Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 5:21:20 E-edition

The View From Here
I’d like to
thank everyone who submit- ted their photos. Each fam- ily member was so proud of their grad, as they should be.
These last few months have been stressful, es- pecially for students. My daughter has been adjusting to life at home, she is not use to it one bit.
She did receive a call from her job last week. They are opening for curb side service and have asked her to return to work.
However, she also re- ceived an email from Fresno City College that they will continue online learning through the Fall.
She was really upset about that because she’s taking a few honors classes and said she would greatly benefit from actually being there on campus rather than from an online lecture.
As COVID-19 continues to run its course through our society, I can’t help wonder if any other schools will fol- low the colleges leads and shut down school based learning through the fall as well. I sure hope not.
What we thought would only be 2 - 3 weeks will eventually turn into an en- tire year.
I have talked to people who have made the com- ment, "When things go back to normal."
The scary part is, what if we don't ever go back to "normal."
How will we operate in the new normal? Will masks become a requirement?
Governor Newsom an- nounced last week that they'd be loosening some re- quirements placed on busi- nesses during lock down.
The next question is how will we, as a state, begin to regain our normalcy again?
I went to CVS Pharmacy yesterday and noticed there was no longer a shortage of toilet paper.
As a matter of fact, there were still plenty of rolls on the shelves and even some off to the side of the isle that hadn't been placed on shelves yet.
It was a small glimmer of hope that this is the begin- ning of the end.
Even after restrictions are loosened, I hope we can all maintain the same health guidelines that were imposed upon us during the height of this pandemic.
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
A banner with photos of the 2020 senior class is displayed at Immanuel High School.
Immanuel honors grads with banner By Juanita Adame
I did not expect the overwhelm- ing response of graduates photos on our Facebook and Insta- gram pages.
Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
With many graduation cer- emonies around the Central Valley currently on hold, and with area schools canceled until further notice, teachers and staff have taken a vari- ety of measures to make sure their graduating seniors are receiving the recognition they deserve.
Immanuel Schools hon- ored their graduates with a large colorful banner on one of their buildings facing Reed Avenue.
The banner is complete with the student's name and photo, and will be on display through May 26.
Battle of the Badges blood drive held in Reedley
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
From left Nick Friesen, Wesley Miller, John Agueda, and Cyndee Trimble Friesen.
Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Reedley’s first respond- ers participated in their an- nual “Battle of the Badges” event on the afternoon of May 15.
“The fire department, the police department, all the departments like to battle to see who can give the most blood,” said Lisa Meir, a nurse working at the event. “Anybody can donate, it doesn’t have to be first re- sponders.”
Meier said aside from the normal health require- ments needed from donors,
this year they had to be ex- tremely cautious because of the COVID-19 situation.
“We asked anyone who has visited Europe or Asia for the last 28 days they
SEE EVENT on page A8
"We had some first time donors come out and give blood."
- Lisa Meier
Nurse working blood drive
Apache's "Adopt a Senior" program benefitting graduates
Mid Valley Times Staff
Sanger High School se- niors, as well as Kings River, Taft and Hallmark gradu- ates are being shown appre- ciation through an “Adopt a Senior” program.
The program was cre- ated to show support for graduating seniors by hav- ing community members sponsor a senior.
Sending letters, cards, gifts, anything to show them support.
According to the “Adopt a Senior” Facebook page, the program was created after numerous cancellations of year end events took place following the COVID-19 sit- uation.
“This is a stressful time that has resulted in the can- cellation of proms and grad- uation postponements, the statement read. “So please, adopt a senior and let them know we are all rooting for them.”
Photo Courtesy / Adopt A Senior Facebook Page
Sanger graduate Alma Paredes posed for a photo with her elemen- tary school teacher, Nick Ibarra, whom she said played a role in her academic success because he was able to communicate with her Spanish speaking parents when she was in elementary school.
Photo of the week
Contributed
A photo of a young couple, Marc Rodriguez and Desiree Barajas, standing in downtown Reedley near the clock sent in by Kathy Rodriguez. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@mid- valleypublishing.com.
St. La Salle honors grads
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Abrightredbannerwithphotosof 8thgradegraduatesiscurrent- ly on display at St. La Salle Catholic School in Reedley. The school will have a Virtual Graduation Mass for their 8th grade class on May 21 starting at 5:30 p.m. The awarding of diplomas will begin at 7:15 p.m. in front of the church. The school will have guidelines for parents to park in front of the church and pick up diplomas for their students.