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Brevard K-12 schools find rhythm again amid COVID-19

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Tessa Dury | Staff Writer

Brevard K-12 schools are some of many that have had to change and adapt so students can continue attending school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Tania Pippin, a third grade teacher at Covenant Christian School in Palm Bay said that about 90 percent of its students are attending in person classes and 10 percent are attending online. 

Covenant Christian’s current policy requires that if several students in one class test positive, the entire class will go online until students receive negative tests and are given the all-clear to return safely to in-person instruction.

Pippin said that online learning can be especially difficult for elementary age students, who may find it difficult to sit still and pay full attention to a computer screen. 

“But on the other hand, I have a student who has excelled with his work because his grandfather lives with his family, and they have been working on the homework assignments together,” Pippin said. “It’s a very sweet and encouraging thing to see them working it together.”

Covenant Christian has changed its school day hours from 8:00 a.m. through 3:15 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., giving the students more recess time outside. Students are required to wear masks at recess, in line with the school’s policy that masks must be worn at all times other than eating. 

The extra recess allows teachers to give extra attention and assistance to students who are attending virtually and may need additional help with work. 

Olivia Zajac is a mother with two children, a seventh and a fifth grader, attending online classes at Covenant Christian. 

“At first in the winter it was difficult for them to transition back to the feeling that they were in school. They still had that summer frame of mind,” Zajac said. “But the slower pace of online seems to have decreased some of their anxiety, they have less peer conflicts, and more family time.” 

Virtual learning has also had some positive effects on school events at Covenant Christian, such as grandparents day.

Grandparents day, normally held in person, was held virtually this year. Students’ grandparents, whether located in other states or nearby, were able to safely view art and other student work in an online format. 

“That was really special,” Pippin said. “No grandparent got left out because of distance.”

Viera Charter School has also implemented COVID-19 safety measures once in person classes started again in the fall. 

“Their usual activities have been changed so that the children aren’t in contact with each other,” Melissa Asafo-Agyei, whose children are a second grader and a first grader attending Viera Charter, said. “They play pool noodle tag, instead of regular tag, flag football, and their cafeteria seats have three-way plexiglass dividers.” 

Viera Charter school’s COVID-19 return plan, found on its website, details further preventative measures such as limiting the number of parent volunteers, screening staff for symptoms regularly and modifying emergency protocols with respect to social distancing.

After the new circumstances and sudden shift to online classes teachers were faced with in spring of 2020, Pippin is glad things are beginning to find their rhythm again. 

“It was so good to see the kids when they started to trickle back into in person classes,” Pippin said. “It really is so different teaching online, and it was really wonderful to have them back and to be able to see them again.”

NASA Prepares to Return Humans to the Moon

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Alexander Polimeni | Staff Writer

For the first time in 48 years, a human-capable spacecraft destined for the Moon rolled out of NASA’s Armstrong Operations & Checkout Facility, in preparation for a launch in late 2021. 

On Jan. 16, the Orion spacecraft emerged from its assembly hangar at a crawling speed, bound for the Multi-Purpose Processing Facility, the vehicle’s final stop before it is mated to its rocket. At the MMPF, the spacecraft will be fueled prior to launch. This particular propellant is used to maneuver Orion while in space, along with returning the capsule to Earth.

“I’m incredibly excited to service Orion at our rocket fuel gas station,” said Marcos Pena, a NASA manager based out of the MMPF, in a NASA press release.

Orion rolls from the Operations and Checkout Facility on Saturday. The spacecraft is protected by a tarp. Photo: Alexander Polimeni

Later that day, the core stage, the largest component of the 321-foot tall Space Launch System rocket, completed an engine firing test in the swamps of Mississippi. A whopping 1,670,000 pounds of thrust was unleashed on the test stand for approximately one minute, marking the first ignition of the most powerful rocket in the world, according to Boeing, the manufacturer of the core stage. While the test ended earlier than planned, it was designed to iron out any issues with the rocket before shipping to the Kennedy Space Center. 

“Seeing all four engines ignite for the first time during the core stage hot fire test was a big milestone for the Space Launch System team,” said John Honeycutt, the SLS program manager, in a NASA press release.

When SLS arrives in Florida, the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage will be lifted atop the 212-foot tall core stage. After launching atop the core stage, the United Launch Alliance-built ICPS will separate in space, and boost the Orion spacecraft to the Moon. Already complete, ICPS underwent periodic maintenance at the Delta Operations Center, at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in December, according to ULA.

Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) sits inside the International Space Station Processing Facility, awaiting launch. The silo-like structure protects its delicate engine. Photo: Alexander Polimeni

The Exploration Ground Systems team at the Kennedy Space Center has been preparing to receive components and assemble the first SLS rocket. EGS has begun stacking the massive 12-foot wide solid rocket booster segments according to NASA, each producing 3,280,000 pounds of thrust at launch. Two of these solid rocket boosters will be strapped to the side of the core stage. 

A series of rollout tests have been completed with the rocket’s Mobile Launch Platform, a steel skyscraper used to transport the rocket to the launch pad vertically. The MLP will endure the brunt of the weight; 5.75 million pounds when SLS is fully fueled. 

“Stacking the first piece of the SLS rocket on the mobile launcher marks a major milestone for the Artemis Program,” said Andrew Shroble, a manager with NASA contractor Jacobs. “It shows the mission is truly taking shape and will soon head to the launch pad.”

Mobile Launch Platform rolls back inside the Vehicle Assembly Building, after undergoing testing at the launch pad in 2018. Photo: Alexander Polimeni

The mission is named Artemis I, after the sister of Apollo, an apt allusion to the program that landed humans on the Moon in the 1960s. This uncrewed shakedown test of the launch vehicle and spacecraft will involve the insertion of Orion in lunar orbit, and spending three weeks in space, according to a Lockheed Martin press release. The launch is currently planned for late 2021.

Shortly after, Artemis II will propel humans around the Moon, the first time since the end of the Apollo Program. The pinnacle of this program is Artemis III – landing humans back on the surface of the Moon, a feat not accomplished since 1972. 

Before Artemis can make history and return humans back on the Moon, the transport of Orion was the culmination of a decade of work to make the first test flight of SLS reality. 

“It will blaze a trail that people will follow on the next Orion flight, pushing the edges of the envelope to prepare for that mission,” said Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager, in a NASA fact sheet.

Test Scores Not Required for Graduate Programs Next Academic Year

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Stephen Pickrom | Staff Writer

Admissions to Florida Tech graduate programs in the upcoming academic year will not require test scores from graduate exams.

Testing centers for the GMAT, GRE, and other exams are harder to access due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Vice President for Enrollment Management Brian Ehrlich.

“They’re scheduled less frequently and there’s less testing centers as well, so there’s a complete access problem,” he said.

To remedy this issue, Florida Tech made the decision to make exams optional for those applying to graduate programs in the 2021-22 academic year.

Normally, a set of documents and information, including test scores, is required to submit to the admissions office, so that it can then be sent to that program’s academic department.

“The admissions office, at the graduate level, gathers the information and then makes sure it’s all there, but we don’t actually make the decision,” Ehrlich said.

For graduate programs, the admission decision comes from the academic department itself. This differs from undergraduate programs at Florida Tech, where the admissions department makes the decision.

Ehrlich stressed that an important part of the process was making sure all students are treated fairly when they send their information to the department heads.

“We want complete fairness and complete transparency in the process,” Ehrlich said.

The admissions department was concerned that, should two students who are otherwise the same apply for a program, one that has test scores and the other that does not, department heads would gravitate toward the student with test scores because there is more information.

Ehrlich posed the question, “What’s going to happen? Is that person able to be impartial?”

“Now, there’s chances that they could be,” he said, “But to make it truly fair, we don’t transmit test scores so that when the faculty member sees that file, they see the exact same thing for every student.”

This decision only affects the next academic year. The admissions department is looking further ahead, to see if not requiring exams will be a lasting change. They want to see how students do when they apply without test scores and if they succeed in the programs.

“That allows us to use good data to make an informed decision,” Ehrlich said.

‘Tis the Season to Share Compassion

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Natalia Velásquez, M.S., Outreach Coordinator | Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

In times when we might feel disconnected and divided from others more than usual, it can be helpful to practice compassion for ourselves and those around us.

Compassion involves 1) noticing the suffering that you or someone else might be experiencing, 2) responding to the pain (the word compassion literally means “to suffer with”) with feelings of warmth/care and a desire to help in some way, 3) offering understanding and kindness when you or others’ make mistakes rather than judging or criticizing harshly, and 4) realizing that suffering (e.g., failure, imperfection) are part of the shared human experience. If the latter reality is denied, suffering tends to increase and manifest in other forms, such as stress and anxiety, whereas if this reality is accepted with kindness, greater emotional calmness has a greater chance of being experienced. 

On the other hand, self-compassion begins with the acceptance and awareness of your present moment experience, as it allows you to intentionally provide kindness to yourself during times of perceived inadequacy. The self-accepting view is that your “negative” thoughts and emotions are just another part of your experience and maybe even signify that you have gone/are going through tough times. Self-acceptance involves taking a broader view of yourself and works towards a kinder, more compassionate position in which you accept a difficult part of your history and/or current experience. 

This helps to provide stability in life, as self-acceptance is not based on your perceptions of successes or failures but rather a value of how you might aspire to treat yourself and others. Therefore, rather than fighting the difficult experience in a desperate attempt to feel better, practice choosing to make room for it, accepting that it’s there, and moving towards what would make your life meaningful. 

With that said, self-compassion can be very challenging for many of us, even more challenging than having compassion for others at times. Having compassion for yourself means that you accept your humanness, as things will not always go as planned, and that’s okay. The more you practice opening your mind and heart to this reality instead of struggling with it, the more you will be able to feel compassion for yourself and your fellow human beings in the experience of life. 

Self-compassion involves 1) accepting that difficult life experiences are inevitable and offering gentleness, warmth, and understanding towards yourself during these times rather than self-criticizing, 2) recognizing that suffering and personal inadequacy are part of our common humanity rather than being something that “only happens to me,” 3) being willing to non-judgmentally observe your negative thoughts and emotions with mindful awareness rather than ignoring the pain or over-identifying with the thoughts/emotions. 

Thus, self-compassion encourages you to be kind to yourself in the midst of pain, such that you might ask yourself “What do I need right now?” and actually listen/act on whatever that might be in the present moment. For example, due to the current pandemic, many students might be experiencing the inability to go home or be with family during the break/holidays, which may lead to greater stress/anxiety, disappointment/sadness, and loneliness/isolation. If you find yourself experiencing similar difficulties, this is the time to practice extending compassion to yourself and others! 

To cultivate self-compassion, practice the following steps: 

  1. Pause without reaction.
  2. Take deep breaths for approximately 30 seconds.
  3. Notice judgmental thoughts and associated feelings.
  4. Provide a positive self-affirmation (i.e., “I am doing my best in this moment”).
  5. Ask yourself: “What do I truly need in this moment”? This could be:
    • Taking a break from constant homework/studying during finals week. 
    • Scheduling a virtual pizza night with a friend/family member. 
    • Snuggling your dog/cat while you watch a movie. 
    • Planning a whole day of self-care during break.  
    • Cooking/Decorating for the holidays and scheduling a Zoom tree lighting. 
    • Or whatever else comes to mind (remember, no judgement)!

To cultivate compassion for others, practice the following steps: 

  1. Start with yourself! Regularly provide self-compassion. 
  2. Actively listen to others (e.g., be present and validate their feelings) in difficult times without imposing your beliefs or trying to fix the difficulty for them. 
  3. Offer a gentle touch, such as holding a hand or giving a hug (if appropriate).
  4. Affirm others by providing praise and encouragement, highlighting strengths/talents you see in the person, and offering support and comfort in difficult times.
  5. Show kindness through your actions without expecting anything back (e.g., giving a compliment, making a donation, volunteering, helping someone advocate their wants/needs in a challenging situation, and/or paying for someone’s meal behind you in line). 

If you find yourself in need of additional guidance, please reach out for help! Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is your student counseling center and we are here for you! CAPS provides a variety of mental health and wellness services to assist you and other students in successfully reaching personal, academic, and career goals. Please take a moment to visit our website: https://www.fit.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services/ to learn more information on how to request services and find resources for psychological health and well-being. Be the healthiest Florida Tech Panther you can be!

“As polluted as it is beautiful”: Algae blooms in the Indian River Lagoon

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Thomas Handel | Staff Writer

Amanda Capuano and Connor Bol collecting plankton samples using a plankton net. Photo // Thomas Handel

The Indian River Lagoon is one of Florida’s most vital environmental ecosystems. Consisting of the Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and Indian River, the Indian River Lagoon encompasses 40 percent of Florida’s eastern coast and houses over 4,000 animal and plant species combined.

In many areas, however, the estuary system is as polluted as it is beautiful. Throughout the years, there have been many major occurrences of “blooms”, which cause environmental damage both locals and researchers fear. And it’s coming back.

Kevin Johnson, a professor of oceanography and environmental science at Florida Tech, described exactly what these blooms are.

“An algal bloom is very simply an abundance or population explosion of algae. Blooms occur when the combination of nutrients, light, and other environmental factors are just right for a certain algal species,” Johnson said. 

He explained that the more opaque the water undergoing the bloom is, the more algae are present. 

Johnson and his research teams have noted this coloring, typically green, near the 528 causeway in the Banana River. Monitoring started in July of this year. By September, and in the river around Kelly Park, the bloom had already grown considerably.

“Now the blooms have spread to other IRL sub-bodies, including the IRL proper in more northerly sub-bodies,” Johnson said.

Amanda Capuano preparing sample collection jars with formalin, a preservative. Photo // Thomas Handel

The causes of these blooms have been affecting the river for a while now. According to Johnson, the excess nutrients that often cause these blooms result from decades of run-off and sewage pollution. This results in “muck” that accumulates and causes further damage.

Prior blooms are also driven by this type of pollution, and result in algal species that are present in many iterations of blooms throughout the years. Last year, the bloom was in the Banana River, but this year’s blooms has been observed in both the Banana River and Indian River.

The effects of these blooms are toxic to both animals and humans, according to Johnson. 

“Some algae, including some that bloom in the IRL, produce toxins that can negatively impact other life in the lagoon,” Johnson said. “Some of these toxins get concentrated through the food chain and build up to the point that their concentrations can make vertebrate animals, including fish and humans, sick or even die.”

Amanda Capuano, an undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Science, is working on a field project that studies how human-derived nutrients affect the natural phytoplankton population. In her research, she aims to determine how these blooms can take over the plankton community.

For her research, Capuano works alongside the Pineda Highway in Satellite Beach, towing field equipment back and forth in order to capture plankton samples in order to better understand the river’s condition and composition. The water collected must be filtered through the net, sprayed down, and sealed within a special container containing a compound that preserves it for the microscope..

Connor Bol, a graduate student majoring in Ocean Engineering and Oceanography, assisted Capuano on her field work. Bol has also worked with Johnson’s other research expeditions.

“It’s definitely a substantial bloom, it covers a large area,” Bol said. “I’ve seen the water lime green at times.”

When asked about the effects, Bol only had to look around to answer.

“I see trash around the lagoon a lot,” he said. “It’s coming in from creeks and their runoff, people’s yards too.”

Johnson explained that there are methods to clean up the lagoon. These include muck removal by dredging, muck treatment, as well as diluting and removing nutrients by restoring ocean water inflow to the river.

Chemistry Research Lab Helps Make Progress in Neuroscience

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Arianna Schuck | Staff Writer

Chemistry professor Nasri Nesnas runs a research lab on Florida Tech’s campus. The lab focuses on caged molecules, used in neuroscience labs to help map neuron locations and functions.

A caged molecule is activated by light, as described by Nesnas.

“We make molecules that absorb light for specific functions, whether it’s understanding neural connections or understanding the human vision,” Nesnas said.

While exact numbers vary among experts in the field, the human brain is usually cited as containing 86 billion neurons, all connecting to each other trillions of times. A report from the Stanford University Medical Center states that there are over 125 trillion synapses — the connections between neurons — in the cerebral cortex alone. 

A rotary evaporator used to heat dry samples. Photo // Arianna Schuck

Nesnas said that in recent years, the lab was able to explain how a certain molecule responded to light and functioned which will help in discovering a more efficient molecule next.

“On a daily basis in the lab, I am reading articles, planning my next synthesis, or performing synthesis/analysis of compounds,” said Alexzandriea van Hoekelen, a Ph.D student working in the lab, in an emailed response. “My favorite part of the lab is constantly learning new things.”

Caylin Lepak is a sophomore majoring in genomics and molecular genetics who works as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab. 

Lepak said that her daily tasks in the lab include weighing and measuring reactants and solvents, and researching current work in related fields.

She observes advanced techniques performed by graduate students such as high performance liquid chromatography, or HPLC, and nuclear magnetic resonance, or NMR. The MRI scan many people have in their life is one application of NMR.

“I want to learn skills such as how to run HPLC, NMR, and other advanced chemistry techniques on my own and analyze the results from these tests,” Lepak said. “I also hope to learn how to write and publish articles that can make a significant contribution to the scientific community.”

Florida Tech confirms 12 COVID-19 cases | Nov. 20 update

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Florida Tech reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 among students and one employee case in the Nov. 20 weekly update.

“I’m pleased to report that we are doing far better this week than previous weeks, with a dramatic decrease in COVID-19 cases.” Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay said in the email update.

This week’s number is a substantial decrease; the total number is just over one third of last week’s reported spike of 35 cases.

McCay once again encouraged students who are traveling for Thanksgiving to complete the remainder of the semester remotely.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the safest plans for Thanksgiving take place at home, with your household.

The CDC has provided guidance for those who do travel, stating that measures such as outdoor gatherings, refraining from sharing food or utensils, and keeping guests to a minimum can make things safer.

Brevard Restaurants Navigate Reopening

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Ethan Qualle | Staff Writer

“Business has been good,” Jean Phillipe Reis, the owner of the downtown Melbourne restaurant The Burger Place, said.

Reis is one of many Florida restaurant owners who have navigated through phases of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With restaurants and other businesses currently in phase three, establishments like The Burger Place are permitted to operate at full capacity. Face covering mandates appear in many business entrances.

Reis added that he only requires his employees to wear masks while delivering food, not in the kitchen. He said that masks in the kitchen are not necessary when his employees are in close contact with one another on a regular basis. 

Reis is originally from France and provided some insight on the situation there. As of Oct. 30, the government of France has implemented its second lockdown, only allowing for nonessential travel within metropolitan France and Martinique. 

“Places such as bars, restaurants, and metros are places where the spread of COVID-19 is prevalent,” he stated. 

Reis said he also worries that the proximity of The Burger Place to crowded bars in downtown Melbourne is putting him and his employees at risk. 

“Students and young people do not always wear masks at bars,” Reis said.

Main Street Pub in downtown Melbourne has taken significant precautionary measures regarding COVID-19. Lena McAneney, the owner of Main Street Pub, explained several steps she has taken to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in her establishment.

“We have to close the door on Fridays and Saturdays to limit capacity.” McAneney said.

She also stated that they hired a professional cleaning service, Servpro, which continually sanitizes the establishment as needed. On top of that, customers and employees must wear face coverings at all times, except while actively eating or drinking while stationary. 

Main Street Pub has also expanded its outdoor seating, giving patrons additional space to allow for social distancing in an more open environment. McAneney then mentioned that she is at a high risk of more serious COVID-19 symptoms herself, so implementing these protocols were imperative to her own health.

Senior and psychology major Delainee Rust, who works part time at Bruno’s Pizzeria in Cocoa Beach, suggested that the pandemic has affected business flow.

According to Rust, Bruno’s Pizzeria has experienced more demand for carry-out and delivery orders, though the dining room is open.

“Sometimes [customers] have to wait up to 90 minutes for their pizzas due to the influx of orders,” Rust said.

35 new COVID-19 cases at Florida Tech amid nationwide increase

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In the week ending on Nov. 13, Florida Tech confirmed 35 new cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.

This is the highest number of confirmed cases among the Florida Tech community in a single week, exceeding the previous spike of 18 cases reported on Oct. 16.

“Yes, it may have felt worth it to head to that crowded party or bar, or to take your mask off for a dose of ‘how-it-used-to-be’ freedom.” Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay said in the Nov. 13 weekly update, “Yet think about what you risk for that fleeting bit of enjoyment. “

McCay stated that students have the option to switch to remote learning for the reminder of the semester after the Thanksgiving break, advising students who plan to leave campus for the break to do so.

This increase in cases comes during a time of nationwide increases, with a recent trend of daily cases over 100,000 in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that weekly hospitalization rates have been increasing since the week ending on Sept. 26.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering reports that Brevard County has seen 13,452 confirmed cases, with 409 deaths. The CDC reports that 37,059 new cases have appeared in Florida in the last seven days.

This story is developing. Additions may be made as more information becomes available.

Chi Phi brothers hope to rebuild from barn fire

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Brianna Forte | Copy Editor

A fire completely burned down the gathering place known collectively as “The Barn” on the property of the Chi Phi Xi Delta chapter on Sept. 3, and the fraternity is currently working to fundraise and rebuild.

The front of the Chi Phi Barn after the destruction from the fire. | Photo: Francesco Isaza

The fire incident report from Melbourne Fire Station 78 stated that “from the station we could see a large column of smoke behind the address we were dispatched to.”

A neighbor located behind The Barn raised an alarm at 7:01 p.m. on Sept. 3. Brevard County Fire Rescue and Melbourne Fire Department arrived on scene by 7:24 pm.

Senior at Florida Tech and president of Chi Phi Xi Delta, Cody Cochran, explained that the residents at the Chi Phi house were inside the main house roughly 200 yards away when they were alerted about the fire.

“We had no idea by the time we got out there, but it was pretty up in flames,” Cochran said.

No one was injured in the fire, according to the incident report, but the heat from the fire proved an issue.

Cat Nanney, director of student involvement at Florida Tech, arrived on scene after being notified by Cochran, following the crisis management plan for student organizations and greek life.

“The heat was incredibly intense,” recalled Nanney. “We were standing pretty far away and wearing masks, and I was still dying from the heat.”

According to Cochran, Nanny worked with her team members to rehouse the brothers living on the Chi Phi property and provide meal plans for them for seven days.

“They did a fantastic job helping us, and made the decision to move the brothers out of the house until everything was safe,” Cochran said.

The fire department was able to control the fire, but The Barn is no longer of structural use according to Cochran. The fire inspector has yet to identify a cause for the fire.

All of the brothers on the property during the fire were unharmed and most of the contents within The Barn were recovered.

“We were able to recover a lot of our old history and stuff, and the only lost one book, which was our most recent initiation book,” explained Cochran.

The loss of The Barn to the Chi Phi Xi Delta chapter changes the dynamics of the organization, as this gathering place played a central role in the chapter’s social events.

“This is something that was to some people a really huge part of their Florida Tech experience and this is going to be tough for the Chi Phi fraternity,” Nanney, a former Florida Tech student, said. “Especially with how much they cared and they loved that barn.” 

The fraternity rents out the property from the Xi Delta Housing Corporation run by elected Chi Phi Xi Delta alumnus.

According to Mario Lenato, the treasurer for the XDHC, the insurance on the building will not cover all of the repair costs, as only the structure itself was insured. The lighting, refrigeration, and other equipment were not covered in the policy. 

The inside of the Chi Phi barn is charred and unusable as a result from the fire. | Photo: Francesco Isaza

In response to these events, Lenato and the XDHC created a GoFundMe. 

Lenato said the goal for the GoFundMe was set at $150,000 based on consultations with Chi Phi Xi Delta alumni members in the field of construction management.

The XDHC is currently in phase one of their three step plan, which includes planning, design, and construction. 

“If we don’t decide to do anything with the land where the barn was, all that money gets refunded back to whoever’s donated,” said Cochran.

As of Nov. 10 the GoFundMe has raised $50,554. A total of 186 people have donated through the GoFundMe, with 17 of the donations consisting of a $1,000 donation or greater.

The meaning of The Barn to Chi Phi Xi Delta alumni is evident in the comments section of the GoFundMe. 

“We made a contribution because of the special place the barn holds in its contribution to the makeup of the Xi Delta chapter and to the character of its members,” commented Peter and Kathy Pelc.

Lenato acknowledged the negative impacts of COVID-19 on economics and health, and would like to thank everyone who has donated. 

“People have still found it in their hearts to give so that they and many more can preserve the legacy of the barn and to allow thousands of future members and students to form similar experiences,” Lenato said.