school was back in nationwide pandemic and now approaching. However, returning fully in person session -- online, albeit -- as Wolf’s protocols, a flood was not an option due to the number of cases in the students began learning one of relief for many soon Lehigh Valley, which had now reached 1,061, according lesson per week, assigned to came. On March 25, Wolf to the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health. A hybrid model was them through Google Class- announced financial aid to introduced to students for the new school year, which room. According to the New small businesses through a entailed splitting students based on their last name, and York Times, that same day, new program under Penn- attending school in-person for two or three days each Pennsylvania reported 1,485 sylvania Industrial Devel- week. Students also still had the option to remain com- new coronavirus cases, with opment Authority’s (PIDA) pletely virtual due to safety concerns or preference. 129 of them in the Lehigh called the Small Business Sophomore Hannah Horvath chose to attend school Valley. First fund. remotely, due to concern for caring for her three-year-old Senior Grace Comfort However, a staggering brother while her parents were at work. was in a state of disbelief three months later, Wolf “I’m fully remote just because sometimes my broth- with the announcement of the school closure, as her announced that Pennsylvania would be moving from the er has off, [and] we have to help watch him so it’s just thoughts raced to unfinished business like AP exams and red to yellow phase. This allowed restaurants to open easier to stay home and I feel like I manage my time,” not being able to say goodbye to her teachers. outdoor dining, reopen child care facilities, and business- Horvath said. “I definitely like going in just because you “You always think, ‘oh, that happens to other people, es with in-person operations. Meanwhile, spas, hairdress- get to have more social interaction, but at the same time I and I wish I could help them,’ or ‘I wish I could have ers, gyms, and massage therapy businesses remained like how I get to manage my time differently like day to resources that would make this better for them,’ but you closed. International mail was also impacted, as packages day just depending on what I have to do.” almost kind of think ‘oh well just it’ll just never happen and mail were delivered at slower rates than normal. Changing conditions and a lack of students in the to me.’ Then when I realized this is happening every- Hailey Stefanov, junior at EHS and small business building has proven difficult for many teachers. So- where… I was just like, ‘oh so this is a more serious owner of Hailey Paige Jewelry, has been hit with ship- cial studies teacher Eric Luckenbill loves making new problem than it was kind of made out to be,’ and I was, ping delays. connections with his classes and students every year, but really, I was in a lot of disbelief.” “I didn’t have any problems with shipping delays or seeing his students on a two-inch box on his computer Most of all, Comfort misses the feeling of being in the rates until November [or] December,” Stefanov said. screen provides a completely different environment for Vaccines school: walking down the hall, senior traditions she isn’t “The post offices were getting hit with cases and the his class. able to take part of, and seeing her teachers face-to-face, packages were piling up. Since so many of the employ- “I didn’t realize how much I missed having students Within a tragic, endless nightmare, a glimmer of what many not through a screen. Comfort’s only normal school year ees were getting sick and it was the holiday season, or- in the classroom until we got back to hybrid and I got to thought was lost has surfaced: hope. was her freshman year, as the flood of 2018 affected her ders were taking anywhere from four days to four weeks see kids in person. That meant a lot to me, and it gave COVID-19’s year-long reign of taking lives, shattering all sophomore year, and the coronavirus pandemic took over to arrive.” me hope that we would be able to get through this thing,” aspects of health, ripping apart friends and family, and re- her junior and senior year, respectively. However, she Despite mail delays, retail store closures, and other Luckenbill said. “Wearing masks is a bummer, but I’ll ducing lives to a relentless everyday cycle, had been plunged believes that while it is unfortunate that she only had one pandemic impacts, Stefanov has pulled a positive out of wear three masks if I can get a classroom full of kids with a needle. In December 2020, the reality of a functioning year of a true “high school experience,” she is better for the pandemic’s reign of terror on small businesses. again.” vaccine was just around the corner and being distributed it. “I think the pandemic helped me because I was forced Hands-on experiences have been eliminated, as social nationwide. “Ninth grade was the only normal year of high school to start selling online,” Stefanov says. “It allowed me to distancing and remote learners have limited the resources The first person to get vaccinated in the Lehigh Valley was that I had, and it’s definitely interesting, and it makes you expand my audience and achieve my ideal demograph- that the school has been able to provide for them. Art Chantel Branco, a nursing director from Coopersburg. Her more of a resilient person which I’m grateful for,” Com- ic.” teacher Lexi Soboleski has been assembling kits for her team has spent months on the frontlines battling the virus at fort said. “But it definitely makes you sad thinking about students during the course of the year so they can still the Lehigh Valley Hospital while cases and deaths consumed just the connections that I missed out on this year… I just make art, even while at home. Pennsylvania and the nation. miss smiling and waving to people in the halls. I am very Mask Mandate “We’ve had to adapt all of our projects and ask “We’re still in it with the long haul,” Branco said in a much that person [and] I feed off of that, so I miss that ourselves some new questions: How can we send clay Lehigh Valley press release. “But with the vaccine here I feel for sure.” As the concern for safety grew with the number of cas- home? How does paint travel best? What tools are safe like someone turned the light on at the end of the dark, long The duration of the pandemic was still unknown to es, systems had to be put in place to stop the spread. to send home, and for the ones that aren’t, what are al- tunnel.” many during the shutdown, but as cases rose and aware- Gov. Wolf recommended that all Pennsylvanians ternatives?” Soboleski said. “Putting together art kits for Across the state, more than 1.98 million people have been ness of the virus’ dangers grew, it became clear that the wear masks in early April, and quickly moved to require students was fun in a way, but having to send kits home vaccinated, while the Lehigh Valley Hospital strives to vac- pandemic would not be over any time soon. masks in public on April 18. This meant that in all for every single student limited the scope and scale of the cinate at least 5,000 per day. Although skepticism and worry “There was this pretty quickly dawning awareness grocery stores, restaurants, and offices, customers were projects that students usually create.” over the safety of the vaccine due to the short amount of time that we were entering something that no one was really required to wear masks unless eating or drinking. The it was manufactured has frightened many. prepared for, and that it wasn’t something that was going introduction of wearing masks was a struggle for many, Madison Dennington, a junior at EHS works as a dietary 7

Statistics according to CDC.

AA yearyear ofof How one virus flipped the world upside-down COVID-19COVID-19

(Top right) Let’s Play Books! in Emmaus closed temporarily due to COVID-19. Photo by Alice Adams. (Middle) A student logs on to remote classes. (Bottom) Students return to school during the pandemic wearing masks. Photos by Meliha Anthony.

aide at South Mountain Memory Care, an assisted living facil- out of this pandemic without their mothers, fathers, grandpar- Vaccines ity. Dennington, who received the two full doses of the Pfizer ents, neighbors, and community members. Many died without vaccine was reluctant before she fully agreed to receive it. their loved ones by their side, communicating their last words Within a tragic, endless nightmare, a glimmer of what many Dennington wasn’t the only one with concerns about the through a phone while doctors and nurses held onto their thought was lost has surfaced: hope. vaccine. According to an AP-NORC poll in mid-May, fewer weak hands. COVID-19’s year-long reign of taking lives, shattering all than 50 percent of Americans said they would get the corona- With the looming national death toll of 524,000, according aspects of health, ripping apart friends and family, and re- virus vaccine. Fast forward to today, 11.5 percent of the U.S to the CDC, nothing is comparable to the feeling of losing ducing lives to a relentless everyday cycle, had been plunged population has been vaccinated for COVID-19. a loved one. Questions still arise if the deadly impact of with a needle. In December 2020, the reality of a functioning “The day after I got my second shot, I tried to tell myself COVID-19 could have been lessened with harsher precautions vaccine was just around the corner and being distributed I wasn’t feeling it because I didn’t want all the people who and earlier governmental action. nationwide. were against the vaccine to say anything,” Dennington said. “I As to where coronavirus came from, the world is still The first person to get vaccinated in the Lehigh Valley was already heard enough from them.” searching for a direct answer that is responsible for the havoc Chantel Branco, a nursing director from Coopersburg. Her Sonia Iparraguirre, a registered nurse and the first to receive this virus has wreaked in every country, in every community, team has spent months on the frontlines battling the virus at the vaccine at St. Luke’s Hospital, strives to inform and assure and in every person’s life. the Lehigh Valley Hospital while cases and deaths consumed her community of the vaccine’s safety. Most importantly, mental health during the pandemic has Pennsylvania and the nation. “I want people in our community to know that the vaccine been challenged for many. According to KFF.org, 56 per- “We’re still in it with the long haul,” Branco said in a is safe and that if they want it, they should get it,” Iparraguirre cent of young adults have reported symptoms of anxiety and Lehigh Valley press release. “But with the vaccine here I feel said in a St. Luke’s press release. “It protects their health and depression. Days are repeating and seemingly endless. Job like someone turned the light on at the end of the dark, long the health of our community.” losses, universities and schools closings persist for months on tunnel.” end. Across the state, more than 1.98 million people have been Whether it’s friends, family, pets, a job, food, school, a vaccinated, while the Lehigh Valley Hospital strives to vac- Current Day good book, your phone, a TV, many components have dis- cinate at least 5,000 per day. Although skepticism and worry tracted or helped many through the toughest times. over the safety of the vaccine due to the short amount of time While healing and “moving on” may be viable solutions for With the world healing its several wounds, some bearing it was manufactured has frightened many. some, for others, that is not the case. scars, the beginning of the end seems to finally be upon us. Madison Dennington, a junior at EHS works as a dietary For millions of families worldwide, many will be emerging Additional reporting by Eleanor Creelman.

8 THE STINGER | MARCH 2021 CULTURE Arts Culture New Zealand& fest reminds artists of past concert experiences Jacob Welsko these shows tentatively plan to occur this Arts & Culture Editor year, but with the state of the pandemic, With artists like The Weeknd announc- everything is still up in the air. Luckily, ing 2022 tour dates in early February, as many entertainers plan to reclaim music fans and concertgoers grow even venues, new restrictions and protocols more anxious for the permanent return of have been put in place to accommodate live performances. concertgoers. Since COVID-19 put the tradi- Ticketmaster produced a webpage full tional concert experience on hold for of event information such as ticket flex- many months, artists have improvised ibility, safety requirements, and FAQs. by playing shows from home as well Masks will obviously be required by as smaller, distanced venues. Concert audience members, social distancing will attendees became even hungrier for live be expected, and hand sanitizer stations shows when New Zealand held a festi- will be provided. In addition, the concert val in late December. According to New grounds and surfaces will be thorough- Musical Express, 20,000 people attended ly sanitized and cleaned before, during Gisborne’s Rhythm and Vine Festival to and after events. Along with these new witness acts like BROODS, Fat Freddy’s regulations, fans will be subjected to des- Drop, and Benee. The COVID-scarce ignated entry times in order to “promote New Zealand, which reportedly has fewer social distancing and reduce exposure,” than 80 cases of the coronavirus at the as well as being asked to submit no con- moment, had audience members on top Attendees watch the Rhythm and Vine festival in Waitangi. tact temperature checks before entering. of each other and packed on the concert Lastly, some shows will be drive-in only, grounds from Dec. 29-31. Photographs artists, Doctur Dot said, “They had us like with New Zealand’s return to normalcy meaning spectators will be requested to from the event almost seem eerie and look all in separate hotel rooms. And it was like and usual live experiences, where does stay in or close to their vehicles during the like lost artifacts from the pre-pandemic [the] military outside. We got the COVID that leave the rest of the world? time of the performance. world. test about three, four times [a week] Despite opposing COVID-19 condi- Everything is subject to change within New Zealand provided another festival maybe. Like every two days, they would tions around the world compared to New the age of the coronavirus, but with new in early January. The Bay Dreams Festival do another test. It was a very serious Zealand, many acts have rescheduled their rules and regulations set in place for rocked on Jan. 3 and included perfor- process,” according to Billboard. Perhaps postponed tour dates from 2020 to this concerts, there is still much optimism for mances from EARTHGANG, Friction, these stern quarantine guidelines are what year. For instance, according to Billboard, their permanent restoration. Hopefully, as HP Boyz, Holy Goof, and more who need to be incentivised in order for artists Queen and Adam Lambert are still set to more and more shows take place in the were listed as “internationals confirmed to make their ways back to concerts. commence the European portion of their forthcoming months, nothing too severe to quarantine.” In a recent interview with Evidently, New Zealand plans to con- tour in May. Other artists, from Foo Fight- or detrimental will happen to prevent safe Billboard, Atlanta duo EARTHGANG’s tinue holding more festivals in the very ers to Justin Bieber to Green Day, will and exciting concert experiences from Olu (a.k.a Johnny Venus) described the near future. On March 27 and 28, Cu- also return to the stage for 2021. Rock materializing. experience as “ecstatic [...] It was amaz- baDupa will make a comeback after being band Mötley Crüe will join Poison, Joan ing, it was magical, it was a reminder of cancelled last year. The event expects to Jett and Def Leppard for The Stadium how magical it can be.” When discussing bring some 100,000 attendees together Tour, marking their first gigs together as a the strict quarantine for international to see a wide array of various artists. So, band again since 2015’s “final” tour. All of COVID-19 limits movie theaters' appeal

Thomas Hartill with a cold, isolated feeling; a feeling which has become jector light up and witnessing a technical marvel unfold Arts & Culture Editor increasingly familiar in the past year. Even disregarding in front of your eyes. The landscape of the movie theater industry is rapidly the condition of movie theaters when they are open, one So, while theaters may be operating, it would be a changing. It had been changing even before every theater cannot even guarantee how long they will be open, as gross mistake to consider it anything near what they shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But even more can be seen by the temporary closure for the month of used to be. While cinemas in their current state do offer so than the industry as a whole, the movie-going experi- December and the condition of some theaters only being a grand format for audiences to watch new releases, the ence has dramatically shifted. open on the weekends. lack of a consistent, large group of people to share the ex- If one can find the courage to do so, it would be Looking back on the days of highly anticipated su- perience with is truly detrimental. It hurts to look at what beneficial to think back to March of 2020, an important perhero blockbusters feels like a distant memory. To put once was a vibrant part of American culture, now left month to say the least. Even prior to the full lockdown, it simply, movie theaters are not the same as what they scrounging for any support it can find. While COVID-19 movie theaters seemed to be in a peculiar situation. used to be. What audiences love about movie theaters has affected an incomparable number of industries and While many publications scratched and clawed for any is not the large screens, the blasting speakers, or the businesses, it is clear that movie theaters have taken some chance to declare the oh-so-dramatic “death of the movie concerningly overpriced popcorn. What audiences love of the heaviest hits. One can only hope that 2021 brings a theater,” things actually seemed to be going pretty well. is audiences. To go to a movie theater is to escape one’s new rebirth of such an integral part of American culture. Yes, streaming services slowly bit out a larger and larger troubles, if only for a brief moment, but what makes chunk of the market, but 2019 saw record highs for many it so special is the other 50 people seeking the box office statistics, including the release ofAvengers: same escape. What makes it so special is the Endgame, the latest film to become the highest grossing shared experience of laughing together, of all time. On top of this, more and more films reached crying together, and going on the one billion dollar mark, including Joker, and foreign a journey together. films likeParasite carved out a greater portion of public On the other discourse than ever before. hand, that isn’t to In any case, the future looked bright for movie the- discredit the ben- aters. That is, until a pandemic caused the closure and efits of the big subsequent downfall of countless theaters around the screen itself. As globe. From March to July of 2020, a majority of theaters is the case with across the country remained shut off from movie-goers. many films, a Countless anticipated films saw their release dates pushed core part of back to 2021 and beyond. The films which kept their the experience release dates found themselves relegated to a new trend is the grand of digital releases, something which no filmmaker wants scale of the to happen to their films. auditoriums. Thus, when cinemas began their reopening across the Watching a film United States last summer, many wondered what the like Dunkirk on a movie-going experience would look like. Despite this, it tiny iPhone screen appeared not many were curious enough to actually go simply does not do see this first hand. Box office numbers reflected atten- it justice. Even a dance even lower than was allowed with the reduced TV screen may capacity regulations. Major blockbusters like Tenet prove good enough received a modest but frankly disappointing profit. A for rewatches, but majority of films screened were previously released clas- nothing can beat sics with very few new films included. Attendance very the experience of Emmaus Theater. rarely reached above 10 movie-goers, leaving the theaters watching the pro- Photo taken by Alice Adams.

CULTURE THE STINGER | MARCH 2021 9 Television and film incorporate coronavirus on screen Adithi Katikhaneni attempts to demonstrate social distancing Arts & Culture Editor and consistent mask wearing, the show The entertainment industry was no ex- set in Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital ception to the countless businesses forced upholds strict protocols. Journalists from to reinvent themselves after the pandemic the Business Insider, who worked with struck. But after the pandemic disrupted medical professionals, described it as one the production of many fan favorites, of the most accurate representations of life some popular networks took advantage of as a front line worker. The writers take television’s rebirth in late 2020 to create care to avoid overdramatizations of the entertainment that reflected reality more very real struggles that healthcare work- accurately than ever, resulting in modern ers, patients, and general citizens live with media now preserving masked faces and every day, demonstrating an admirable virtual gatherings in Hollywood’s version level of research and thought. of a time capsule. However, this authenticity to reality Creators during this era are given un- is lacking in other TV dramas. As some likely circumstances that open more doors writers incorporate the pandemic in their for experimentation than anticipated. works, shows like “NCIS” and “All Rise” Globally, the way people live their lives set their scenes of life-like crime and now looks very different, and reality TV justice in fictitious socially distanced set- shows have picked up on this as a way to tings. With inconsistent masking and fre- not only remain consistent with pandemic quent breaches of social distancing, these protocols, but also immortalize the pan- “This Is Us,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” and Law & Order: SVU” showcase characters in masks in productions failed to accurately portray demic’s effects on people’s lives through many recent episodes. the virus and the crucial safety protocols their art. As commercials with masked that groups like the World Health Orga- characters promote video chat formatted these films rarely ever aired during times in television is the fact that from a big nization and Centers for Disease Control shows like NBC’s “Connecting…” and of crisis, which is why it is puzzling that picture perspective, there is no other time beg the public to follow. These shows “Social Distance,” viewers are exposed viewers now still lean toward such emo- to do it. may have been better off opting out of this to an ultra-realistic view of daily life, tionally taxing shows. “A year from now, people don’t want creative decision, as they fell far short of something that can be celebrated when ac- Temple University’s film history and to see [the pandemic], so the best time for what audiences would expect. knowledging the flexibility of the creators theory professor, Chris Cagle, comments this is now,” said Cagle. It’s expected that, To viewers like sophomore AnneMa- to so seamlessly adapt to the new normal. that this continued preference for nega- in the ideal post-pandemic world, people rie Mont, a regular watcher of television Historically, during times of suffering tive television could be because network would like to learn from the lessons this shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” these like the current pandemic, audiences pref- television shows simply are not the place past year has taught them, without having sloppy productions feel as though “they ered uplifting, lighter shows. But nowa- that viewers seek out lighthearted content to be reminded of the experience in televi- are just using [the pandemic] for a story days, one look at a prime time program when streaming services like Netflix, sion shows. line,” something that she says “just feels guide reveals heavy stories like “This is Hulu, and YouTube specialize in on de- As writers chose whether or not to take wrong---it’s disrespectful.” Us,” “NCIS,” and “Law & Order: SVU.” mand uplifting entertainment. advantage of this new opportunity for However, regardless of the creative This contrasts with periods like the post “Network television still continues to- realism, titles like “Grey’s Anatomy,” liberties taken by writers during this time, World War II era, when viewers indulged day, [but] sitcoms don’t do nearly as well “NCIS,” “South Park,” and more began and how “lifelike” their creations may in happy-go-lucky sitcoms and network as they used to,” Cagle said. portraying life post March 2020, mirroring be---TV shows inevitably end. Viewers comedies as a way to forget the trauma Despite the love for comedic distrac- the effects of the pandemic with varying sit down, press play, and enjoy a made- and move forward---a trend that remained tions, network television shows simply are degrees of accuracy. up storyline that, after the span of about prevalent until about 30 years ago, when not the place that viewers seek out light- Returning for a 17th season, the ac- thirty minutes to an hour, will be over. psychologically complex stories like hearted content in a time when streaming claimed medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” As the credits roll, the viewer is suddenly M*A*S*H began making their way into services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube made the seemingly obvious choice to alleviated of the plot’s stress and emotion- nightly television. specialize in on demand uplifting enter- acknowledge COVID-19--even devot- al turmoil, something that unfortunately Although the expectation for emotion- tainment. ing the entire season to the pandemic. In cannot be done in reality, no matter how al complexity grew in audiences’ tastes, Another facet of incorporating COVID contrast to other dramas that made weak hard they try. Local restauruants to support during pandemic Jacob Welsko home satisfied. The chicken fried rice for $12 is an Arts & Culture Editor excellent choice and comes in a stuffed container filled Although the pandemic inflicted a strain on most to the brim with rice, chicken and egg bits. Their butter dining establishments, there still stand many local restau- naan bread ($3) makes for an incredible addition to this rants that offer delicious food with a side of safety. dish. Also, throw in some spicy masala fries ($3) for a Since COVID-19 has put the dining experience on flavorful blast in one meal. Cumin N Eat allows for dine pause, most small and locally owned restaurants had in, curbside pickup and no-contact delivery. to think fast to stay afloat during this time. While some close food joints offer distanced dine in, a large portion of restaurants have moved to takeout only to cater to customer’s appetites and safety concerns. Here are four local eateries with quality food choices to support and check out. Brookside Deli is a quick and convenient restaurant for takeout whether you’re craving a burger, chicken sandwich, deli club or soups and salads. The clubs offer various meats from turkey and ham, and are jam packed with whatever toppings and condiments a customer’s heart desires. The BBQ bacon burger is a beautiful mess Asian Bistro’s chicken fried rice with egg roll. of sloppy goodness for $7, best served with a side of the deli’s fantastic, fresh french fries. Although the menu is fairly expansive, Brookside Deli does not sacrifice the quality of their items for the quantity of them. Brookside Deli gives customers the options of takeout and delivery. Cumin N Eat is an exquisite Indian restaurant packed with enough variety to send any customer Spinach pie with cheese cigars from Sahara.

Sahara Mediterranean Cuisine is a solid choice for dining that has a plethora of appetizers and an array of salads, platters and sandwiches. Their hummus ($6.99) can bring anything to life, and compliments their chips excellently. Additionally, the cheese cigars ($4.99) and spinach pie ($5.49) make for solid appetizers before dig- ging into the main course. Speaking of main courses, the chicken shawarma sandwich ($9.99) is a cornucopia of flavors through its marinated chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and damped with garlic sauce wrapped nicely in a pita bread. Lastly, order some fresh french fries ($3.99) to really complete the eating experience. Sahara provides curbside pickup for customers. Asian Bistros is a surefire cuisine with a fairly exten- sive menu catered to any eater’s palette. Customers can never go wrong with getting the chicken with broccoli (pt. $5.99 and qt $9.99) or the chicken fried rice (small Cumin N Eat chicken fried rice with butter naan $4.50 and large $7.50). Both dishes are enhanced with an bread. accompanying egg roll ($1.50) on the side. Asian Bistros All photo taken by Jacob Welsko. offers both curbside pickup and contact free delivery. 10 THE STINGER | MARCH STINGEREHS.COM An athlete’s SPORTS perspective Athletes continue despite fan limits on this year’s Saraya Velez do so. Groups are prohibited from com- to be there for each other and work hard Sports Editor ing in direct contact with others and the for the team,” Hallman said. “I hope next seasons Madison Mauro mixing between groups should remain season we can have more spectators to Opinion Editor limited. bring the special energy back into the Eleanor Creelman Balancing the pandemic’s impact The precautions implemented for the gym.” Deputy Editor on virtual learning, mental health, and 2020-2021 season impacted thousands As she moves toward senior year, It’s a Tuesday night, there’s a boys friendship, student-athletes have not only of athletes across the state. The sense of Hallman anticipates a different atmo- basketball game. I run through my mental been stripped of their normal sports sea- normalcy was lost and athletes had to sphere of fans at the games. She hopes to checklist; I’m wearing my greenies, my son, but they’ve been forced to put their adjust to face new circumstances. This return to a final season for where she and bodysuit, shell, skirt, water bottle, poms, passion on hold. meant limited crowds for all student her teammates can hear the loud crowds bow, and of course, my mask. Last August, the Pennsylvania Inter- athletes. that contribute to an unimaginable Our team mask looks kind of cute, in all scholastic Athletic Association issued a Senior Brandon Camire, running back energy. honesty. There’s a little hornet half shielded press release in late August regarding the of the Emmaus High School football Achieving normalcy during uncertain by the big “E” for Emmaus on the bottom plans for the fall sports season following team, experienced the solemnity of a times is no easy feat, yet boys soccer right corner. Being black, the new addition a compromise with Gov. Tom Wolf’s pandemic-era sports season. Compared drove home a fantastic championship to the uniform kind of throws off our green, staff. Schools across the state would have to his previous three years playing season, despite rather empty stands. The gold, and white color scheme, but fashion authority over how they proceed with for Emmaus, this fall’s practices were team was awarded the District 11 4A may suffer so safety can prevail. As the sports adhering to their own health and limited into brackets of six players per championship trophy. virus has done to all other areas of life, safety guidelines in lieu of the organiza- training session. Yet, Camire and his EHS senior Edward Zellner said that COVID-19 has immensely changed sports tion providing a “one-size-fits-all” plan. team persisted through the unusual the key to his success this season in soc- at the high school level. The East Penn School District partnered circumstances and focused on improve- cer was keeping a determined mindset. Before I get into it, let me refute what with the Lehigh Valley Health Network ment, rather than what they had lost. “I don’t think COVID really affected your initial thought may be: “But cheer to ensure there was and continues to be a “The spectator part was more of an ex- our spirits at all,” Zellner said. “We all isn’t a sport.” Competition cheer absolutely solid and frequently updated plan mov- perience thing,” Camire said. “I’m sure knew the precautions we had to take to counts as a sport. No doubt. If you disagree, ing forward. Wearing masks, practicing every senior would want as many people be able to play, and we all took them take a look at some routines All Star cheer social distancing, and checking tempera- as they could going to their games, but seriously. If anything, it made us even teams put together and ask if your favorite ture before every practice are few of the I’m happy with the ones I got.” more motivated to play.” quarterback could do half of these stunts. many guidelines athletes have to follow. While his final games were different, Zellner feels that when an audience is Or, go binge the Bring It On movies. Either Although there is a general consensus he remained optimistic. Camire plans to cheering him and his teammates along, way-- strength, team work, communication, as to what guidelines are required among attend Delaware Valley University in the particularly when a goal is scored, it as well as competing, all present them- all sports, some are molded to fit the fall to continue his athletic career. encourages him to play better and moti- selves in cheer. Some of the most agile, sport at play. In past volleyball seasons, Girls’ volleyball team managed to play vates him to push himself. powerful, and dedicated athletes take part after each set, each team will switch several games under altered conditions, “The sound of playing in front of in Emmaus’s competition cheer program, sides of the court, but in compliance with which junior setter Kassidy Hallman people gets me excited because it means which largely goes unrecognized. the guidelines set by the EPSD Athletic describes as a “different atmosphere.” that I’ve got to give it my all and makes To circle back around from that tan- Department, they were not authorized to In the beginning phases of returning to me play better,” Zellner said. “There’s gent-- things have changed. Football games athletics, the girls always some nervousness with all the once featured a rambunctious atmosphere were not allowed eyes you have watching you. You make from players on the sideline, raising their to enter the gym or one little mistake and everyone sees.” arms saying “money play” and imitating a touch equipment. Yet, closing the season with a champi- Mr. Krabs laugh, a zealous student section With an abbre- onship title is encouraging within itself, dressed in Hawiian attire, and parents’ au- viated season and regardless of the number of fans who thoritative, or celebratory, screams from the games out of the were there to see the team earn it. Zellner stands. This year, a somber cloud cast over ordinary, Hallman hopes to always continue to play, and the energy of fans and players. A decrease understands the has yet to decide where he will study in enthusiasm and an increase in a despon- importance of Business Administration this fall. dent demeanor became evident. putting forth her As the second semester carries on and Obviously, dedicated parents found their best effort not only spring sports begin, recognizing that way to the bleachers, a few dozen students for herself but her although the physical environment that with nothing better to do, and the football teammates. student athletes are surrounded by may players hoping to get a minute on the field “We all knew be at a loss, EHS student athletes have came out to watch the games. But the en- we weren’t triumphed with their respect for new reg- thusiastic nature of the Friday night culture Fans watch the varsity football game in near-empty bleachers. Photo by guaranteed a full ulations and adamant positive attitudes suffered cosmically. Alice Adams. season, so it was during these difficult times. As cheerleaders, keeping the crowd and important for us players motivated, engaged, and excited is a pillar of the activity. But our chants can only sound so loud through our masks, ac- companied with the new spread out line-up, Sports triumph despite Covid-19 and the crowd’s spark needs more fuel than a simple ignition. Erick De La Rosa They would go on to win their first state great effort at states where the girls took For me, someone who feeds off of Sports Editor playoff playoff games in nearly 20 years, fifth place. others’ emotions, observing people and Emmaus High School athletics were ultimately falling in the semi their behavior during games fascinates me. able to once again compete this school finals. I cannot tell you a single thing about the year after being shut down in March of Swim: The Emmaus Boys mechanics of football, but without looking 2020, leading to a whole year of student Swim and Dive team continued at the field, I can tell you exactly when we athlete triumph. their dynasty, going 10-0 in get the ball back, make a bad play, or when Five district championships and a the regular season and winning the coaches decide we do have a chance to state championship were brought home their 14th straight district cham- win this game. this year by our various sports teams, an pionship. The girls were not far I miss when cheering was normal. When impressive feat any year, but made ad- behind hoisting an impressive I got to sit knee to knee with my friends ditionally harder by the copious amount 8-2 record. All of this success during basketball games and whisper of COVID-19 regulations and restric- despite the teams having to about how cute the other team looked. tions that teams had to overcome. Each compete virtually. When someone would frantically braid my athlete, especially seniors, were forced Football: The EHS football two-foot long hair at 7 a.m. in the humid to play every match like it was their last, team was able to go unde- cabin at camp. When we would have team because in some cases it was, and with feated in its shortened season, workouts in the musky weight room after the ever-changing coronavirus, situations winning all five games. In the other teams used it to filth. All the quirks, could’ve changed at any moment. Here final match of the season, the positives, and ‘less than positives’ made are some highlights from some sports. Hornets took on arch rivals, cheer a convivial and unique experience. Field Hockey: The Emmaus Field the Parkland Trojans. A thriller I truly commiserate with other athletes Hockey team was, once again, extremely down to the wire, the Hornets who are missing previous seasons. I know successful. The team was able to win won 13-6, winning their divi- it’s hard. But, unfortunately, things return- their 13th state championship, the first sion in the process. ing to the exact state as they were ‘pre- one in four years, bringing another ban- Girls Cross County: The COVID’ seems improbable. Not to regur- ner back home where it belongs. girls cross country team won gitate the cliches we have all been fed for Boys Soccer: The boys soccer team its second district champion- months now, but if there’s ever been a time had one of the most successful seasons ship in a row, but even more to practice your patience with others, it’s in school history. Despite losing mul- impressive was maintaining an Top: Senior Brandon Camire protects the ball while now. We all just need to take precautions tiple starters due to graduating seniors, undefeated record for a third running. Photo by Alice Adams. Bottom: Senior Maddie and hope things may return to normal-- or the team was able to repeat as district straight season, going 39-0. Brown dribbles the ball during a soccer game. Photo by at least close to. champions after an amazing 14-2 season. The season culminated in a Bethany Brown. SPORTS THE STINGER | MARCH 2021 11 EHS athletes adjust to masks Kristen Heilenman that her team dynamic has im- Editor in Chief proved through the tough times. Sophia Clements “Our team chemistry and Staff Writer relationships with each other When the coronavirus hit, all are better this year than ever,” sports -- locally and nationally Klemick said. “Which is kind of -- were put on pause: the 2020 ironic because of COVID, but I Olympics were postponed, think that the atmosphere is just professional sports were delayed, really nice with all of the girls most high school spring sports who have such great attitudes.” seasons were cancelled. One year Waiters also sees the bonds later, sports have continued, with strengthening between athletes the inclusion of masks, of course. on the wrestling team as well. At Emmaus High School, “I think we became close all winter sports teams had to because, at the end of the day wear masks during practices and we were only hanging out with games, with the exception of the each other, we weren’t really swim team while members were Players on the EHS girls’ basketball team playing with masks on. Photo courtesy of @ seeing other people,” Waiters in the water. Currently, this pro- EHSGBB on Twitter. said. “Whenever we would get tocol is still in place for spring the chance on the weekends we sports, as well. would all hang out [and] just from COVID, shortened sea- While this mandate was put Waiters said. “Just to try and get laxed the mask requirements, try to get a better team dynamic son, limited practices, and other in place to ensure the safety of my breathing adjusted to wearing as the masks were impacting since we can’t really socialize things.” all coaches and athletes, some, a mask so that it’s easier for me player’s safety. with other people that much.” One club sport that was sig- such as senior and captain of the when I’m competing.” With limitations on how many For Yoder, he is happy to give nificantly impacted by manda- girls’ basketball team Stephanie Along with wearing masks, individuals can be inside the his players the ability to play and tory masks was ice hockey, as Klemick, stressed the difficulties athletes and coaches are required building, and specific rooms, at a compete. junior Aaron Kirk detailed the wearing a mask brought at the to get screened before each prac- time, the high school created live “At this point, we are happy numerous struggles players on beginning. tice or competition. Here, their streams, so players’ families and when we get to practice,” Yoder the team experienced. “[Wearing it was] very, very temperature is taken and they are friends can watch in a safe way said. “And yes, practices were “It was terrible, especially for sweaty, not gonna lie, and it asked a series of questions to see at home. Waiters sees the benefits modified tremendously due to hockey players because of how makes breathing a little bit hard- if they have an COVID-related and disadvantages of these. the boys wearing masks, six feet cold it is. The moisture gets stuck er,” said Klemick. “And I feel symptoms. “I feel like having live streams [apart] protocols, and other vari- in the mask, they get soaked, like now I’ve kind of gotten used Varsity boys’ basketball coach is cool because everyone who ables. That said, the boys have and nobody could breathe,” to it, so it’s not that bad anymore, Steve Yoder acknowledges many even wouldn’t normally come been resilient, and are happy to Kirk said. “It also took away our but in the beginning, it was defi- differences for the 2020-21 sea- to the matches could still watch have the opportunity to play.” eyesight at the bottom, so we nitely something to get used to.” son compared to previous years. from different states and stuff,” Although wearing a mask is couldn’t see where the puck was Senior wrestler Kordell “This year’s season has Waiters said. “But at the same a new challenge for athletes, on our sticks, and if it got in our Waiters found a way to adapt brought so many unique chal- time, it’s still not the same as many overcame this obstacle and feet we were screwed and some- to wearing a mask for physical lenges. While the game itself having fans in person.” had successful seasons amid the one was going to try to blow us activity. is the same, virtually every While many restrictions may coronavirus pandemic. up.” “Usually during the season I’ll other variable has changed,” have stopped teammates from Additional reporting by Victo- Because of this, the high go for runs, and now, I’ll wear Yoder said. “Daily [temperature] doing their normal routines and ria Bruckler. school’s ice hockey league re- a mask when I go for a run,” checks, masks, school closings celebrations, Klemick realized Despite virtual meets, swim caps a solid season Sydnie Howard than swimming in the pool beside their But despite the hardships and challeng- agement each teammate shows towards Sophia DePhillips teammates and other competing schools. es thrown their way, EHS’ swim team one another on and off the pool deck. Staff Writers “Virtual meets aren’t like in-person continues to persist and keep their heads The swim team began creating lively new Competing against their own team- meets, and I would much rather be racing above the water. Even with strict guide- ways to support each other from the stand mates, hardly setting foot in the water, against the other team in person than lines in place, teammates and coaches such as making pom-poms, dressing in and keeping a team bond while mostly virtually,” says Shriver. “But with that manage to be thankful for what they have, fun colors, and playing music between seeing each other through a and the bond events. screen, are just a few of the that they share “A positive thing about this year is many hardships faced by the together. how well all the swimmers have really Emmaus High School swim “Some schools supported each other throughout all of team through their 2020-2021 and athletes this,” says Rautzhan. “We all realize how season. across the coun- difficult this year is, so sportsmanship and The pandemic has thrown try are missing camaraderie, I feel, is at an all-time high.” a wrench into how regular out in their The Emmaus swim team looks ahead to swim meets would normally sports entirely,” days when normal swim meets and com- occur for the members. But O’Connor says. petitions can resume; where high-fiving, junior Abby Hark, a member “I am thankful hugging, and embraces can be expressed of the EHS girls’ swim team, is proud of being said, I think we have really adapted for being able to have even virtual meets openly. But one thing that has never how her team has persisted throughout as a team and bring a lot of energy even in the first year of a pandemic.” ceased is their comradery, an unbeliev- this challenging season. without spectators or the opponent in the Along with finding ways to be thankful able team bond, and an absolute love for “Seeing our team persevere through pool.” comes the waves of support and encour- swimming. a season during a pandemic, but still Observing the activity in manage to swim fast and have fun, has other sports throughout the made me happy to be able to call myself a pandemic at EHS and other swimmer each day,” Hark says. schools, some members of the During meets, each socially-distanced, swim team question why they masked swimmer sits in the stands and can’t be in the water with each awaits their turn to enter the pool deck other, with proper distancing. below to swim in their respected events. “It is very frustrating consid- The scores and times from each event ering how spaced out swim- or dive are then taken, and compared to ming is as a sport already,’ says other team’s schools in order to determine Shriver. “I think we have ample the winner. space to have in-person meets, “We do not know who wins the meet and our lanes are 7 feet wide, until hours after the competitions as we and we don’t require physical need to await the computerized results interaction with a ball or with from the other team and then merge them other athletes to compete.” with ours,” says EHS swim team coach Rautzhan also believes that Tim O’Connor. “It is all really strange.” despite their virtual meets being The annual District XI Championships effective, they are not fair to the were held in person. The EHS girls team team as competing swimmers. took second place while the boys team “Swimmers are missing out brought home their 14th straight title. on many things that other win- For members like Peyton Rautzhan and ter athletes have, such as actual Connor Shriver, their senior year is spent head-to-head competition,” The EHS boys’ swim team after winning their 14th consecutive District XI Championship. Photo courtesy of @ehsmensswim on Twitter. in these socially distanced meets rather Rautzhan says. 12 THE STING ER MARCH 2021 FEATURES Emmaus community rallies for homeless youth amid pandemic

Madison Mauro home and school visitor, feels Opinion Editor that looking back at some of the Saraya Velez numbers, the pandemic hurt East Sports Editor Penn’s ability to identify families in need as well as affected the fter her parents went willingness of people to come through a difficult forward. divorce, Emmaus ju- Diehl understands. nior Bri Diehl spent Privacy is a luxury that most time going back homeless students miss, the EHS and forth between junior said. houses, but in her When her parents separated heartA she recognized the truth in August of 2019, she and her as life grew more difficult: “I younger brother moved out of always knew I was going to end the only home they had known up homeless.” for 12 years to live with their Hundreds of homeless youth father. are in plain sight every day in While living with her father the Lehigh Valley. Homelessness and brother, she received news is not the person sitting on the in May of 2020 that her step-fa- side of the street asking for spare ther had passed away. In turn, change. It is not the man curled the child support that her mom up in a sleeping bag as cars had been providing for Bri and speed by under an overpass. her brother became unavailable, It can be your lab partner in and Bri’s younger brother moved Honors Biology class or your to Tennessee to stay with their little sister’s bus buddy. Attend- mom. In April, her father lost ing school, spending hours un- his job due to the pandemic. He bothered and unnoticed, as they joined the 20.5 million unem- navigate not only puberty but an ployed Americans at the start of adult world into which they’ve the pandemic, according to the been involuntarily thrown. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At the end of May, the Diehls officially moved out of their Δ Δ Δ home and stayed with their cous- ins in a town about 50 miles out- Bri Diehl is among 30 families experiencing homelessness in the East Penn School District. She works during the As the coronavirus swept the side of Pittsburgh for a month. school year to support herself and her father during their economic insecurity. A GoFundMe set up by a close family globe and devastated families But for the past nine months, Bri friend emerged so the Diehls could place a down payment on an apartment after living in an area hotel for several across the U.S. since last March, and her father have had to live in months. Photo by Meliha Anthony. students who could once depend a local hotel. on school for shelter and a warm “I don’t always stay at the Initially, Hamilton was unaware spread, it reached $6,500 within book group, the purpose of the meal had to fend for themselves hotel, sometimes I sleepover at a of the circumstances that the the next few days. She was GoFundMe is to raise money for amid a nation of frantic, self-con- friend’s,” she said. Diehls were in, and when her “blown away.” Within four days Marec and Jason Pun, who are cerned people. The already While transitioning to the son revealed their situation, she of the initial posting, the goal living in the same hotel as the challenging situation of manag- hotel, Bri was forced to sacrifice felt compelled to take action. of raising $5,000 was exceeded Diehl’s. In less than two weeks, ing school for homeless students not only her time and privacy, She describes Bri as a “humble with a total of $7,290 raised, as the Pun family was also able to became practically unthinkable. but two of the things she held and gracious” person and is very well as $775 in GIANT food reach their set goal of $5,000. Facing the effects of the pandem- dearest: her pets. grateful to have met her. She store gift cards. Classmates and ic in a sound and stable home In order to abide by the believes that kindness eventually community members rallied in gave way to anxiety, depression, housing rules of the hotel, Bri comes full circle and was more support of the family as it was Δ Δ Δ and self-doubt. had to surrender her cat, Candy, than willing to pay it forward. shared over several social media Students facing homelessness and hamsters, Nilla and Mocha, “I thought that if [the com- platforms. What was heartwarm- However, these are two fami- are no strangers to these feelings to her friends. Caring for pets in ing to Hamilton was lies among the 57,971 homeless either, according to the Nation- their given circumstances was that it was not only families in America, accord- al Alliance on Mental Illness, an extra expense they could not adults donating, but ing to Endhomelessness.org. which states that 16.7 percent afford. also children her Homeless students in the United of U.S. youth aged six to 17 Prior to the coronavirus, son’s age contributing States were formerly called experience a mental disorder Bri worked sporadically as a what they could to the “invisible million.” Now, and 20.5 percent of homeless babysitter for up to 24 hours a the cause with their as the percentage of homeless U.S. youth have serious mental week. Unable to work during personal money. youth climbs, this obsolete label health conditions. Staring down the first few months of quar- Hamilton described remains overlooked, and these the unknown of the coronavirus antine, Bri began to notice her the overwhelming students remain invisible. while confronting the unknowns and her father’s financial means support in an update The state requires each school of one’s health and safety each stretching thinner. Currently, on the GoFundMe district to identify families that day is a pain that no one should she works at Bear Creek as a munity] could even get half the post and expressed her grat- need support; one way to do that have to brave, including East “snowsports desk lady,” sched- goal, if people could give just itude for those who may not is through the networking of Penn students. uling ski and snowboard lessons a little bit, it was worth a try,” have known the family prior yet community organizations -- and Ahead of the pandemic, home- for kids. Through this struggle, Hamilton said. “I was hesitant contributed by either donating East Penn has quite a few, from lessness among children spiked she has turned to those around because the last 12 months, the directly to the cause or shared it food pantries to home relocation with an estimated 1.5 million her to comfort her whether it is past year, was really hard on a via social media. and rent assistance programs. students nationwide reported family or friends, she maintains a lot of people, and I didn’t know After seeing the support her “I think that getting the word being homeless at some point close connection. what the reaction would look family received on social media out...is probably going to open during the 2017-18 school year, “I make sure that I keep like.” and from GoFundMe, Bri was to other readers to be not only according to the National Center my relationships strong with Despite the hesitation Hamil- hopeful for her family’s future. sensitive, [but] hopefully we can for Homeless Education. my boyfriend, my friends, my ton had going forward with the “It made me smile all day get more students who may be In March of 2021, there are family,” Bri said. “I don’t turn GoFundMe, she recognized that when it got big, and I couldn’t suffering right now or may be in about 20 homeless/displaced away from them even when it it would yield a good outcome in thank everyone enough,” Diehl need to come forward,” Matam- families living in the East Penn gets bad.” that the Diehls would soon have said. “It was a feel-good mo- oros said. “It can be myself, a School District, according to a place of their own. ment.” school counselor, the principal, Dr. Thomas Mirabella, director “It’s hard to ask for help, Currently, Bri and her father anyone, they could just send an of student services. In March Δ Δ Δ and it’s hard to accept help, have the money necessary for email.” of 2020 the average number of and it’s hard to admit that you a fresh start in a new apartment While Diehl not only had to homeless families jumped to 30. Recognizing the struggle that need help,” Hamilton said. “I’m with their dog, Roxy. sacrifice her pets and her privacy, “We consistently have a num- the Diehls have endured, Mon- grateful that Bri let me do this Following the overwhelming she said she “had to sacrifice be- ber of students and family for a ica Hamilton, a family friend, for her, and I’m so thankful to support of the community toward ing a kid.” But she knows there myriad of reasons experiencing took the initiative in creating a the community.” the Diehl family, in the matter is more to life than four walls homelessness throughout the GoFundMe page in response to Hamilton’s intention was to of a few days, a new GoFundMe and a roof. school year and into the summer- their financial burden. Hamilton, share the GoFundMe to a few page began to circulate social “I had to learn the hard way time in the EPSD,” Mirabella a single mother of three, first met close friends and potentially media. Posted to the Emmaus that home isn’t a house, it’s in said. Bri in May of 2020, and since raise $1,000, but as the news of it High School Families Face- people that you love.” Karla Matamoros, the district’s then, both families became close.