Pandemic Inspires Desire to Serve

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, Academy parents, students and staff were quick to aid those in need throughout Tampa Bay. With school moving online and social activities curtailed, members of the Academy community joined forces to donate much-needed time and resources.

Inspired by the Sisters of the Holy Names’ focus of service to people who are poor or marginalized, Sister Lisa Perkowski launched a mask-making campaign to serve health care professionals who were lacking necessary protective gear. Partnering with Hope for Tampa, Sister Lisa, along with 17 AHN parent, staff and student volunteers, donated more than 850 cloth masks to health professionals throughout Tampa Bay, including Baycare Riverview Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital, Home Instead Senior Care, and Integrity Senior Services. The Academy was also asked to sew masks for Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital using a breakthrough design from the University of Florida. For her work, the Super Bowl LV Host Committee recognized Sister Lisa with a virtual game ball!

Several students incorporated 21st century technology into their efforts to serve the community. Middle school siblings Avery and Jacob Judson used a Creality 3D printer to create face shields for health care workers locally and as distant as New York City. Using transparency films donated by Alex Llorente A’91, owner of Apex Office Products, the Judsons were able to print and assemble more than 300 shields, plus a batch of 40 for Academy faculty.

“It feels really good to know that I am making a difference in the outcome of this pandemic. I feel as if I am making my mark in 2020 and not letting it make a mark on me,” Jacob Judson said.

Ethan Wall, also in middle school, made 3D-printed face shields for TLC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and Sunshine SPOT home health facility, as well as 40 for Academy faculty. In the High School, juniors Laura Caroline Jung, Chloe Mintz, Jill Ledwon and Elizabeth McCree, along with Daniel Jung A’17, worked together—at a distance— to create 100 face shields for the staff and Tampa General and Morton Plant hospitals.

Laura Caroline Jung, who also made 40 shields for Academy faculty, wanted to help those who were helping the community. “In quarantine, I was quite attuned to the sacrifices health care workers were making. We were told that the most valuable first step in combating COVID-19 was staying home, but I knew I could do more to help those who were risking their lives for mine,” she said. “When Sister Lisa began spearheading Academy’s fabric mask collection, I finally found my way to get involved. My lack of sewing skills, however, led to making plastic face shields. … To quote many wise people throughout history, ‘If not us, who? And if not now, when?’”

Additional efforts included a technology drive for students in Hillsborough County who did not have access to a device for virtual schooling. In total, more than 21 devices were donated to Alexander Elementary and Egypt Lake Elementary. At the start of the quarantine, SAGE Dining, the Academy’s lunch provider, and the Dads Club donated all perishable food and concessions to Metropolitan Ministries.

TOP: The staff at TLC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics were glad to have face shields from Etha Wall. CENTER LEFT: Sr. Lisa Perkowski received a virtual game ball from the Super Bowl Host Committee. CENTER RIGHT: Chloe Mintz, Daniel Jung A’17 and Laura Caroline Jung took 100 masks to local hospitals. BOTTOM LEFT: Jake and Avery Judson used a 3D printer to create face shields. BOTTOM RIGHT: Lauren Lamoutte A’20 took advantage of time at home to sew cloth masks.