Sisters Madisyn and Khloe Travis have been social distancing together, since the coronavirus pandemic hit Detroit hard in March. 

Madisyn, a junior at Cass Tech high school, talks about how stressful the transition to virtual learning was for teachers and students. Teachers had to learn the new virtual platforms, students had to resubmit assignments they had already completed, and sitting in front of a screen that long was tough. To cope with the stress, Madisyn picked up baking and launched a thriving small business, called Cookie Crumbs By Madi.

Khloe, a student at Cranbrook Kingswood Girls Middle School says she got used to virtual learning pretty quickly but lamented being in the house all day, every day. To keep herself occupied, she painted a mural in her bedroom, which created new scenery.

Since starting school in September, the Travis sisters have tried face-to-face learning but quickly returned to home-schooling after realizing that they just weren’t ready.

Are you a parent who would be willing to let your young person speak with Orlando? Email him at obailey@bridgedetroit.com.   

Learn more about how Detroit youth are navigating the coronavirus pandemic.