COVID-19 has Changed Normal Routine
Staycation
by Elizabeth Hammer
During these times, it is hard to travel to all the fun and farther away places that we want to. However, there are some fun things you and your family can get out and enjoy only a couple hours away from Pierce.
One place that is only a few miles out of town is Willow Lake. At Willow, you can still fish, swim, and walk trails. On nice days, these activities can be very fun and refreshing with your family or just you. Another lake that is close by is the Skyview Lake in Norfolk. Norfolk is only 15-20 minutes from Pierce so it would be an easy trip. Activities like frisbee golf, fishing, walking/running, can be done at this lake. Skyview is a little more public than Willow but is still very fun.
You can also try a new restaurant that you have never tried before. There are not a lot of places, such as Wendy’s or Taco Bell, in Norfolk that aren’t fast food, but a little drive over to Sioux City or Yankton wouldn’t be bad. In these two cities there are places like Olive Garden, Five Guys, Jo Deans and so much more. Or, if you would like to stay in Pierce, we have options like the Legion Lounge and Backroom Steakhouse, J’s Place, Subway, and on the right days of the week, TInker’s Truck Food Truck and Taylor’s Bar and Grill. These times during quarantine can be really boring and not fun so it is important to keep your spirits up. Maybe some of these examples will sound interesting or lead you to new ideas to try.
Shelly Hopkins, Creighton resident, says, “I like to stop down at J’s place to get food or ice cream that we don’t have in Creighton whenever I come [to Pierce]. It is a nice little adventure that makes the day a little more exciting.”
A young Pierce citizen, Alexis Schnoor, says, “I like to go to Scooters in Norfolk with my friends. It is a fun and short trip that we get to go on.”
All in all just make sure that you stay safe while having fun.
Girls Summer Basketball is on Pause
by Kailey Marks
In the midst of this pandemic, stores and jobs aren’t the only thing on pause, among other sports, so is girls basketball for the summer.
Coach Darren Sindelar states, “There are many unknowns about the summer basketball schedule, but I’m keeping a hopeful mindset that the summer will be normal.”
With that being said, he is sticking to the usual routine of open gyms, team camps, weight lifting, and conditioning sessions until he is told differently. If things do end up changing, he will be sending individual workouts to each of the girl basketball players. He hopes that this virus won’t affect this year’s season, but says it’s really too far away to tell anything.
Junior Kenzie Moeller has been staying active by doing coaches’ workouts and playing basketball with her siblings. She also added, “Despite the setback from all sports, hopefully, athletes are doing their part at home to improve individually for their sport team.”
Boys Basketball Gets Put on Hold
by MacKenzie Peters
While COVID-19 has most dramatically impacted spring sports, this pandemic has also put a halt on the boys basketball team summer plans.
Before COVID-19, the boy’s basketball team had planned on attending a 3-day camp during the last week of May, three camps as a team, and open gym practices twice a week. They had also hoped to be a part of the YMCA league on Monday nights.
Head coach Mike Emory has put all practices on hold for the time being but hopes to be able to get some practice time in over the summer. Fortunately, Emory has been able to stay in contact with his team to help them keep in shape. “I have sent them several workouts that they can do at home or wherever they can get access to a basketball hoop. I just hope they can find time to work on their game, while still doing a good job with their online classes.”
Junior Tyler Race explains how he’s been preparing for his senior year of basketball by saying, “The cancellations will definitely be a setback, but hopefully everyone is doing their part at home to be ready for next season. Over the break, I have been lifting and doing exercises to stay in shape as well as playing and practicing basketball daily.”
Summer Volleyball
by Samantha Fischer
COVID-19 has definitely put a damper on the rest of the 2019-2020 school year and spring activities, but what effect does that have on summer sports and next year’s fall sports?
Many colleges have already talked about not having sports next fall, but is the high school level different? Head volleyball coach, Zach Weber says, “At this point, I'm really hoping our full camp schedule won't be affected. That might be overly optimistic, but until we hear otherwise, we have to assume that it'll be business as usual by July. I gave out the July schedule to the team back in early March, and as of right now, nothing has changed.”
As far as summer conditioning for the volleyball athletes this year, Coach Weber continues by saying, “The plan is to have 2 skill workouts and 3 weight room workouts each week. The schedule will be sent out some time in May. I’ll be as optimistic as I can be with conditioning as well. I would love to be in the gym and weight room in June, but that decision will likely be made by the NSAA and the administration. So far, I haven’t heard anything.”
As things move on, everyone will just have to wait and see if this pandemic will have an effect on summer and fall sports, and hopefully the athletes will be able to participate.
The New “Normal”
by Taylor Compton
Ever since the Coronavirus outbreak, everyone’s normal day to day life has changed. This is including a person’s routine, the way businesses are running, and so much more.
The new normal has everyone changing their lives and routines. Senior Cayce Carlson has to say this about the new normal, “My life is more lonely because I like human interaction, and since I have no set schedule now, I feel a little less productive.”
Today, it is normal to see people wearing masks all time while driving, shopping in the store, or wherever they may be. Also, it is normal for people not to leave their houses. With that being said, people are also waking up and falling asleep at different times because they don’t have to get up to go anywhere the next day. It is also normal to say that we wash our hands a lot more and use a lot more hand sanitizer than we used to. Most people also can’t see their friends or family anymore.
Sophomore Marlie Kroupa says that her new normal has changed by saying, “Usually I’m always with my friends and family doing stuff, so being at home all the time is really starting to get boring.”
Not only is the new normal also has an impact on businesses. Some businesses have to shut down while others are considered an essential business so they can stay open. A couple of things businesses have been doing is having a protective cover between the cashier and the customer, and they even have to wipe down every surface every time someone checks out just to help slow the spreading of COVID-19. Stores have also been running out of supplies like hand sanitizer, toilet paper, hand soap, rubbing alcohol, disinfecting wipes, and many other things. Businesses have also been putting a limit on certain items like hand sanitizer and toilet paper. But some businesses only allow one person from each family to go into the store or make you stay behind six feet behind the person in front of you. Also, a lot of restaurants will only allow pick up and will not let you dine in.
It seemed a bit weird before, but now it’s just normal, even though it’s sad to say.
Things To Do In Pierce During Quarantine
by Maddie Huber
It’s been a couple weeks since the first coronavirus cases hit Nebraska and since then the state of Nebraska has been in quarantine and by being in quarantine there’s not much for us to do. Since there is quarantine the play grounds have been closed off, schools are shut down, and there can’t be groups bigger than 10.
Kaley Johnson, freshman at Pierce High, said, “After I finish my assignments, I try to go outside while it’s nice and read. I also sit with my family and watch television shows.”
There are things that people can do during the quarantine such as going for a walk or reading a book for fun.
One thing that keeps the students of Pierce High busy is their online schooling, by doing their online schooling it keeps the students somewhat busy.
When asked about what she does during the quarantine, sophomore Aundrea Huber said “During this time I like to catch up on shows I have started, and I spend lots of time with my family.”
Even though the coronavirus has shut down a lot of things for us to do there are things we can still do such as go for walks or read a book.
Graduation Alterations
by Klarissa Norris
COVID-19 has changed many things around the globe, as well as close to home, including the graduation plans of several Pierce High seniors. The class of 2020 has had their senior prom canceled, their final days of high school ripped away, and most recently, their graduation ceremony has been postponed. Three Pierce High seniors have offered insight into how they are altering their graduation plans due to COVID-19.
Senior Hailey Abler commented on her graduation plans by saying, “I now have to tell anyone I send my graduation invites to that the date is now subject to change since the ceremony has been postponed. It makes me really sad knowing that I will be graduating closer to when I’ll be leaving for college even though I know it’s for the best.” Abler continued on saying how COVID-19 has affected her senior year by saying, “COVID-19 made me change how I thought my senior year was going to go. I’m missing out on all the “lasts” I thought I was going to have like saying goodbye to my teachers and classmates.”
Senior Sydney Erikson also provided information on her changing graduation plans, “I definitely, like many of us, feel disappointed that graduation has been postponed, but I do think it’s better than canceling graduation altogether. I also think a lot of the seniors understand why it’s important to postpone graduation and keep people safe during this unheard-of time.” Erikson also commented on the effects COVID-19 has had on her senior year. “Coronavirus has really taken a complete 180 on my senior year. A couple of weeks ago all of us were looking forward to prom, starting the senior countdown, and of course graduation in May. Now I think we are all realizing how different this year has become.”
A final senior who spoke about her graduation plans was Maiya Baumann, and she says, “The postponement of graduation has been a disappointing experience. As seniors, this is one of the last opportunities to see our classmates before we go our separate ways. Having this experience postponed, and for other schools taken away, is the worst feeling. I hope that through these times we as seniors can learn to enjoy every minute of every day because you never know when it can be over.” Baumann continued talking about COVID-19 and its effects on her senior year. “With the restrictions that have been put in place, my senior year has been put on “hold”. As a senior, I have the possibility of missing out on moments that those before us had the opportunities to make memories at, such as state speech, track, graduation, prom, and our last day at school.”
The class of 2020 has certainly faced several unexpected challenges during the final weeks of the school year. As graduation plans adapt, the seniors of Pierce High will as well.
4-H on Pause
by Madi Hamm
With the rise of Covid-19 the 4-H community is affected. Sophomore at Pierce High Sarah Fenton says, “It’s been hard because we’re not able to do projects with other 4-Hers. But now I have more free time to make more projects.” For the 4-H members this will be some good time to get all of their projects and animals ready for the fair in the summer.
Ann Fenton says, “Right now the fair is still on. The fair board will need to make the decision about the whole fair at some future date. However, because 4-H is overseen by the University of Nebraska, they will make the decision about the 4-H part of the fair at some future date.”
When asked about how Covid-19 will affect the fairs, A. Fenton said, “ We are hoping to know in May, but it may be in the middle of June before such a decision is made. It will depend on how Nebraska is doing in regards to Covid 19. If the 4-H members are not allowed to go to the fair, we will still try to judge their projects in some way.”
For the 4-H meetings A. Fenton said that since they cannot meet in person they have not had any meetings so far. The University of Nebraska Extension has continued to teach people life skills virtually, but will not be able to teach them in person until given the all clear from the University.
