By Sharon Lee Tegler
Anna Marcoon was stunning in her vivid purple gown from David’s Bridal and Craig Johnson handsome in his Joseph A. Banks tux as they “walked” before an appreciative audience during the Prom Fashion Show at Severna Park High School on February 7.
It was a happy moment for Anna, Craig and 40 other models who appeared in the show.. Most were seniors who thoroughly enjoyed the process of choosing the clothes, getting hair and makeup done and then showing off the fashions with choreographed twists and turns.
However, the students also looked forward to dressing up “for real” to attend the SPHS Class of 2020’s prom on May 9.
Imagine their disappointment when State School Superintendent Karen B. Salmon ordered all Maryland schools closed beginning March 16 ….leaving graduation, prom and a host of school related events and activities in question.
Prom fashion show coordinator Allison Chang and her committee couldn’t believe that one month and five days after their dazzling prom fashion show raised $4,000 for the March of Dimes, their prom could be in doubt.
Like everyone else, Allison said she’s adapted to “online school” and tries to keep abreast of events as they unfold.
“We’re currently communicating with teachers and doing our work online and we’re communicating with each other,” she said. “At the moment, the prom has not been cancelled. I heard that, if it can’t be held in early May as scheduled, our venue has offered to reschedule it.”
Annabelle Cotton , president of the Class of 2020 confirmed that the prom will be held if all goes well.
“The school closing was scheduled to be from March 16 through April 24,” she said. “If we return to school the following week, then the prom will take place as planned on May 9th at the Marriott in Baltimore. However, if necessary, the hotel has agreed that we can postpone the prom to June or even July. Obviously, we’d prefer to hold it May 9.”
She added that graduation is tentatively slated to be held at the New Event Center at Live Casino & Hotel at Arundel Mills on June 1. However, the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website isn’t posting a definite schedule and informs parents and students to check back in May for dates and locations at https://www.aacps.org/graduationdates.
Both Annabelle and Allison admit that, in spite of teachers’ best efforts, it’s been hard to concentrate on the classes offered online.
“Seniors’ thoughts tend to be elsewhere under normal circumstances and even more so now,” Annabelle said.
SPAN, Inc. continues offering food, services
Co-directors Jennifer Pumphrey and Ellen Kinsella report that SPAN, Inc. is continuing to operate with office hours on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 to noon. However, they are doing no-contact assistance through a closed door during these hours.
“We are keeping our free outdoor pantry regularly stocked with food and toiletries,” Kinsella said. ” It’s a tall bin behind the SPAN house at 400 Benfield Road that is available to anyone who needs it. We just ask that people are courteous when choosing what they take.”
She added that their current fundraiser, a SPAN-A-THON is ending on April 15th because a generous donor is matching funds through that date, up to $2500. However, they’d welcome even more financial donations in anticipation of increased need once restrictions have lifted.
“We think there will be a lot of need for help with utility shut offs and evictions once this mess is over.,” she said.
SPAN’s website, http://www.spanhelps.org, has a link for online donations, which are tax exempt, and also a link under the donations tab for a current wish list
ACAN serving 200 families a week
The Asbury Church Assistance Network (ACAN) has grown increasingly busy as people continued to be laid off from work according to executive director Janet Pack.
“We’re offering curbside assistance with cars pulling up to the front of our building where a selection of foods is laid out on tables. People are especially eager to get fresh produce,” Pack said. “We already serviced 200 people as of today which is what we’re seeing consistently.”
She added that ACAN is also operating mobile drop offs to the homes of people who are elderly or ill.
“We’re having trouble trying to keep up with supplying gas for our vehicles which are used to pick up food from those who donate or supply us and then make the mobile deliveries. So we’re currently seeking donations to keep those vehicles running.
ACAN’s office/food pantry is located behind Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church at 429 Asbury Drive and is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 am -2 pm. For details or to make a donation visit https://acansevernapark.org/ or call 443-763-1120.
Neighborhood Updates
Severna Park Automotive now serving customers
Mike McNealey, owner of Severna Park Automotive, recently informed customers and the community at large that the business has adapted to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines and is again offering its normal repair and maintenance services.
“During this time Severna Park Automotive is going to offer FREE pick-up and delivery of your vehicle within a 5-mile radius of our shop,” McNealey said.
He added that the shop is taking multiple steps to minimize health risks by including enhanced cleaning procedures on every vehicle serviced and focusing on ensuring the health and safety of customers, employees and their families.
They’ve also made arrangements to take payments over the phone for ease and convenience.
McNealey hopes his customers and others will continue to sustain our communities by shopping local and supporting local businesses.
Services from the Heart partners with UM BWMC
Severna Park resident and Services from the Heart president Donna Wilson-Johnston announced that her organization is not currently providing for Backpack Buddy participants at the three schools they serve throughout the school year.
However, they’ve recently joined a food distribution initiative at Hilltop Elementary School that supports local families with children. The operation is organized by University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center‘s Hungry Harvest along with Caring Cupboards.
Hungry Harvest is handing out food boxes of fresh fruit, veggies, and protein shake boxes while Caring Cupboard is handing out non perishable items such as pasta and sauce. Services from the Heart is a new partner in this great operation and will be handing out 75 bags of nonperishable food items.
The food distribution is at Hilltop Elementary School April 18 from 12:00-12:30. The last two Saturdays saw about 200 families show up for food assistance. For information, email donna@communityservicesfromtheheart.com .
