The Collegiate Live
By Paige Bodine
Grand Rapids Community College’s music department’s standout soprano, Gabriela Ramonell, 21, was one of the highlights of GRCC’s honors concert. She performed in a way that wouldn’t seem possible a year ago. When COVID-19 transitioned to online classes, and took the opportunity to move back to her family in the Dominican Republic.
“It has been a bit surreal since I thought this wasn’t possible,” Ramonell said. “During the current health situation, technology has allowed me to keep connected to college, regardless of distance.”
For Ramonell, it was difficult to leave her friends and family when she decided to take classes at GRCC. However, the switch to a digital format allowed her to have the best of both worlds. She was able to take classes online and not be so far away from home. The Dominican Republic is a country that occupies the eastern part of the Hispaniola island in the Caribbean.