Everything changed on March 12th for many students on the Marist College campus. The coronavirus pandemic became very real for everyone being that President Murray extended spring break another week and sent a follow up email stating that there is a possibility of classes being online. Jake Lawrie, a student at Marist, said, “I am shocked by how fast things changed. To me it never felt real and before I knew it, it was.” For many students, they can relate to how shocking and real this pandemic became as more and more people in New York contracted the virus. Luckily, no one in Dutchess County had COVID-19, but with the media keeping constant updates on areas getting more positive tests for the virus, it is injecting fear into students all over the country. 

“Another area that has been influenced by the virus was the annual fashion show at Marist. It showcases all seniors designs and if Marist chooses to do online courses for the rest of the year, the seniors won’t get the opportunity they deserve,” said Bianca Vogelsberg, a fashion major at Marist. These students who have prepared for the fashion show clearly have a desire to finish what they started, and Vogelsberg continued to speak on the opportunities these seniors get to showcase their abilities to top companies. 

The coronavirus has impacted so many lives as it just so happened that every major sports association and league either suspended or delayed their seasons. This effect became real for senior pitcher for Marist, Skyler Pichardo, as he couldn’t even walk off the field knowing it was his final game ever in a uniform. “Ever since I was 5 years old I have been playing baseball, and to not even get a chance to try and go out with a championship hurts,” said Pichardo. “Hopefully the NCAA comes together keeping in mind the many seniors that will never play their respective sports again,” mentioned Pichardo, as he discussed the idea of coming back again if the NCAA granted him and his class another year. Athletes all over the country are suffering from this global pandemic. 

It has been crazy all over campus as parents came up early to pick up their children for break. With students from Italy coming back and being “self-quarantined,” it has made junior Hunter Cobb very upset that they were back on campus considering that Italy is in a state of emergency where many are taking precautions before going outside. Cobb is also a football player who was looking forward to his spring game and practices: “For football this affects us deep not only we don’t get to play our spring game but we also don’t have the opportunity to get the needed reps that help us build team chemistry and prepare us for the upcoming season as it will have a major effect when we come back for the season.” Cobb also mentioned that his mother is nurse and had been constantly telling him to wash his hands at all times because cases are popping up all over the country. 

Nelson Boachie-Yiadom, a forward for the Davidson Wildcats, was looking forward to the A10 conference tournament held in the Barclays Center. Once his coach broke the news that they won’t be playing anymore, Boachie-Yiadom broke down because he thought back to all the hard work him and his team went through to get to this spot. “I felt bad for the seniors as this was their last time playing. I personally thought they waited too long to let us know but I understood everything had been determined on the fly,” said Boachie-Yiadom. Boachie-Yiadom will have to wait another to get into the conference tournament and play in Wildcats uniform and his grief mostly is held for his beloved seniors.