By Ben Chang-Holt II
As Roxbury Latin boys looked ahead to the summer of 2020, they were worried about what was to come. Was there any chance of getting a paying summer job? Could they still be selected for that coveted research internship they had been hoping for? Would they be able to travel around the world? Most RL boys gave up, only making plans to sleep in until noon, play video games all day, and binge-watch The Office for the 14th time. Many resigned themselves to the inevitable: their summer would, sadly, be utterly “unproductive.” Then, COVID-19 arrived.
Those who did actually have full plates this summer are now left with scraps.
In all seriousness, the majority of summer plans have indeed been disrupted due to the coronavirus that is currently sweeping through the world. This situation has left many RL students wondering what to do. Those who did actually have full plates this summer are now left with scraps. Although some programs may not have been cancelled yet, the possibility of their eventually shutting down seems high. Others have already been cancelled, with no chances of their happening this summer.
RL’s Summer Immersion Trips are one example of programs that have been loved by many for years, but have unfortunately been shut down. The annual trips to France and Spain have become a crucial part of the RL experience for those taking modern foreign languages. Mrs. White, the organizer of the immersion trips, stated that “It is all the more heartbreaking because this would have been the tenth anniversary for our immersion programs.” She also revealed that the programs were cancelled not only because of concerns about travel, but also because “under such difficult and precarious circumstances, [they] wouldn’t be able to maintain the high quality and integrity of the program.”
“[The cancellation of summer immersion programs] is all the more heartbreaking because this would have been the tenth anniversary for our immersion programs.” – Mrs. White
Unfortunately, the loss of these trips has taken away the opportunity for some RL students not only to improve their studies in their modern languages, but also to bond with their classmates in a setting outside of school.
Plans for the RL Summer Programs on campus, which include sports clinics, art camps, and academic courses, are taking shape, although with a different emphasis and in a different format. Check the RL website for evolving details.
Mr. Tomaino, head of RL Summer Programs, noted that “RL Summer is responding, planning, and communicating in ways that are consistent with the advice of local and federal agencies, and—as always—with the best interest of our campers and staff in mind.” He continued, “We have been in contact with other organizations that support summer programming and continue to envision ways in which summer programming can still occur while ensuring the safety of our camp community and local community.” Besides the campers, a number of RL students work as counselors for RL Summer, so their plans for the summer are also in jeopardy.
With all the uncertainty surroumding this summer, how are RL students adapting to the new circumstances? While many may be feeling hopeless, some feel as if their summer hasn’t changed much at all. For Walker Oberg II, a varsity tennis player, weekly tournaments have been cancelled over the summer, but he will still be playing about the same amount of tennis as he would have without the coronavirus. Others, however, haven’t had such an easy time. Ben Crawford II, who originally planned to go on an RL trip to Botswana and work for Mass Audubon at RL, is now looking for a babysitting job and hoping that Mass Audubon is delayed rather than cancelled.
So what can an RL student do if his plans have all been cancelled? Surely there is something to do during the pandemic. In fact, I’ve compiled a list of some ideas that I think are perfect for a summer filled with social distancing:
Take an online course
I know, I know. Not exactly the strongest start. I promise it gets better. School during the summer? No thanks. I know exactly what most of you are thinking: I get enough work during the school year. I don’t need more during the summer! I agree with you. But hey, if I end up trying this idea, maybe for the first time I won’t forget everything from the previous school year.
Try a new hobby
Have you ever wanted to learn how to cook? Or how to ride a skateboard? Or how to play the guitar? Well, this idea is perfect for you then. This quarantine summer is the perfect time to try something that you’ve always wanted to try, realize you hate it, and never attempt it again. When else are you going to have the time to learn that you don’t like origami?
Talk with a friend (six feet apart)
I know that most people have probably had more FaceTime calls over the past two weeks than over the whole rest of the year. However, FaceTime can get a little boring. This idea is one that I’ve tested out personally. If you stand on one side of the street, and your friend stands on the opposite sidewalk, you can actually have quite a nice conversation by yelling across. This way, you can stay safe from loneliness and the pandemic at the same time. Win-win.
Don’t do any of these and sleep instead
Look, I’ve saved the best for last. I’ve calculated the numbers, and if I sleep for 20 hours a day every day until school starts again, I’ll only be two hours behind on sleep after the first week. This is the perfect time to catch up on all the sleep you’ve lost over your years at RL. Plus, no one can blame you, since you can’t leave the house anyway.
