How Social Platforms Are Connecting Sem Through Challenges and Virtual Activities

By Shane Holcombe ’23 and Maddie Olshemski ’23

During a time of great uncertainty, the Wyoming Seminary community exemplified the True, the Beautiful, and the Good by reaching out to one another through social platforms. Through Zoom calls, lifestyle challenges, virtual school spirit, and appreciation for Sem staff, students and faculty thought out of the box to stay as connected as possible.

 Zoom chats revolutionized SEMs education and online interaction community. Teachers had to adapt their plans for their classes as well as how they present their course material to their students. After interviewing Mrs. Swaback, Dean of the Class of 2023, and Geometry teacher, one message was clear: students weren’t alone in navigating online learning issues. Mrs. Swaback said, “Teachers had minimal time to prepare for online classes, which led to lots of experimenting in learning strategies.” While experimenting with online learning, teachers used feedback from their students to expand on what was working and cut down on what wasn’t. Mrs. Mozeleski, Dean of the Class of 2021 and the Head Athletic Trainer, said in an interview that it is “traumatizing walking through campus without the usual energy.” 

Like the teachers, students adapted throughout the spring trimester. Some students have enjoyed the amount of free time online learning has provided, however many miss the excitement and structure of a normal school day. Freshman Alex Inhyuk Kang ‘23 in an interview said, “I liked that I had more time to do homework. However, it is really boring to study alone. My friends and I created a Zoom group chat and just talk about how we’re doing.” Friends have turned to Zoom to stay connected and to all be together with one another. The Sem community also used Zoom for movie nights together and the summer send-off assembly. Friends have not only interacted online but also got creative to see their peers in person. For example, drive-by birthday parties have brought friends together to celebrate a special day.

Athletic teams have bonded through online meetings and challenges. Athletes have made the best out of their situation with at-home workout videos with their teams and DIY gyms with objects as simple as water jugs. Football player Edwin Lora said in a text exchange, “I don’t have any weights in my house like many others do so I have to work with what I have.” Well deserved awards were still given out through coaches’ videos, which brought teams together. Sem athletes are training constantly to be ready when the time comes to resume their sports.