COVID-19 made a large impact on everyone, no one person left without a loved one, friend or even themselves getting ill from the rampant virus. 

Drastically changing lives in many ways, we have had to adapt. School activities are no different.

Crafternoons, an afterschool program about art and related activities run by teacher Pam Gower, knows this struggle firsthand. 

“Our gatherings are both in person and virtual,” Gower said. “COVID has forced me to offer a virtual option which is helpful for students who are learning virtually and for times when we are all virtual.”

The differences from before and during may not be what most expect. 

“I am delighted that Crafternooons attendance has not decreased and has actually increased now that I offer a virtual option,” Gower said. “It is so fun to attend Crafternoons from home because you have all of your art and craft supplies from home right at your fingertips.” 

An online option can, indeed, lead to more students coming in right from the comfort of their homes, doing crafts with others with similar interests, and bringing us together in a time where we must stay distant.

Similar to Crafternoons, the National Honor Society has also seen some changes. Secretary Courtney Fletcher, who advises the group, adapted to changes in yearly activities. 

“The Festival of Tables was a huge event that the National Honor Society did,” she said. That’s where [student members] got a lot of their hours and seen a lot of people, but this year it was all virtual. So, they didn’t have that chance to earn all those hours.”

After school activities saw decreases in attendance or simply did not have the resources to continue, yet their resourcefulness increased during this difficult time.