Muhlenberg Bound

The college search was quite a road. In a normal year, it is a struggle to make such a major decision. On the one hand, if you chose wrong it is not prison, you can choose again, start again a few months or a year later. On the other hand, you forfeit your scholarships and risk not receiving the same kind of aid. Ashley is a very smart student, and received generous merit-based scholarships.

After a three-state search, Ashley decided on Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. 

The decision became harder than most years because we did not have an opportunity to tour the school, the place she plans to spend the next four years. We were fortunate that one night after play rehearsal we drove 90 minutes to see "A Raisin in the Sun" and eat a hurried dinner in the dining hall. We had many email conversations with people at the school -- an alumna who is the friend of a daughter, the head of the theater department, head of financial aid, a couple of more professors, but we did not get the official tour. 

I knew Ashley needed something to push her into a decision. She also had acceptances from Rider University (across the street from my office) and Montclair State University -- two places she toured a couple of times. We decided to take a road trip to walk on campus.

We researched bathrooms along our route, and discovered the Allentown rest stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike was still open. We planned our travels around that -- the other option for getting to Allentown is through New Jersey, which may or may not have had an open rest stop. Yes, a sign of the times that we planned our route around an open bathroom.

Though it was rainy, the campus was still stunning. The trees were in bloom. We only saw one other person, the security guard, and that was at a safe 100 foot distance.

Campus pictures. The only time we'll be able to take pictures without anyone else in them.

The drive, combined with a number of online information sessions, propelled Ashley to make a decision, and commit to being a Muhlenberg Mule for the next four years. The next decision will be to start in September, or wait the pandemic out. May we never live through times like this again.

 

Graduation Options 1 and 2

Graduation is supposed to take place in a month. The week leading up to it should include the prom and other senior memories. It should have been the best week of her entire academic career. One of the benefits of no long homeschooling -- the grand celebrations.

We've been slowly losing these big benefits. First it was the last weekend of the school play and cast party when she would have made her senior speech, the one she has been writing for three years. Then the senior fashion show (we didn't even have a chance to pick out her dress). Then the Disney trip (stage managers are never invited unless they are also a performer, but they included Ashley). 

Yesterday we received the following message about graduation options. Neither one is very appealing. We have a couple of days to cast our votes. Meanwhile parents are already voicing their displeasure, and wondering if we can meld the two into one more acceptable solution.

The way it is worded, we are being pushed into option 1 -- basically a meet and greet photo op. If we choose option 2 and the governor bans graduation ceremonies, then all we get is a video of the yearbook. Gee thanks. Don't count on seeing alumni donations from this class for the next fifty years.

Really, really hoping they come up with a better plan.

Graduation Option 1

In researching this option, we have found a few examples that would allow us to provide you with a virtual experience that closely approximates the experience of the traditional Notre Dame Graduation Ceremony. We will be able to provide a personal and uplifting private graduation ceremony for our graduates and their quarantined family then broadcast a Notre Dame graduation live on June 7, the date of the Class of 2020 graduation.  Here is our plan:

1. During the week of May 24, each graduate will select a time through Sign-up Genius to visit our Notre Dame Campus.
2. Graduates will come to school in their graduation finest, graduation cap, graduation gown and their Notre Dame stole. Graduates may bring with them their immediate family.
3. Upon arrival, graduates and their families will process to the grotto.  Here each graduate will be taped receiving his or her individual recognition.
4. Family members will be with the student and have close up picture opportunities.
5. Graduates receiving other awards during the graduation ceremony will also receive, and be taped receiving these awards.  
6. Legacy graduates, as is our tradition, will receive their recognition from their parent or grandparent alum. If in this time of social distancing the alum can not join us on this day, the class of 2020 graduate will be able to have a parent stand-in for the missing loved one. This opportunity is unique for the Class of 2020 Graduate.
7. Upon receiving their diploma, 2020 graduates may toss their graduation cap into the air in celebration of this milestone. This is another unique opportunity we are able to afford this class. 
8. Unlike in the traditional ceremony, the graduate and their family will have an opportunity for a group photo taken by a professional photographer following the taping of their recognition.
9. Class of 2020 students in our virtual ceremony, you are welcome to decorate the top of your graduation cap. Please make sure your message is appropriate and limited to the top square of the mortarboard. The message must be in keeping with the expectations of a Notre Dame graduate. This is another unique opportunity we are able to afford this class. 

Each individual graduate video will be assembled into one, cohesive graduation ceremony to include the valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, words from our superintendent, principal and president, and music provided by our Notre Dame Performing Arts program. On Sunday, June 7 at 9:15 a.m., Fr. Jason will live stream the class of 2020 Baccalaureate Mass from our beloved Notre Dame Chapel. Directly following at 10 a.m. on our YouTube channel the Notre Dame family and guests will celebrate the class of 2020 graduation live stream from their living rooms.  

Graduation Option 2

In light of the current restrictions, we are prohibited to assemble the over 4,000 people who typically attend our indoor graduation ceremony.  In the unlikely event that Governor Murphy’s mandate allows for gatherings of 1,250 people, Notre Dame will schedule an appropriately socially distanced graduation ceremony on Notre Dame High School’s Nolan Field.  This option will only be possible based on the directives of Governor Murphy on May 15, which must provide clarity and parameters for outdoor gatherings of 1,250 persons.  

1. Graduates will be limited to 3 tickets.  
2. With the number of guests, both sets of bleachers will be used. Half of our guests will be seated on the Visitor’s side of the field and will be facing the backs of their graduates.  
3. Extra tickets will not be issued for this event. 
4. Based on current and predicted future guidelines and to ensure the safety of all attendees, graduates will need to maintain their social distance on the field. Students will not be able to process in or out of Nolan Field, nor will they approach the stage during this ceremony.  
5. Each graduate's name will be called, and graduates will stand and be recognized. 
6. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian will address their class with their speeches.
7. The president and principal will address the class. .  
8. To adjust for the summer heat and the lack of shade on Nolan Field, the graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 9 a.m.  

Based on the plans of our graduates and the great desire of Notre Dame to recognize this exceptional class, this option must occur no later than June 30. If we are unable to gather as a large assembly either due to the Governor’s restrictions or inclement weather, we will then provide a video graduation using students’ senior portraits.

Update: once the governor said school was closed through June 30, Notre Dame went with the first option with some modifications, but did say if the governor allows larger gatherings by early August, they will hold a senior-only football field graduation. Maybe they'll have two graduations? Gov. Murphy is supposed to make an announcement about that tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are now allowed to gather outside in groups up to 25. Hopefully that means we'll be getting some prom pictures without the prom.

The Parks Are Back

Seven weeks into quarantine and there is still no sign of it ending. The governor is supposed to make a decision about schools on May 15th, or maybe on May 4th. Seems about half of the states already decided schools are done for the year, but New Jersey closes later than most so there is still hope. Many people are fearful of us reopening too soon. On the one hand, I get it, on the other hand we have less than 200 cases in a town of 33,000. On any given day we get between 0 and 5 new cases. Hardly the feared numbers worthy of shutting down the entire world.

In the good news department Governor Murphy (D) decided to reopen state and county parks, plus golf courses. The funny thing about the golf courses is a few days before the announcement I made the comment to Don I was surprised golf courses were closed, after all golf is a wealthy white man's sport. Barely 48 hours later the announcement came that the golf courses will be reopened.

Hair salons are still shut, and if a stylist violates that edict there will be stiff fines.

On a 70 degree day in May Don and I happily returned to Mercer Meadows. We saw many people enjoying the trails, including my sister and her family, and Lea, a local reporter. We also caught up with neighbors while they were doing yard work.

Seems everyone is starved for conversation. Enough with only talking to those in your immediate household, time to talk to others.

The governor said we can keep our parks as long as "knuckleheads" don't congregate for picnics and sports. Knuckleheads. Yup, the governor is calling his constituents names.

So ready for quarantine to be over.

Blue Angels

About a week ago it was announced the Blue Angels, the elite Navy fleet, would fly along the Delaware River in formation.

Of course we were all told to stay home and watch the action from our homes. Umm...sure. A map was posted along with a schedule. This isn't exactly the type of event that can be seen from your home unless you happen to live along the route.


Don and I looked at the map. Seemed they would fly by Waterfront Park three times. Seemed like a good place to camp out to watch them. 

Oh my! Would you believe it if I said I was not the only one there? When I showed up ten minutes before showtime there back parking lot was filled. Cars were parked half-haphazardly. It was the largest crowd I have been in since shutdown began around March 12. I'll admit, it was a little scary being around so many people. Fortunately it was a beautiful day so I could take the top down and stand inside my own space with my mask on in case someone sneezed.

They flew through once, below the tree line.

A few minutes later, they flew by a second time on our other side. This is when I snapped this picture.

A few more minutes they flew through a third time. Again, below the tree line. I should have left after the second time and avoided the crowd of people leaving.

It was fun seeing everyone's pictures on FaceBook. Some were truly stunning. Others were posts saying "Did I miss it?"

Afterwards someone posted "was this a Trump stunt?"

The write said: 

I work with these men and women through the airshows I do. This was truly from them. The idea, the time. Right now the airshow season is barely hanging on. Logistics and ground participants are hard hit and not able to commit. If they weren't doing this flyover, they would be practicing for an empty crowd. Please don't belittle the crews and planning that went into this. It was HUGE! It's also rare that you EVER see both teams in the same sky. The company I work for pulled it off at Atlantic City years ago, but what a coup!

Sometimes it is worth it to sit back and enjoy the show and not second guess the motives behind it.

Decision Day!

May 1 is Decision Day -- the day high school students have to declare where they are going to college next year. Has the feel of a Hallmark holiday as parents decorate doors and post the announcement on FaceBook.

Our announcement: We have a Mule in the house! 

These are our pictures of Ashley going "through the red doors" ... and expression used often at Muhlenberg which has a lot of red doors on its campus.

 Ashley will be studying Technical Theater at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. We'll figure out the rest later.

Ashley wanted a great liberal arts school with a strong theater department  which ruled out BFA programs. We do anticipate her needing an MFA in the future, but for now she wants the opportunity to take a wide variety of classes and explore her options for the future.

Muhlenberg is the type of school where you can start as a theater major, switch to neuroscience, and still graduate in four years.

Every encounter we have had with the staff, professors, alumni, and students at the school solidifies this is the right decision for Ashley.

After touring about ten schools, we find it ironic she chose the one school she did not tour. We did see a show ("A Raisin in the Sun"), ate in the dining, walked the campus, and had many email, phone, and Zoom interactions with various people affiliated with the school.

Welcome to The Pack, Ashley.

Yet, Still Not The Best of Times

My mom stopped by in the saddest visit every -- she stood on one side of the door to give me some pictures she found while cleaning. We stood on the other side of the closed storm door. I guess it is a good thing we have not yet put the screen door in.

It has been over 40 days since the shut downs began. Protesters (seemingly back by Trump) are urging the states to reopen completely. Others are insisting we stay locked in place until, well I don't know what they mean by until. Until the virus is eradicated? Until there is a proven vaccine? Until the economy completely collapses? Until after the November election and January inauguration when hopefully we have a change in leadership? Until other countries open up? Until someone declares this has to run its course? 

Such a tumultuous time.

Jobs that seemed to be always rock solid, the kind that could never be outsourced, are suddenly furloughed. This just adds to the feelings of unease.

In no particular order:

• Hair dressers
• Bartenders
• Servers
• Hospitality industry (pilots, hotel staff, etc.)
• Cafeteria workers

The list goes on.

Working for rock solid companies is also no long rock solid. Multiple friends who have been with Disney for over a decade are suddenly furloughed. 

Less rock solid positions, including running your own business, are collapsing. Though some people are thriving through this.

It has not yet been two months but many of us can remember what life was like before, or what it will be like afterwards.

We are fortunate here. Both Don and I are employed at full salaries. We are saving money by not eating out, driving, and enjoying entertainment. Our car insurance company will give us back 15% because a tank of gas now lasts us over a month. No reason to buy new clothes since stores are mostly closed and we are not seeing anyone.

Given the lack of leadership on the national level, governors of seven states, including New Jersey, have joined together to form a coalition. Some have already canceled schools for the year. Others, including New Jersey, are holding off on that decision.

In Lawrenceville (population 33,000+) we have less than 200 cases of Coronavirus. One side of me says that's because we are doing such a great job, but since we are doing such a good job, shouldn't we at least have a plan to reopen some places again?

Ready for this to be over!

Yesterday Was a Good Day

NOTE: I started to write this post a week ago. The emotions just keep flying.

I complain so much on here I thought I should write a post about a good day in the "new normal."

It rained all day, which helped me give myself permission to watch "The Crown" on Netflix, a show I have been thinking about watching for a couple of years now and is as good as everyone said it is.

Ashley's high school sent out an email saying there will be more surprises coming to the students. Today we get to pick up a lawn sign. 

Reading between the lines they are not returning to school this year, but rather than ripping the band-aid off the wound as so many states and schools have done, they are treating us with kindness and letting our hearts heal step by step.

The other news from her high school was that clubs were starting up again -- including the spring show. They are still performing "Metamorphases," but through Zoom. Instead of holding auditions, everyone who was involved with last year's show was automatically cast. The stage managers are also included, though the four stage managers don't know what their role will be with this format. Still, they are trying something.

Later that day her top choice sent an email offering a free online summer school class. A free college class? Tell me how to sign up!

I left with the feeling somehow this will all work out and we'll be okay.