Lawrence University students have been getting creative during this summer of quarantine.

The need to socially distance ourselves to minimize the spread of COVID-19 has drastically shifted the way we interact. Our new normal during the pandemic has had a direct impact on summer; most internships are now remote and many were outright canceled.

But Lawrentians, hunkered down at home, have not let this stop them from getting the most out of summer. They’ve launched online classes, followed their passions, honed their skills, and found new ways to connect. We’re sharing some examples here.

Beading, anyone?  

Moreau Halliburton ’22
Moreau Halliburton ’22

Moreau Halliburton ’22 of Los Angeles has been beading for more than five years, and during our summer in quarantine has found a way to share that talent with the world.  

“I started an online beading camp for ages 7 to 13,” Halliburton said. “I order the supplies ahead of time, organize them into individual care packages, and send boxes to the kids who sign up. I teach them how to make simple jewelry, bake their own beads, and so much more.” 

Halliburton hosts a Zoom session with the campers once a week, teaching them a new beading skill each time. And outside of the Zoom sessions, the campers can continue learning, as Halliburton creates guided videos, Beading With Moreau, with step-by-step instructions.  

“I thought it would be difficult to teach young kids how to make jewelry online, but with a lot of thought and a little creativity, I cracked the code,” Halliburton said. “My camp has shown to be great for these times of separation because it creates this beautiful sense of community … through screens.” 

Halliburton’s old elementary school reached out and asked about hosting a virtual course for their summer camps. After hosting one course, Halliburton was all in.

“We’ve all been trained to push our creativity aside and settle down into jobs, but creativity is so important and valuable,” Halliburton said. “I bet people would get more job offers if they were more comfortable trying new things and weren’t afraid to unlock their creativity. I want kids to know that there are adults in the world using their art to make a difference, and they can do the same right now.” 

Halliburton has even found a way to teach the campers about what is happening in the world today through the classes.  

“An example is my Woke Beading Day theme, where I have my kids make pieces in relation to diversity and love across cultures, along with my Juneteenth Celebration Day theme,” Halliburton said. “I also brainstorm with the kids at the end of camp to think about something they love to do and how they can use that talent or activity to create positive change. They are so enthusiastic, which leaves me very hopeful for the future.” 

Joys of 3-D printing 

Prince Mukuna ’22
Prince Mukuna ’22

Prince Mukuna ’22 of Loganville, Georgia, first learned about 3-D printing in middle school, but he wasn’t able to use a 3-D printer until his first year at Lawrence. Now, during this summer in quarantine, Mukuna has lots of free time and has been getting creative with his own 3-D printer.  

“This technology allows me to bring ideas to life almost instantly – well, not quite instant,” Mukuna said. “During quarantine, I’ve been using a 3-D printer to print plant pots and planters for my mom’s small business, a printed football thigh pad model that can be used in a game, phone cases, wall decor, and oddly enough … a lamp shade.” 

Mukuna has used his 3-D printing skills as an outlet for his creativity and is even thinking of ways to bring it into the classroom.  

“I’m excited to see how I can use it more in my studies as well,” Mukuna said. “I enjoy the process of 3-D rendering to give ideas and thoughts real form.” 

Early childhood experience

Averie Miller ’22
Averie Miller ’22

Averie Miller ’22 of Chicago had plans to be a preschool teacher this summer, but that opportunity was canceled because of the pandemic. But this did not stop Miller from getting to do what she loves, working with kids.  

“I have picked up nannying for two amazing kids— one is 6 and the other is 2 years old,” said Miller. “I started June 15th; after my normal summer job of working with preschoolers was canceled, this family contacted me to help them out.”  

Miller has enjoyed the opportunity to care for the two kids and hopes to one day make caring for children her career.  

“I love what I’m doing since I’m planning to be an early childhood educator,” Miller said. “And we’ve done many fun things like bike riding around the neighborhood, swimming in the back yard, and playing games.” 

Care for your hair 

Willie Sturgis ’23
Willie Sturgis ’23

Willie Sturgis ’23 of Champaign, Illinois, has created a Hair Growth account on Instagram and other social media platforms with his younger sister, to share information on how to better take care of your hair.  

“We started this account in early July,” Sturgis said. “With prices rising and dropping, as well as people staying indoors, we understand that students and their families have major priorities in relation to spending and consuming, leaving hair care a priority toward the bottom of the list. Our goal is to offer free, simple ways a student can spend their money on natural, satisfying, yet cost-efficient products.”  

Their page, @willie.taylor.co, provides information on products, instructions for different hair styles, and tips for people with textured hair, making hair care a lot easier.   

“We wanted to share simple, natural ways students can maintain their hairstyles while handling their major priorities,” Sturgis said. “We love what we are doing, and we are getting a lot of feedback and starting to build an audience.”  

Daily journaling

Quentin Washington ’21
Quentin Washington ’21

Trying to keep up with everything happening in the world right now can be overwhelming. Quentin Washington ’21 of New York recognized this and has taken on journaling to process everything. It’s a chance to de-stress.  

“I journaled to make sense of the world around me and my emotions related to what was happening,” Washington said. “I journaled about my friendships that were evolving, romantic relationships that ended, how I planned to enter my Spring Term with an online structure and readjusting to being back home in NYC. I would journal about once or twice a day.” 

Washington has used journaling as way to not only process everything in the present, but to also reflect on past experiences, providing a chance to grow.  

“I enjoy what I do because it’s a way to not only relieve stress, but also a time capsule in a sense,” Washington said. “I get to reflect on my life during different eras and see how I have grown as a person. I feel I have learned a lot about myself, who I was and where I want to go as I continue to write on a daily basis.” 

Staying connected

Sabrina Salas ’22
Sabrina Salas ’22

Staying connected with peers can be difficult these days. But Sabrina Salas ’22 of New York has made it part of her daily routine to stay connected with friends. 

“I’ve never been much of a texter, so it’s hard for me to reach out to a friend through text,” Salas said. “Instead, I call people. During quarantine, I got into the habit of Facetiming or being Facetimed by my friends all the time (both high school and college friends). Sometimes, I would speak to four or five people a day.” 

Salas has found ways to make short, quick interactions more meaningful by going the extra mile and calling or sending a voice note.

“I just prefer to hear people’s voices,” Salas said.  

“I am the kind of person who thrives off of other people’s energies, so my energy can drain pretty quickly when I’m not around people. Talking to other people instantly boosts my mood.”