Red Devils’ Advocate Special Edition June, 2020 Chorale sings on amid quarantine by Alex Renzoni While many classes have had an tional senior sendoff piece, “Blow the their own. The video has been upload- easy transition to virtual learning over Candles Out” by Gregg Smith. Work ed to YouTube for anyone to enjoy. the past two months, CHS’s music de- on the project began in mid-April. Sophomore Génia Abbey and junior partment had to be innovative to keep Music, lyrics, and recording instruc- Jacob Buczak both took part in the students singing and playing from tions were posted to a shared Google virtual choir. Both students noted that home. While much of this has taken Drive, as well as backing tracks that though it was unlike anything they’ve the form of individual assignments, each singer listened to as they recorded ever been a part of before, it was re- Google Meet group lessons, and les- their own videos. These backtracks en- freshing to perform with others again sons in music theory and history, CHS sured that all of the performers stayed after such a long period of time. Chorale has found another way to keep in time with one another, an essential “Being a part of the virtual choir was the music alive: a “virtual choir”. component of the project. an incredible experience!” said Abbey. The concept of a virtual choir is Once all of the video submissions “It was heartening to sing with Chorale nothing new. Composer Eric Whitacre were received, work began to put the once again, as we are unable to sing developed the idea more than ten videos and audio together. This was with our friends in person during this years ago when he invited singers from done by graduates of SUNY Fredonia, challenging time.” across the world to record individual who worked with Mrs. Fetterly and Being part of a virtual experience was parts of an original pieces which were Chorale officers to ensure that the definitely not what I expected,” added then compiled into a single video, giv- finished product resembled what they Buczak. “I had to take into account ing the appearance that the musicians had originally envisioned. In total, 54 many different factors that I would were all singing together, even though singers, both current Chorale members normally not have to think about in some were thousands of miles apart. and alumni, participated in the virtual a classroom setting. It was a once in a In honor of the Class of 2020, Chorale’s choir, with alumni from as far back as lifetime experience that I was glad to virtual choir performed their tradi- 2014 volunteering to submit videos of be a part of.” Red Devils’ Advocate June 2020 High School in the time of Covid-19 A senior perspective by Jenna Carey to the last parties before my friends Due to the coronavirus, a significant have been dying to wear for months. venture off to college, this is what I will part of our last year of high school is Also taking into account graduation, miss. Even though it is not the same, put on hold, not knowing if the ending walking across that stage with 13 years I have been facetiming my friends of our senior year events will ever hap- under your belt of learning, knowing constantly, trying to stick to a normal pen. I cannot believe that 13 years of that hundreds of hands are clapping routine, and planning fun events for chaos and hard work has come down for you because they saw how hard when the pandemic clears up. I am so to this in our last three months of high you worked for that diploma. The fact excited for the first hangout with my school. It is crazy to think that we have that there is talk about delaying and friends, the first sporting event, and spent over 2,000 days in school, and cancelling prom and doing “drive up” all there is to bring after this virus is the end of it came down to a glob- graduations is just amazing to me. The over. Another benefit of staying home al pandemic that started in another hardest part about this whole pan- during this pandemic is more time country. The feeling is indescribable, demic is the uncertainty of everything, with my parents and my sister who is the fact that everything we do is for when the peak is going to happen, and home from college. The one thing that a reason, and everything that we did when everything will overall settle has crossed my mind is the fact that to work up to this moment may not down. Will we have prom that we have things will never seem the same no even happen. The prom, the last day of been waiting for for thirteen whole matter what. school, our graduation, the ending to years? The fact that yes, this whole pandemic this long journey of ups and downs has To be completely honest, some- may clear up, but one person could come down to this? It is unreal. Some times I dread waking up and going to create another wave of it so fast that people are just shaking this emergency school knowing that I may struggle we won’t be able to do anything about off as more “snow days”, than the fact sometimes or listen to a lecture that I it. Handshakes and hugs will never that thousands of people are dying per just will never understand. Now, I am be seen as the same, and spreading day. An important thing to think about learning that I would do anything to go germs will be a constant fear for many. is that we treasure and show great back to school and see my friends and Even though there are many if ands or appreciation for World War Veterans teachers again, as I miss everything buts about this virus, positivity will be and those who have been the “sources” and the way it was before. the only thing that helps. The longer of traumatic events and happenings. As much as this pandemic and social we stay home, the faster we can get Little do we realize, humans are the distancing is extremely difficult, I out of this situation, and the faster “source” for the pandemic. We will be think it has taught us to not take things we can resume our normal activities. the ones 50 years from now telling our for granted. Every aspect in my life Even though it may not seem like it, grandchildren and the younger genera- has changed right now, and I took for this whole pandemic for us seniors is tions of how it impacted our lives, and granted the amount of opportunities I happening for a reason we will never most of all, our memorable senior year. had. Sometimes I would dread going to know, but I am trying my best to be Chris Dier, a high school teacher the gym, whether it was before school hopeful and positive about this situa- who had a similar experience shared at 6 a.m., or after a hard day of school tion. This might bring the class of 2020 his thoughts on what it feels like to and work. Little did I know, I wouldn’t and America closer than ever before, have your senior year fall into piec- have access to these machines for more now that we realize how fast the things es. I agree with the fact no one really than a month, and I thought all my we were looking forward to can dimin- understands the struggle until you hard work had gone down the drain. ish right in front of us. go through it, as we were completely Yes, I truly miss my daily routines at I know I will not take things for “robbed” with the end of our most the gym, but I have learned to make granted and savor every moment and important year. It feels so good to it work at my house, improvising and every person I meet along the way, hear from a person who relates to this working with what I have. I miss my cherishing my time that I have without situation who is not a senior, as they friends’ hockey games that I would restrictions. I will make sure I will ex- can truly feel our sorrow. It is kind go to on Wednesday nights at the tend my appreciation to all those who of like training for a marathon in the Harborcenter, seeing the bright lights have touched my life, especially my olympics, working hard for multiple downtown, the ice skaters at Canalside, parents, Grandma, and teachers. I am years on something that is crucial, with and all of the happy people that were beyond excited for what will happen the marathon not even happening. living their best lives. post- pandemic, and how my positive The gold medal, with our end goal Going out to eat on the weekends, outlook on life will impact my future. being getting into that prom dress we after school Chipotle runs, and going Red Devils’ Advocate June 2020 A freshman perspective Times are tough at the moment. We by Kaelyn Ashton-Wells to not have had our first year of high all have been home without school, have that luxury. This was their last school all at the school, we will go back friends, some family and we don’t have year to enjoy high school.