Cheyenne Lopez
Senior, Administration of Justice
Roswell, NM
Posted May 11, 2020
Adjusting to quarantine life is getting easier as the time goes. Classes are becoming routine, and the academics are getting back on track. Being home and not being able to see my friends has been horrible, but it is also times like these that make you appreciate the moments given to us in life.
I said this in my first post and I will say it again: just weeks ago, I never imagined being where I am now. It just goes to prove that a lot can happen and change in a split second. The graduating class of Spring 2020 just got notified that our graduation options were to do a virtual commencement recognition ceremony, join the commencement ceremony in Fall, and further instruction would be given if arrangements to conduct an alternate option for later on in the year were made.
I certainly enjoy the efforts that are being made by admissions and other faculty and staff that are brainstorming ideas at such a chaotic time in our world. Yet, I still feel like a whole part of my senior year is missing. Me personally, along with all my other classmates, have climbed an enormous mountain that not many people have the opportunity to try, and to know that we won’t be able to take the last few steps to the top, is heartbreaking.
But, I have always been an optimistic person so I try to acknowledge the potential of success in every situation. I have grown to understand that although we are in tough times right now, it has already brought families closer together and we have grown to appreciate even the smallest moments we encounter in life, because we never know when this mountain we call life will begin to crumble and another avalanche will occur, covering up everything that we once knew as normal.
So do I wish to have a normal graduation ceremony with all my classmates, family and friends? Yes. But I am still graduating. I still get my degree. I still learned. I grew. I changed. I learned to love more, smile more. And most of all, I learned to wash my hands a lot longer.
Cheyenne Lopez is part of the women's basketball team that won the USCAA National Championship.
Posted April 23, 2020
Never did I think that I would be writing about a life in quarantine. One month ago, I went through my everyday busy life, dreading the crazy homework load, hating my 9 a.m. class, and trying to think of an excuse to get out of my kinesiology class. I just wanted a few days to myself where I can just be alone and have nothing to do.
A month later, and I am realizing that life inside is not as fun as I thought. I miss seeing my classmates’ beautiful (yet groggy) faces at 9 a.m. I haven’t worked out in three weeks, and I can’t remember what a gym looks like.
But luckily, the amazing faculty at the Beav have helped turn unfortunate circumstances into a powerful and easy transition. I wake up every morning at 9 a.m. to turn on my laptop and Zoom into class early so I can see my professor’s dog before we start our class. My kinesiology professor made at-home workout videos for us to do without equipment. And I’m still able to write papers and relax in the comfort of my home.
Never did I expect to have my senior year abruptly cut short, but the amazing care and effort by PSU Beaver’s staff and faculty has only made it seem more unique and has made it just that much more memorable and easier.
My senior year wasn’t perfect, but it has definitely made me grow and has so far taught me to adapt and overcome unexpected circumstances.