Gentry High School students cope with social distancing

Friday, March 14, was the last day for Arkansas students to be in class until potentially April 17th due to COVID-19. Since this time, students have had a full week out of school, spring break, and are beginning their second week of AMI schooling. As things are subject to change over the coming weeks with school work and events, one thing remains — students are staying home and finding ways to remain active, connected and entertained while in this quarantine.

Spring break 2020 was not what any students imagined it to be, with most public places closed, as well as travel being restricted during the corona crisis. For two weeks now, students have been practicing social distancing aside from working on school work. For some, staying inside has led to being as productive for themselves as possible. Junior Katelyn Philpot admits that she’s “cleaned almost everything” in her house. Similarly, many students have taken to organizing things in their free time, as well as experimenting with baking.

Falyn Cordeiro, a senior at GHS, says she has been sewing during the quarantine. While her senior year was cut short, along with the rest of the class of 2020, she says she has still been working on her senior quilt. With the cancellation of school, she has also used her time to help serve the healthcare system, which is facing a shortage of facemasks due to the coronavirus.

“I have sewn 106 masks for healthcare workers so far,” Cordeiro remarked.

With school being closed, the Arkansas Activities Association implemented a dead period for all AAA sports and activities until classes resume and the social distancing order is lifted. For many, this means no spring sports, which many students rely on to stay active and fit. All gyms have also been closed as they are considered “nonessential businesses.” Iuaiyou Vang (a junior) expressed that, when she gets bored, she will do a workout inside her house to stay fit.

Likewise, students are turning to the great outdoors to exercise and explore in the beautiful spring weather.

Emily Hays (a junior) said, “I’ve been on a lot of hikes and runs lately. One of my favorite things is hanging my hammock up in the evening and watching the sunset.”

Quarantine has sparked creativity in many Gentry students. Some have said they’ve taken up painting and journaling in their free time. Many are also trying viral do-it-yourself projects seen on the social media app, TikTok, such as tie-dying T-shirts, bleaching their jeans, and learning how to embroider and create their own graphic T-shirts.

With nearly all public places closed during this time to prevent the spread of the virus, grocery stores remain open for shoppers to buy their essential items. This includes the Harp’s grocery store in Gentry, in which many students are employed. Senior Allee Sweeten, along with many other working students are serving their community, scanning one package of toilet paper at a time!

Although we are currently living in uncertain times where it’s difficult to see the positivity in the situation we are in, Gentry High School students are doing their best to remain safe while still having fun in whatever ways they can.

It is not easy for students to be away from their peers and classmates for an unknown amount of time, but we must understand the importance of our isolation in these times so that we can soon reconnect and get back to our regular lives.

While being away from friends and school can be boring and difficult for many, there are ways to stay productive and connected with classmates, teachers and friends. While we can’t be together, we are still in this together at Gentry High School.