A Stitch in Time
Jennifer and Paige Garrison share their perspective – April 29, 2020
Using a variety of fabrics, along with her math and sewing skills, Jennifer Garrison, our talented Math Instructor, made cloth face masks to protect herself and family members during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shared an image of her completed task via Twitter, cleverly captioned; I used my math skills for this!!! #youneedmath, which is an excellent example of what happens when your passion meets with your ability.
Jennifer had an interest in sewing from an early age, self-taught on a Singer sewing machine that her parents purchased for her, found sewing fun. Thirteen years ago, she began taking quilting classes. When not at BVT, she enjoys sewing, quilting, and using her math skills in this creative way.
Sewing these masks was a solo pursuit and born out of self-care. "It was not a heroic endeavor," explained Jennifer. "When I learned that the CDC suggested wearing them in public, I jumped into action because I am asthmatic and need to do everything I can to stay healthy. I had enough material to make twenty-one masks, which I was able to use and share with my family and friends with a similar need."
"During the school closure, I've been home and healthy. However, I do miss connecting with my students in our traditional classroom," said Jennifer, who is also our Senior Class Advisor and a BVT parent. "I am enjoying the time with my family." Her daughter, Paige Garrison, is a senior in our Culinary Arts program. "Being quarantined together, we certainly understand and sympathize with all of the parents and students of the Class of 2020."
"I've grown up watching my mom sew and work on various projects," said Paige. Sewing these masks was her idea, and she deserves all the credit. She worked hard on them, and I am proud of the effort that she put into it."
“We are adapting and learning along with everyone else on how best to proceed. So far, the whole distance learning thing is not that bad,” said Paige. “I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and do the assignments I'm required to do. I FaceTime with my friends, and we use the Zoom app to communicate with our teachers and other students during the school week, so we are still connected, virtually.”
During the last trimester of senior year, students make important decisions about what comes next — making those final decisions when the world is operating under a cloud of uncertainty can be stressful. "For Paige and others, everything is still a bit uncertain. I know that we were planning to visit a few more college campuses. With deadlines approaching, we are trying to figure it out all out," said Jennifer.
"As we approach the end of the school year milestones like prom and graduation, it is difficult. I feel for Paige and all the seniors who have worked so hard leading up to these milestones. We are trying to remain upbeat and positive, knowing they will have a different senior year than expected. Going through this unique experience together, unlike any other class before, the Class of 2020 will forever have a unique bond. But I know she misses her friends and the whole senior experience."
“I have been dancing competitively for fifteen years. I am missing my last season of dance and that spirit of competition that I have come to love,” said Paige. “I empathize with all athletes who are not able to compete in their sport this spring. I hope that when all of this is eventually over, we have a newfound appreciation for those competitive moments.”
“This experience has been surreal. I never imagined that I'd be working remotely as a teacher. Not in a million years," said Jennifer. "I think we are all trying to do our best for the students, the parents and the school district. We are all in this together, and I'm proud to be a BVT Beaver!"
"It was not supposed to be this way. We were supposed to be dancing at our prom, going on our class trip, and gearing up for our graduation. Honestly, it's unreal and not at all what we expected," said Paige. "But, I hope that we have an opportunity to learn from this and one day see that the unexpected was pretty awesome too."