2021 Spring Print

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10 The Voice: Spring 2020Since mid-January, the COVID-19 vaccinehas been made available for Phase 1B tiers 1 and 2Missouri residents. This means that healthcare workers,first responders, government employees, anyoneover 65 years of age, and any adult with underlyingconditions are eligible for the vaccine.The state of Missouri is still determiningwhen tier 3 residents will be allowed to receive thevaccine. Among the tier 3 residents include teachers,faculty, and staff at private, public, and K-12 non-profitschools. As the state of Missouri continues to quicklycontinue down the tiers, many students and teachers arewondering what will happen for them when the vaccinewill become available for them.Ms. Karen Davis, Principal of Academic Affairs,has been working very hard to keep St. Joe safe duringthe COVID-19 Pandemic.“We have registered our school as anorganization to be vaccinated when possible,” Ms.Davis said.Sophomore Brynley Wall is patiently waitingfor the day when the COVID-19 vaccine becomesavailable for students.“Eventually I would like to get the vaccine so Ican return to a somewhat normal life filled with manyfun activities, but the people who need it more than meshould be able to get it before I do,” Brynley said.Aluma Hannah Pingleton who graduated fromSt. Joe in 2014 is now a nurse at Mercy Hospital. Sherecently got her second round of the vaccine, and hasmuch to say about it.“I chose to get the vaccine to protect the peopleI love,” Hannah said. “If we want life to get back tonormal, we have to take certain measures to defendourselves against the virus: masks, social distancing,and getting the vaccine.”As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes availableto more people, consider the benefits this newtechnology offers. If you have any questions about thevaccine or the availability of the vaccine, reach out toa healthcare professional or visit St. Louis Missouri’sGovernment website for more information. Withvaccination plans rolling out, remember to mask up,socially distance, stay home if you’re sick, and staypositive.Seniors. Ellaand GraceKertz posewith theirvaccine cards.
The Voice: Spring 2020 11In the midst of COVID-19, service is still a necessity within the community, from tutoring toddlers to socializing withseniors. Although at-home service requires greater technology and creativity than before the pandemic, volunteer work remains notonly possible in the midst of social distancing, but also beneficial to the volunteers as well as those receiving the service. While manyorganizations have found ways to virtually continue their services, there are also individual volunteer activities that can contribute tothe betterment of the community using personal talent, interest, and social media platforms.Sewing masks for those in needBy making masks for those in the community, this personal act can have a direct and rapid effect on the health and wellbeingof individuals. While the pandemic continues to affect the world today, there is a constant need for reusable masks for those inat-risk environments, whether that consist of a job or an overall population. Plenty of tutorials exist via YouTube or Google, andorganizations who receive mask donations can be found with a simple internet search. Through this act of service, teenagers andyoung adults receive a newfound social awareness of those who are most at-risk or who live in an extremely at-risk environment.Becoming a virtual tutorIn terms of the St. Joe community, tutoring as service allows students the opportunity to use their valuable education forthe greater good. Additionally, clubs and organizations at St. Joe such as National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and several otherhonor societies require tutoring service hours. A great way to get involved as a tutor is to create a personal flyer that parents andstudents can post on social media in order to get public attention. Virtual tutoring may appear more difficult than in-person tutoring;although, with time, it will undoubtedly get easier. Additionally, while contact still occurs through a screen, by actually speaking tosomeone, a tutor gains better social skills, whether that be with a child or with a child’s parents.Creatively fundraising and donating to those in needWhile fundraising may appear difficult at this time due to many unexpected financial problems as a result of COVID-19, it isimportant to remember that even the smallest contribution can help. In fact, with high numbers willing to donate, the smallest moneydonations combine to form extreme values that can benefit a large number of people in need.A perfect example of fundraising and donating involves senior Taylor Polcyn, who reached out and encouraged her 368.8K Tik Tokfollowers to raise money for homeless shelters that were in serious need of food donations.“My followers donate ‘gifts’ when I livestream to simply just be generous. I wasn’t necessarily doing anything to earn thismoney, so I felt guilty keeping it all to myself, and I wanted to help people that really needed it. That’s where the idea came from.Also, many of the Tik Toks that I post reflect positive Christian values, so as a result, many of my followers have really kind hearts!They have been super generous, and this definitely isn’t all me! I’m super grateful for them, and I’m so blessed to even have thisplatform to begin with,” Taylor said.In this way, Taylor uses her social media platform for the good of society as well as a form of service.Making blanketsThis service activity can actually be done with friends, as long as social distancing is maintained. Additionally, it is simple.All that is needed is felt and scissors. Buy two large pieces of felt as any local fabric store, such as Hobby Lobby. Then, lay the twopieces on top of one another, so that they are perfectly aligned. With scissors, simply cut about two to three inch strips along all theedges about one inch apart from one another. Afterwards, tie one felt strip to the other felt strip aligned with it, so that a knot forms.Continue to make knots around the entire felt sheet, and a blanket forms in the end. (See photo above by Anna Carollo)Senior Ella Kertz, who plays club soccer and varsity soccer, at St. Joe reflects on this service activity she performed with her clubsoccer team.“As part of our service commitment for my soccer club, we all spread out in a massive room and individually made blanketsout of felt. We socialized at a distance and played music, which made the service very enjoyable,” explained Ella.This form of service is a simple and fun way to help out those less fortunate. In regards to the winter, these blankets can beespecially useful to the homeless, who have nowhere warm to go during winter months.In these four ways, it is not only a simple way to receive service hours during this time of physical interactive uncertainty, butalso it is impactful for the greater good of the community. Whether performing these acts of service alone through tutoring or gettinga group together for a socially distanced hour of blanket making, service is not only possible at home, but also it is entertaining andrewarding.
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