Six Feet Apart, but Together at Heart

Vol. 29, No. 1 St. Louis, Missouri - Fall 2020-2021 sjathevoice.org

2 The Voice: Fall 2020
the
VOICE
The Voice is published quarterly during the school year. All articles
and photographs can only be reprinted with the permission of The
Voice. The Voice welcomes letters to the editor, but will not print letters
submited anonymously. We are also online at sjathevoice.org.
Mission Statement
The duty and mission of The Voice is to share news with the St. Joseph’s
Academy community through honest, unbiased and
entertaining reporting. The Voice strives to give St. Joe students a voice
through the publication of student-produced articles and seeks to serve
as a forum for free discussion among students. The Voice fosters the
development of students into values-driven women leaders by providing
them with opportunities to discern their own views on issues facing both
the school and the larger community.
Editor-in-Chief
Megan Wilcutt
Print Editor
Sophie Gloriod
Digital Editor
Anna Carollo
Print Layout Editor
Lauren Bowers
Digital Layout Editor
Mary Dill
Sports Editor
Grace Becker
Public Relations
Maggie Mays
Social Media Editor
Rosie Johnson
Art Editors
Haley Pruett, Megan Tung, and
Hanna Dressing
Photo Editor
Claire Price
Types of Masks...
4-5 St. Joe & the Virus
6 Safely Socializing
7
8 Quarantine Trends
9 Faith during the Virus
10-11 Summer Activities
Washing Your Hands
12-13 Healthy Habits
14-15 How to Stay Busy
16

The Voice: Fall 2020 3
A Letter
from the
Editor
Art by
Haley
Pruett
Dear Readers,
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Megan Wilcutt, and I am proud to announce I am the
new Editor-in-Chief for The Voice this school year. Now, I know what you are all thinking. I mean, we have
been all thinking about the same thing for some time now: the new normal.
It’s been about six long, trying months since the COVID-19 pandemic swept us all by surprise, yet we are
all still adjusting to our new normal. Whether it be constantly having to remind yourself to bring your mask
everywhere you go or learning how to play a sport with less contact than before, we are all facing new
challenges every single day. In this issue, you’ll find articles addressing these new challenges from all angles
and from students in the same situation. Take this as an opportunity to learn from their experiences so far in this
crazy, unpredictable ride we’re all on; I know I have.
Lastly, I think it’s important to note that in today’s world, we live in constant stratification from each
other due to our different cultures, beliefs, and life experiences. As humans, the unknown scares us, so we stick
to the people and life we know. We question anybody who looks, thinks, and acts even slightly different than us.
However, now more than ever, we have one thing to unite all of us together: coronavirus. No matter who you
are, or what you believe, we truly are all in this together. Remember, “Not I, but we.”
Megan Wilcutt
Editor-in-Chief ‘21

4 The Voice: Fall 2020
Preparing
Through a
Pandemic
By Maggie Mays
Art by Haley Pruett
From masks, to social distancing, to
plexiglass behind teacher’s desks -- SJA
is going the extra mile to take as many
precautions as possible to prevent the
spread of COVID-19. The staff has taken
extra measures and prepared throughout the
summer to make it possible to have students
on campus with a hybrid schedule plan. This
hybrid schedule is one of four phases devised
for learning amidst the pandemic this year.
In summary, all students with last
names in the last half of the alphabet
participate in virtual learning Mondays and
Tuesdays while the latter half come to school
with masks, and vice versa on Thursdays/
Fridays. It is considered “phase three,”
with phase four being completely virtual,
phase two consisting of the whole school
body on campus with masks and distancing
procedures, and phase one being school as
we knew it before the virus occurred. On
Wednesdays, we have “M.O.R.E. Days,”
which stands for Meeting, Organizing,
Reflecting, and Educating. On these days
each grade rotates which whole class is on
campus together. Instead of attending their
regular classes, they participate in events such
as masses, retreats, etc., that typically take
place during community or event time. While
not on campus, the other grades will virtually
attend their full eight class schedule with
thirty minute periods from home.
The current plan is that school will
continue on the hybrid schedule plan for
now, but if there are at least 25 positive cases
reported from our community, then we will
transition to a fully online schedule, also
known as Phase Four. However, many staff
members such as Principal of Student Affairs,
Ms. Karen Davis, are determined to keep
students on campus as much as possible.
“Never in a million years did any of us
think we would be wearing masks and staying
six feet apart at school,” she said. “If all of
us work together and do our part to follow
guidelines at school and away from school we
will get through this and continue to attend in
person school.”
Besides wearing masks and staying
six feet apart in class, teachers and students
also disinfect each desk and chair between
classes to prevent any chance of spreading the
virus through surfaces. Before each student
enters the building, they are required to fill
out a health screening form verifying that
they have not shown any symptoms of the
virus (including taking their temperature) or
been exposed in the past 14 days. In addition
to this, students are using hand sanitizer each
time they leave a classroom to rid themselves
of any germs they could have picked up.
During lunch, when masks are removed, each
student sits outside ten feet apart while eating.
The Center of Disease Control (CDC)

says that being within six feet of someone
with the coronavirus for 15 minutes or longer
is considered being “exposed” to the virus.
With all of the guidelines SJA has in place, no
one on the campus has to be concerned with
exposure of the virus. This has comforted and
ensured the safety of our community.
English teacher Mr. Tim Kohler
agrees, saying, “I think the protocols in place
for St. Joe to reduce the risk of the spread
of COVID-19 within the school building
definitely feels safe, and I hope everyone
takes seriously our role to reduce the spread
within the larger community.”
In addition to the procedures during the
school day, there are also guidelines in place
for extracurricular activities. For example,
the dance team is practicing social distancing
by learning and performing their dances from
six feet apart in the gym. The tennis team is
also distancing from each other, and wearing
masks during warm ups. Volleyball has
similar practices in place, such as standing
six feet apart as much as possible and using
masks when they can. These same standards
go for the rest of the fall sports this year, and
Students sit socially distanced from each
other and are ready to learn in theology
class!
Photo by Ms. Kieffer
The Voice: Fall 2020 5
will potentially be in place for winter and
spring sports depending on what happens
with COVID between now and then. These
practices will hopefully prevent any future
outbreaks on our sports teams so that the hard
work the athletes are putting in can pay off as
their season continues.
Clubs have the option to continue to
meet in person on campus, six feet apart with
masks, or meeting virtually on Zoom calls.
However, the Phase Three plan of the split
alphabet on campus still applies to each club
in order to maintain everyone’s safety, so
some of the clubs choosing to meet in person
still have half of their students join meetings
virtually through Zoom if not on campus that
day.
Even though there are adjustments to
our extracurriculars this year, many students
feel grateful to be experiencing them at
all given the circumstances. Lilly Sadlo, a
junior on the SJA dance team, expressed her
gratitude to be able to have their annual dance
camp.
“While our future performances and
competitions are uncertain, we were lucky to
get to have our UDA Camp
socially distanced at school,”
Lilly said.
Thankfully, as tedious as
it may seem, the guidelines
set in place have made it
possible to come to school at
all in the midst of this hectic
“new normal” that the whole
world is adjusting to. With
the help of all of our students
and faculty, SJA can continue
to make it possible to be on
campus and still protect the
vulnerable members of our
community.

6 The Voice: Fall 2020
How to Socialize Safely
during a Pandemic
By: Rosie Johnson
With a pandemic
on most of our minds at the moment and safety being such an
important thing to pay attention to, how to see our friends and family
raises many questions. First of all, many individuals have COVID-19
concerns in different degrees as some remain more relaxed while
others are quite worried for the health of themselves and others.
Especially now, respect is such an important thing to be aware
of. Everyone has different views when it comes down to maintaining a
safe distance and wearing a mask, but we can all agree that we do not
want to get anyone sick or exposed. The St. Joe mission statement, “Not
I, but We,” helps us remember that it is not only about our individual
safety but for the safety of our friends and family, too.
Quarantine can be extremely boring when you have no human
interaction, causing anyone to feel disconnected, but there are many ways
to still see loved ones and peers in person and not contract any germs.
Many St. Joe students responded on how they safely socialize during a
pandemic world.
Senior Olivia Seidner explains, “To stay safe my friends and I parked our cars in a
circle and downloaded this app to watch Netflix at the same time. We all got to see the same movie
and safely socially distance.”
Another senior, Amelia Koch responded from her own experiences similarly.
“My friend and I went for a picnic in the park,” she said. “We stayed over 10 feet apart and wore our
masks when we were not eating. It was so nice to be outside and talk in the beautiful weather.”
Spending time outside is a great way to socially distance especially when people are not stuck
together in a room. Being outside allows a fresh breeze to blow away any of the germs, plus,
everyone could use fresh air!
Seniors Mary
Mansfield (left)
and Flynn
Wiegner (right) show off their
social distancing skills with
their spaced themed 6ft stick.
Photo by Ms. Kieffer
Let’s say the option to go outside is impossible. For example, maybe it’s raining or too cold. Going into someone’s home can
be uncomfortable for others, so do not become offended if someone declines the offer. It’s nothing personal, they are just watching out
for the safety of the community.
Alum Ellie Stevens, agreed there were times when the summer heat was too much to bear.
“My friends and I had a puppy playdate but it got very hot so we went inside and stayed our distance away from another but still had a
great time playing with our dogs,” Ellie said.
Junior, Ellie Johnson also tackled the taste of safely socializing indoors this summer.
“I visited my grandma this summer and, at first, we respected each other’s space. Once we got comfortable and knew we were both
safe we relaxed more,” she said. “It’s important not to push people during this time, respect their safety precautions.”
But what if someone contracts the virus or has been exposed and seeing others in person distantly is no longer an option.
Well thanks to modern day technology, that problem can be solved. Simply, hop on a Zoom call or grab your phone and facetime your
friends and family from any location. Facetime and Zoom are always a click away!
As the cases do continue to go up, it’s very important to wear a mask and keep 6-10 feet distance. It is also vital that if any
symptoms of being sick appear, listen to your body and rest while also avoiding direct contact with people. Remember to stay creative
and find new ways to socialize with pals while, of course, masking up!

What Masks to
Rock This Year
The Voice: Fall 2020 7
Written by: Sophie Gloriod
Art by Hanna Dressing
Fashion trends are always coming and going. 2020’s newest, and most important, fashion trend is
wearing a mask. Not only are masks important for preventing you from contracting other people’s germs,
but they also help stop your own germs from spreading. While at first masks can be annoying, they can
be a bold way to make a fashion statement. You can match your mask to your outfit, or add a bright pop of
color to your look. Junior Ava Niedbalski loves wearing masks as a fashion accessory.
“Besides the fact that they protect all of us, we have the freedom to choose cool ones
to wear, too,” she said.
The best type of mask to wear, both for your safety and in order to follow SJA
protocols, are two layered cotton masks. These masks prevent germs
from flying free into the air. Cloth masks such as these are easy to make yourself
with leftover fabric and materials easily found around the house, saving you money
and giving you fun activity to do while at home. Cloth masks are reusable and can be
thrown into the washing machine to make sure it’s clean.
Surgical masks are another great type of mask you can wear to stop
the spread of COVID-19. These masks are typically disposed after one use, but if
you let it quarantine for the appropriate amount of time between wears it can be used
again and again. These masks put little to no pressure on the ears and are very easy to
breathe in.
One type of mask you should avoid, both in your social life and at SJA, are
the gator masks. These masks are easy to spot as they look like neck scarves
or bandanas that are pulled up over the mouth. Gator masks are not thick enough to
prevent the spread of germs, and are not St. Joe approved. Although it’s crucial this
year to remember to rock a mask everyday at school, always make sure it’s not a
gator mask.
The best way to wear your mask is by making sure your nose and mouth are completely covered.
This minimizes the amount of germs that are able to be spread. A mask is not meant to be a chin strap, or
meant to leave your nose exposed. If you find the straps on your mask are too large you can tie a quick slip
knot in order to keep your mask snug against your face. Wearing a mask and wearing it properly is the
key to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a mask is extremely important. Not wearing one can risk both your health and the health of
those around you. They are super easy to find, being sold at nearly every store. They are a great accessory
that can show off your style.
As senior Megan Crane said, “I love masks because you are able to wear cool ones that
make you happy.” Masks are the current trend of 2020 that you should definitely follow.

8 The Voice: Fall 2020
Trending in the
New Normal
By Lily Bayer
Art by Lauren Bowers
It’s hard to believe we’ve been
living with Covid-19 for almost six
months. It’s fair to say it rocked the
world, and more specifically our world.
In the blink of an eye, all the things that
once filled our time were cancelled,
pushed back, or modified. School over.
Sports over. Socializing over. At first
with every activity vanishing, it seemed
devastating, but as the days and weeks
ticked by, we made adjustments. Our
more creative side took over as we
looked for ways to squash our boredom.
We settled into our new normal.
Many of our new found interests
came and went as trends often do.
Trends change with the seasons or with
what celebrities and “influencers” say
you “need,” but these implied that we
were just driven by the sheer number of
unfilled hours in the day. In particular,
my screen time was how long? A
common question we asked ourselves
each day cooped up
in our homes.
TikTok, an
app where creators
share one minute
videos involving
dancing, comedy,
etc., took social
media by storm, leading us into a new
realm of entertainment and activities.
With a never-ending feed and a plethora
of content, it was hard not to give into
making the five ingredient cookies,
or begin treating yourself as the main
character in your life. Any trend that was
circulating, Tik Tok enhanced it, while
simultaneously shortening our attention
spans.
Switching to a larger screen,
watching the hit Netflix show, Outer
Banks was also a quarantine must. It
highlights taking risks, spending every
minute outdoors, and realizing the
importance of
a good support
system. All
messages
that seemed
quite fitting at
the time. For
instance, dying
your hair pink,
taking your
seventh walk
of the day, and
recognizing
how much of
an impact our friends have on our lives.
Senior Grace Kinzel binged Outer
Banks during early quarantine like
many others.
“Outer Banks motivated me to want
to make the most of my teenage years,
when quarantine was over,” Grace
said. “It made you realize how much
adventure we are missing out on, and it
definitely made me miss my friends, as
well.”
So, as we hope for the coming
of a vaccine, we most certainly have
enough time to envision the adventure
that awaits. If you have never seen
Outer Banks, have that be your take
away. But let’s face it, if you don’t
know who “John B” is, were you really
even in quarantine?
But let’s face it, if you
don’t know who “John
B” is, were you really
even in quarantine?
Other activities discovered or
rediscovered during quarantine may
have a longer life span. Movie nights
and card games, family dinners and
long walks… so many walks. It was
deemed scientifically acceptable, go
outside, but do not go out. Because
of this, reconnecting with nature and
recognizing the importance of family
and friendship ranked high on the
favorite activities list. Many people
have said they are reminded of a
simpler time with less hustle and bustle.
Junior Caroline Conaty, like many
others, was quick to welcome the
change.
“I even played tennis with my family a
couple of times, and it was nice because
I wasn’t competing for a tournament
win [that were obviously postponed
at the time], but instead playing a
sport for fun with my family, which I
probably would not have done without
quarantine,” Caroline said.
Whether it was tie-dying
sweatsuits with your siblings, hosting
social distanced car meet-ups with
your friends, or crushing your parents
in tennis these quarantivities became
the new normal, often surprising us,
because we were finding fun in such a
dark time.
And walks…
so many walks.
So here we are. Six months
in and no end in sight. We are rocking
the coolest masks and still staying six
feet apart. We’ve moved on from Outer
Banks, but we are still on our screens.
Although in our defense, those screens
now include virtual school. We’ve
returned to a little more hustle and
a little more bustle, but continue the
connection to family and friends. And
walks… so many walks.
OUTER
BANKS

St. Joseph is especially a great example of a
strong faith figure, especially at St. Joe.
Photo by Grace Sullivan
The Voice: Fall 2020 9
Keeping the Faith in
Coronavirus’ Times
By Lilly Skaggs
COVID-19 has truly taken a toll on the lives
of many, causing stress, loss, and annoyance.
In times like these especially, personal faith can
become weak and doubts in God can arise. Even
I have had ups and downs in my faith life during
this uncertain time. I sometimes have found
myself asking, “Where is God in all of this?”
Although I am no expert, I came up with one
important tip to stay strong in faith.
As negative thoughts almost took control of my
faith life, I had forgotten about one of the most
profound parts of St. Joe: GOGs (Glimpses of
God). So, my first tip is to seek good things
that can come through the virus. This sounds
extremely hard to do, but God is good. I had to
remind myself of that.
When I began to be on the lookout for unexpected
ways God was appearing in my life and those
around me, I was reminded of Revelation 1:17.
This verse states, “Do not be afraid.” This brought me to the realization that God is tirelessly working to turn
our suffering into joy.
Junior Kathleen Dolan thought about a very uplifting Bible quote during her quarantine experience that
reminds her to be positive, especially in faith. Proverbs 17:22 states, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but
a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
“This Bible verse reminds me to be cheerful in hard times,” Kathleens said. “Staying positive benefits me in
the long run, and I would much rather be positive than have negative thoughts ruin my day.”
Another way this tip made faith a little easier was from all of the extra free time that quarantine allowed,
letting everyone sit back and truly think about the things that matter most to us. For some, it was journaling,
others prayer. Some, like junior Olivia Spalitto, used this time to become closer to their family.
“My time in quarantine was used positively by allowing me to strengthen my relationships with my family
members,” Olivia said. “Together as a family, we faced the challenges of this new, unknown virus. We also
became closer to one another.”
Through this time of quarantining, I found myself very attached to God because of this realization in more
“free time.” No matter what situation a person may be going through, I highly recommend finding the good
that can come from it. In my case, this led to me strengthening my faith.
Something amazing is that we can still participate in our faith through Mass during this unforeseen time. A
lot of Churches are offering distanced Masses, as well as virtual. God is seriously everywhere, whether in
person at Mass or not.
Although we are all living in uncertain times, God is always there. It may have taken me a long time
this year to realize it, but once I did I automatically saw a difference in how I viewed life. Most importantly,
never forget the use of GOGs.

10 The Voice: Fall 2020
It has been six months since the coronavirus pandemic caused people all over the world to
quarantine and socially distance themselves from others. At first, being away from people while
wearing a mask was different and uncomfortable for everyone but not the worst thing in the world.
However, as the months went by, people started to get antsy only for the boredom to worsen once
school ended and summer vacation began.
I, myself, tried to make the best of my summer during the outbreak by going to the Lake of the Ozarks
with my family far away from where the residents stayed. I was curious to see what other people at St.
Joe did in the summer while practicing the new social and health guidelines, so I asked around, and
here’s what I found out.
Senior Mia Adamski decided to go do some
redecorating in her room during the summer. She went to her
nearest Home Depot for paint.
“I have been wanting to paint my bedroom wall and I thought
might as well with the new time I had this summer,” Mia
said.
When deciding just what she wanted to paint, the answer was
obvious to her.
“I wanted to paint a butterfly because I thought it would be a
beautiful blend of colors with my wall. I was excited when I
started to paint my wall, and I was proud of how the butterfly turned out. I had a lot of fun painting it
with my sister [sophomore Noelle Adamski] while listening to our favorite music!”
As Mia was busy painting her room, junior Courtney Kilcullin was determined to not let
COVID- 19 take her summer away by doing a classic summer activity: going to the pool.
“I was happy that I could still go to the pool. They [the lifeguards] cleaned any open chair and kept
each one six feet from one another, and they made sure to wear masks while working,” Courney said.
“Both my family and I felt safe while there, and honestly, I was glad that I could still spend time at the
pool with my friends and family.”
Although Courtney took the traditional route of summer by tanning and swimming at the pool,
senior Libby Ring was also surrounded by the sun and water in a completely different way. Unlike most
people, Libby experienced scuba diving with her dad.
“I got my license a couple of months earlier and I was excited to finally go use my license during the
summer,” Libby said. “Though we had to be safe when going scuba diving, I had a lot of fun swimming
around and seeing all of the sea creatures with my dad, and I cannot wait to go and do it again next
summer!”

The Voice: Fall 2020 11
However, enjoying summer outside in the sweltering sun isn’t for everybody. Senior Claire Price
decided instead of soaking up the sun, she would travel to a much cooler destination: Wyoming.
“My grandparents have a ranch up there, and we went to go help them with the ranch,” Claire said.
She spent her days taking care of the horses, fixing barbed wire fencing, learning how to irrigate using
river water, and doing some homestead maintenance. Although all that might seem like tiring work, it
was nothing for Claire whose payday was the smile on her grandparents’ faces.
“I liked seeing my grandparents, though I had to be safe before visiting, and while I was there with
them. It was a great time to spend with my family and grandparents, and I
especially like getting out of the house for a bit,” she said.
Near the end of summer, senior Megan Crane was able to attend her
cousin’s wedding. While some summer brides and grooms decided to cancel
or postpone their weddings, others adapted.
“My cousin and her fiance [now husband] have been planning this for a long
time, and I was happy that they did not have to cancel their wedding or tell
guests that they could not come because of COVID.”
She continued by saying, “Although we had to wear masks and social
distance, I had a lot of fun being part of her bridal party, and seeing her walk
down the aisle made me smile.”
Meanwhile, freshman Anna Vincent made sure that she
stayed involved in her youth group. She said they started
the summer on Zoom calls, but then moved to in-person
meetings on the grade school’s soccer fields.
“For me, it was hard at first to remember to socially
distance from my friends, and sometimes I would forget to
bring or wear my mask, but I got the hang of it eventually.
Although I struggled to be safe when my group first started
getting together, it was always worth it in the end.”
She continued, “We are starting to go back in our mission of helping out to our community, and
right now our community needs our help more than ever. What my youth group is doing currently
is collecting and donating hygiene items, such as toothpaste, dental floss, soap, etc… We found this
opportunity through one of our core leaders who know of a nearby school that helps provide both
education and common household items to students and their families who cannot always afford these
things.”
After finishing these interviews, it became evident that St. Joe students made their summer
the best they could during the coronavirus pandemic finding the silver-lining in all things. We will
definitely be telling our future kids about our experiences during this time, and at least there are some
good moments to reflect on.
As we go into the new 2020-2021 school year, we need to keep remembering to practice our safe
socialization by staying six feet away from each other, washing our hands clean (at least 20 seconds or
the happy birthday song twice), and always wearing masks while in school or public places. So, what

12 The Voice: Fall 2020
Maintaining a Healthy
Lifestyle During COVID-19
By Anna Carollo art by Hanna Dressing
COVID-19 disrupted life in a variety of wayspostponing
sports seasons, shortening the school
year, requiring masks, closing almost all businesses
temporarily, and enforcing technological usage to a
new degree for all generations. While people discuss
these disruptions in a negative connotation, there
were also positives to this time; however, in order to
make these moments positive, an individual must take
initiative and have a desire to make the most of this
unexpected time.
In terms of benefits, COVID-19 gave individuals the
opportunity to try something new as well as catch
up on life. COVID-19 caused all people around the
world to suddenly have an
abundance of free time, and
with that time, people had a
decision: to be lazy waiting for
the return of normalcy or to be
productive during an uncertain
time.
In addition, for
anyone who decided to wait
around for the world to
return to normal, most did
not recognize what the new
“normal” would entail. During
the beginning of quarantine
around March 2020, no one
expected masks to be worn by
every person in the near future
or a continuation of social
distancing for such a long
period of time. In this way, those people that decided
to do less during quarantine only set themselves up
to be unprepared for when the new “normal” would
return.
However, it is never too late to change your
individual ways during COVID-19 as the pandemic
still has not reached closure. In terms of this new
“normal,” it is an especially good time to create a
Senior Grace Kertz staying active during
COVID-19 by walking on a treadmill
Photo by Anna Carollo
routine for oneself in order to adjust to the uncertain
future.
Although a routine may
begin as a challenge, it will allow people to not only
maintain a healthy lifestyle through consistency and
organization, but also lead to more productivity within
each day of a person’s life.
Of course, productivity is a decision a
person must make, so before creating a routine, it is
important to self-evaluate. For starters, think about
personal strengths, personal goals, and weaknesses
or areas for improvement. For example, a simple and
quick way to start creating a routine for oneself is
by writing down goals with the intent to accomplish
those goals the next day. These
goals do not need to necessarily
be extraordinary, especially in the
beginning. Start by writing simple
goals down such as making your
bed, reading for 20 minutes,
or going on a run. Whenever
each goal is accomplished,
cross that off the list. By the end
of the day, crossing off even
one accomplished goal shows
the effort and initiative to be
productive. By making these goals
a daily habit, a personal routine
will begin to form.
Over quarantine, senior Grace
Kertz decided what worked for
her in order to form habits for her
healthy routine.
“For me, having a consistent bedtime and a consistent
wake up time in the morning made such a difference. I
didn’t give myself the option to just lay in bed all day.
I got up, and I got to work,” she said.
However, any person that tries this must focus on
consistency and show determination in order to see
successful results.
From this self-evaluation, a person should

The Voice: Fall 2020 13
prioritize what he or she wants to achieve the most
whether that be to focus in school, starting eating
healthier, or getting more sleep at night. By creating
a personal routine, a person’s lifestyle becomes
individualized, so that he or she truly gets the most
personal benefits out of the routine. Also, an individual
is not only becoming more productive with his or
her time, but by staying committed and consistent,
he or she truly is maintaining a healthy and balanced
lifestyle.
Specifically in terms of COVID-19, most
people experience more spare time on their hands, so it
can be difficult to find different ways to occupy oneself
and form a routine with constant boredom.
Senior Lily Bayer explained that she struggled with
boredom.
“ I could not necessarily see her friends to stay
occupied when … [she] had nothing to do,” she said.
Lily explained that she had to find new activities to do
both by herself and with her friends including walking
and meeting up in cars staying at a distance, of course.
A quick solution for someone is to try out a
variety of activities in order to find what he or she
enjoys most. By enjoying the activity, a person is
much more likely to maintain it and therefore benefit
from it.
For example, if a girl’s goal is to start exercising and
she previously hated working out, she could try out
different types of exercise- walking, running, strength
training, swimming, biking, etc.- until she finds a form
of exercise that is enjoyable. Not only is she doing
something with her time, but also she is discovering
what she likes and dislikes. On the other hand, if a
girl’s personal goal is to read more, she can start by
reading for a few minutes before going to bed, and
not only can that girl discover what genres she is most
drawn to, but also she can gradually become a faster
reader and more enhanced thinker.
Another important factor when it comes to
staying busy is trying to stay away from a screen.
Exercising
Doing a puzzle
Cooking/
baking
Journaling
Studying a
language
Reading
Painting
Listening to
a podcast
Cleaning room
Playing an
instrument
Because technological usage already has skyrocketed
with COVID-19 in terms of school and certain
extracurriculars, finding ways to try things away from
technology can be extremely beneficial, and it will
help life become more balanced.
Some examples of ways to stay busy include:
While COVID-19 disrupted daily routine
transforming what used to be considered normal,
people now must create a new “normal” for
themselves. Although it can be challenging, in the end,
the results will be worth the time and energy. While
sports, extracurricular activities, or social events
remain somewhat uncertain, it is extremely important
to work around those obstacles.
It is also important to remember balance,
however. If time is needed to oneself, do some online
shopping, watch some television, or take a break from
busyness. The key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is
to stay occupied with balance. While someone should
intend to stay productive, there are moments where
someone can simply spend some time to himself or
herself.
Lastly, while everyone continues to work towards
normalizing life in school, sports teams, and
extracurriculars, things still remain different. It is
important to take initiative and stay on top of things as
a way to remain organized in a fairly uncertain time.
In the end, it is important to find healthy solutions to
boredom during quarantine while also taking a break
to relax. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is all about
finding balance in everyday life.

14 The Voice: Fall 2020
As we all know by now, 2020 has thrown the entire world for a loop that none
of us saw coming. Sure, Covid may have thrown a wrench into our summer plans and
extracurriculars, but that is no reason to wallow in what could have been. In fact, quarantine
allows us to have more time to try out new things. I bet some of us have even put off
attempting some of these new hobbies, but there is no better time than the present! Even
if you do not have a clue about where to start, that is where I come in to help. These 4
activities, or what I like to call them, Covid Kickstarters, are some of the best and easiest
things to attempt when looking for something to do!
Don’t you just hate it when your sweet tooth starts kicking in but there is nothing
sweet in the house? Well not anymore, because once quarantine is over, you will be the
best baker on the block. Whether it be cookies, cupcakes, or gooey butter cake (a personal
favorite of mine), baking enables you to have fun and mix things up. With countless recipes
online, baking has never been easier. It is almost as if after each cup of sugar is poured into
the mixer, the bitterness of quarantine subsides, even if it is just ‘til the oven warms up!
Despite possibly being the most time consuming activity on this list, the time ticks
away, especially once you show off your latest creation to your family. Kiss that premade
garbage away and say hello to your latest and greatest hobby. Besides, homemade trumps
all!
ART BY LAUREN BOWERS
Okay, okay, hear me out, working out is fun. Yes, I know what I
just said, but I stand by it, particularly after remaining home for the past
few months. The best way to make it fun is by finding a workout that fits
you and your personality. For instance, a stationary bike does not suit
everyone, trust me, I know. Instead, running a few blocks, or miles, may
be more your speed.
“I could spend hours at the gym,” senior Anna Carollo said.“It
always makes my day feel more productive and boosts my energy!”
If that still is not working, take it slow and go for a walk.
Whatever exercise floats your boat, all have great health benefits, both

The Voice: Fall 2020 15
physical and mental. Harvard Medical School amongst various other renowned institutions
have proven that by working out, the brain releases tons of endorphins, which then
puts you and your body in a much better mood. When grooving to the perfect playlist,
quarantine does not stand a chance! Nothing says making the best out of a bad
situation like tricking your brain into having fun!
As cheesy as it may sound, nothing can beat a nice, lowkey
night watching your favorite flick! Although I do not suggest
binging an entire series, trust me, it strains your eyes, movies can
bring up great memories from the past. Heck, even make it a family event!
Nothing is better than your dad’s confused comments about what is going on, it’s almost as
if you are at Marcus Cinema.
“Movies can be such a great way to relax, especially after a long day of homework
and projects,” senior Megan Wilcutt said.
So grab some popcorn, pick the best spot on the couch (the corner is the best), and
let your imagination run wild, because you ma’am, are the main character!
Lastly, and arguably the most important one, do not forget to treat yourself to a
night to yourself. Face masks, hair masks, even foot masks can make you feel like the
best version of yourself, and who doesn’t need that in these troubling times? By taking
the time to put on those teeth whiteners it gives you the opportunity to reflect on your day.
Sometimes, in all the frantic changes and bustle around the pandemic, it is necessary to
take a step back and focus on the little things, for this situation has already taken so much
from us, do not let it also take away your inner self. All in all, self differs from person to
person. To some, it may be reading a book, while to others, it may be the usual bubble
bath. Whatever way is most effective for your lifestyle, a self help day can make your
entire week ten times better.
Whether you plan on watching the latest blockbuster or curl up with the hottest
novel, make sure that whatever you are doing makes you happy. Remember, these are only
suggestions and starting points to help you get you back in the right direction. These Covid
Kickstarters are only a few of the many things that can boost your serotonin through the
roof! During these times, it is extremely important to embrace new things and do what you
love, no matter what.

1.
The Voice: Fall 2020 16
From Earth to sky, let
our song resound
Singing Until We’re Spotless
Singing Until We’re Spotless
Art by Lauren Bowers
visit http://washyourlyrics.com to explore
more songs
2.
3.
4.
5.
In praise of St.
Joseph’s Academy.
Where our hopes are
nurtured, and dreams
come true
and friendships are
fostered in loyalty.
The mem’ries of the
hours we’ve shared.
6.
7.
8.
9.
We’ll always cherish
with fidelity.
The carefree hours
and youth’s bright
laugh
Salute! St. Joseph’s
Academy.
With sturdy hearts
we hold aloft
10.
11.
12.
13.
the colors we’ll
always defend.
So raise the banner
of green and white
and let our voices
blend.
Salute! St. Joseph’s
Academy.