Virtual Education: My Highschool Experience

 By Veronica Marchak, ’22

Mrs. Julia Fuhrman, Social Studies Department Chairperson, teaches
her class concurrently with both virtual and in-person learners. 

Life is full of surprises, some of which are pleasant and others not so much. The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to people world-wide, one being effective virtual learning. “The new normal” is a phrase that many have applied while handling the pandemic and, for me, virtual learning became my new normal. 

I am glad that, during these uncertain times, Delone Catholic presented its students with the option to attend school in-person or virtually, keeping in mind a student’s personal and familial circumstances. After waving the pros and cons, I made the decision to complete the 2020-2021 school year virtually. 


Virtual learning was a very interesting and rich experience that provided me with various new discoveries, such as improving my self-discipline through managing my homework, schedule and extracurriculars. 


This independence with my schoolwork has allowed me to become more responsible, accountable, and self-sufficient - a good lesson to become more prepared for college. By creating a professional setting in my room, I was able to transform my environment into a in-home classroom, something that was important to me and my virtual learning process. 


My teachers helped establish a connection with the classroom through inclusive activities with the in-person students, constant communication for assignments and lessons, as well as help if it was needed. 


However, what I missed the most about in-person learning was my connection with my teachers and classmates. Virtual-learning, while it had its limitations, was a valuable experience and something I cherish as this year comes to a close. 


The efforts of the faculty and staff of Delone Catholic enabled me to be confident about my work this year and allowed me to succeed in a new learning environment. I am excited to continue my learning as a senior next year and believe that my experiences have better prepared me to handle my education beyond high school. 

Popular posts from this blog

New Accomplishments for Transfer Student

Image
By Claire McMaster ‘27 Photo courtesy of Brienna Richelle Photography Amelia Posner was the new starting   forward for the Delone Catholic Field   Hockey team while also being a relatively new member of the Delone student body. With that, she has faced many challenges along the way   throughout her academic life. Amelia has moved around all her life because of her dad’s role in the U.S. Army, so adapting came naturally to her. The one adaptation she wasn’t familiar with was discontinuing a sport she had played for four years prior to her senior year and starting a new sport.  Field Hockey was a fresh start for Amelia. She said, “As a transfer, it was definitely a challenge to find my fit here, but I found people who support me, and are always uplifting and positive; great teammates are the game changer when it comes to the athletic environment.”  Picking up a new sport can be hard for anyone, especially when just moving to a new school. Luckily, Amelia has play...
Read more

Making Headlines: Speech & Debate

Image
by Alessandra Colantoni '27 “In my summary, Speech and Debate is a creative community that closely compares to the theater,” Kali Hilfiger ‘26 says when asked about the sport that she has participated in since eighth grade. Coached by Mr. Derf Maitland, one of the English teachers here at Delone, as well as Mrs. Janet, the members of the speech and debate team work hard each week to perfect and perform what are hoped to be award-winning pieces at one of the many competitions attended throughout the season. Photo courtesy of Derf Maitland  According to Riley Slee ‘24, “We practice in either the library or Mr. Maitland’s room twice a week for about two hours each meeting”. During the duration of these practices, students in the speech category practice their self-chosen pieces from a category of their choice. Category topics include the following: humorous interpretation, dramatic interpretation, poetry, duos, etc.  They then head off to a competition, where their pieces are pre...
Read more

A Blast from the Past: DCHS Then & Now

Image
 by Ella Kuhn '24 Our story begins back in the 1960s, at Delone Catholic High School. Margaret Knox, my grandma, was entering her freshman year at Delone Catholic High School. Margaret came from a family of six siblings where she lived in the neighborhood behind Annunciation church.  In 1961, Dave Knox, my pappy, entered his freshman year at Delone Catholic. Dave also came from a family of six siblings, and they lived in the town of Gettysburg, Pa.  Present-day David and Margaret Knox wear Delone sweaters Photo courtesy of Ella Kuhn During this time, it only cost fifty dollars to attend Delone.  Dave would arrive at school by getting a ride from one of his buddies or by taking one of the four buses that ran from Gettysburg to Delone. On the other hand, Margaret would walk to school because she lived in McSherrystown and you were expected to walk or get a ride because there was no bus available.  Since then cars have become the main way of transportation and ...
Read more