(Astoria, OR)
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, college students all over the country were sent
home to finish the school year remotely, and it soon became clear that graduation
ceremonies would be canceled for the Spring. For one local family, the lost
moment of wearing a cap and gown and walking across the stage was especially
poignant.
Meet the
Johnson family. Kim and two of her children, Ben and Stormy, were all anticipating
walking across the stage at the 2020 Clatsop Community College (CCC)
commencement ceremony this year, especially since none of them had participated
in a graduation before.
Kim, who had
graduated early from her high school experience, did not walk in her graduation
and then years later, after raising her family and homeschooling her children,
finally felt the time was right to start college classes. Ben delayed his start
to college for a year after completing his high school requirements and incidentally
started college at the same time as his sister, Stormy, who had just completed
her high school education. Since both were homeschooled, neither walked in a
high school graduation ceremony. “We were all in a position in life where we
had the opportunity to start college right then, so we did”, Ben commented.
“There was actually a point where there were four of us all in college until my
oldest son, graduated from CCC last year,” Kim added with a laugh, “My husband
got the short end of the stick when it came to dinner because the rest of us
could legitimately say ‘sorry, we have homework’.”
At thesmall
community college, the family was bound to run into one another and end up in
some of the same classes. Kim and Ben were both on business tracks and were
able to share textbooks for some classes and were even in an online class
together. “We’re not sure if the instructor knew we were related. We were
careful not to respond to each other’s posts in that class,” said Kim.
Stormy and
Ben hinted at some friendly rivalries, but mostly they talk about how all of
them could help each other. “Each of us had academic areas we were more
comfortable with so we could help each other out,” stated Ben. “We would peer
review each other’s papers, always.”
As the mother
in this situation, Kim was worried about stepping on her kids’ college
experience, but expressed how fun it was to experience college with them. “I
tried really hard not to crash their circles of friends. One of us would be
leaving a class and another one would be waiting to go into the next class in
the room. It was just fun.”
The Johnson family, along with all of
the other CCC students, had to quickly adjust to virtual classrooms to complete
their academic year as the 2020 winter term finished up and the COVID-19
pandemic hit the United States. By the
start of spring term, CCC campuses closed its doors to on-campus classes and
activities and went strictly to online class offerings.
For Kim, the
transition to online was fine because it made it easy to coordinate with her
work schedule. Ben felt fortunate that he stayed employed during the pandemic,
and like his mother, online classes allowed him flexibility to coordinate with
classes. “Some classes were actually easier for me in the online format like accounting,
but others have proved more challenging. I’m not a science person, so I’ve
struggled with that class online this term,” he stated. “My learning style is
to see it, touch it, feel it, tinker with it and you just don’t get that with
online.”
Stormy had
been a math tutor and note taker in Calculus class on campus. When the college
moved to online classes she lost both jobs as well as a 3-month volunteer
opportunity she was just starting at the public library in the kid’s science
program. “These were skills and experiences I was building for school and jobs.
COVID-19 lost me what I had been planning to put on my resume,” Stormy
explained.
The one big
shared feeling of loss to their college experience is the loss of the
graduation ceremony. “We looked forward to graduation the whole time we in
school. We were all going to have our first-time ceremony together for all of
us. It was a big deal.” Kim stated.
For now, the
Johnsons are excited to get their photos taken in their caps and gowns
together, but are holding off on any celebrations until extended family would
be able to gather. Clatsop Community College is hoping to be able to hold a
graduation ceremony for the 2020 graduates later this year that would allow the
graduates to walk across stage to give them that ceremonial moment of
completion for their achievements.
Kim Johnson
has earned a Professional Business Certificate that she plans to use to boost
her job potential in the area. Ben is graduating with an Associate of Arts
Oregon Transfer degree and will be continuing his education online with Eastern
Oregon University to get his Organizational Management bachelor’s degree.
Stormy plans to go to Oregon State University to pursue a double bachelor’s
degree in Chemistry and Education. Stormy was also named Student Marshal for
the 2020 CCC graduation and will have the honor of speaking at the 2020
graduation once rescheduled.
June 12th,
2020, the original date for CCC graduation festivities, will be acknowledged by
the college virtually with messages from the president and the faculty and
student marshals. The Astoria Column will also shine green that day in honor of
the school colors.
Non-Discrimination Declaration
It is the policy of Clatsop Community College that there will be no
discrimination or harassment on the grounds of race, color, sex, gender,
marital status, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression or disability in any educational programs, activities,
or employment. Questions or complaints should be directed to Naomi Garbutt,
Affirmative Action/Gender Equity (Title IX) Officer, Towler Hall, Suite 110, ngarbutt@clatsopcc.edu 503-338-2450; TDD 503-338-2468. The Title
II/Section 504 Coordinator, Mallory Vollner, is located in Towler Hall, Suite 104A,
mvollner@clatsopcc.edu 503-338-2474.
Accommodations
Persons having questions about or a request for special needs and accommodation
should contact JoAnn Zahn, Vice President of Finance and Operations, at Clatsop
Community College, 1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, Oregon 97103, Library Suite
110, jzahn@clatsopcc.edu Phone (503) 338-2421 or TDD (503) 338-2468.
Please send special needs and accommodations requests here. Contact should be
made at least two business days in advance of the event.
Declaración de no-discriminación
Es la política de Clatsop Community College que no habrá ningún tipo de
discriminación o acoso por razón de raza, color, sexo, género, estado civil,
religión, origen nacional, edad, orientación sexual, identidad de género o
expresióno discapacidad en los programas educativos, actividades o en la
contratación. Preguntas o quejas deben ser dirigidas al Naomi Garbutt, Oficial
de Acción Afirmativa / Título IX localizado en Towler Hall número 110, ngarbutt@clatsopcc.edu(link
sends e-mail) número de teléfono 503-338-2450, TDD (discapacidad auditiva)
503-338-2468. El Coordinador de la Titulo II/Sección 504, Mallory Vollner, se
encuentra en Towler Hall, numero 104A, mvollner@clatsopcc.edu
número de teléfono 503-338-2474. Para ADA y otras peticiones de servicios llame
al 503-338-2474 o para TDD (discapacidad auditiva) 503-338-2468.
Ayuda a personas discapacitadas
En cuanto a las personas discapacitadas, se les pide que se comuniquen con
JoAnn Zahn, la Vice Presidente de Finanzas y Operaciones en Clatsop Community
College, 1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, Oregon 97103, Library Suite 110, jzahn@clatsopcc.edu número
teléfonico (503) 338-2421 o a TDD (503) 338-2468. Haga el favor de notificar a
la oficina para que se le pueda proporcionar apoyo. La comunicación debe tomar
lugar por lo menos dos días de trabajo antes del evento por el cual se requiera
tal ayuda. Para más información, vea la página Web de Clatsop Community College
bajo Información en Español.
