The "COVID-19 Takes A Friend!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Recently saw a story in the newspaper telling of the death of Alexandra Chitwood who was a Guidance counselor at the Manheim Township Middle School in Neffsville, Pennsylvania.  I taught in the high school for 32 years, but had retired from teaching before Alexandra began her position at the Middle School.  I still had gotten to know her since she began working at the Middle School, since I have done the Middle School Yearbook until this past year.   During the school year I would make weekly visits to the school to take photographs of school activities as well as many candids for the yearbook.  I also took individual photos of the principals as well as group shots of the counselors, custodians, food staff, etc.  It was during those visits that I had a chance to meet and talk with Alexandra many times over the past 19 years that she worked at the Middle School.  She was loved by the many students whom she helped in her office in the Guidance area of the Middle School.  It takes a certain type of person to be a Guidance Counselor, especially in the Intermediate and Middle School.  The students in grades of 5 thru 8 seem to have problems that are unique to those in that age group, and Alexandra had the skills, knowledge and compassion to help students in that age group.  It was on November 4th that Mrs. Chitwood died of acute respiratory failure related to COVID-19.  It was in mid-October that she went scrapbooking in the nearby town of Quarryville.  She was careful enough to wear a mask and carry hand sanitizer with her.  But, she was still infected by another participant at the meeting, since she was told later that the other person had tested positive.  By late October, both she and her husband Jordan had tested positive for the virus.  Since that time, Jordan has been asymptomatic, but Alexandra had shortness of breath and a nagging cough.  On Wednesday evening, November 4th, she was fine one minute and then she was died.  There were stories in the newspaper about her loyalty to the students she helped over the years as a guidance councilor.  One student who had severe food anxiety was helped by Mrs. Chitwood who actually ate lunch with her several times a week until she felt she could handle it on her own.  Christine Resh, the Middle School Principal, said that Mrs. Chitwood could brighten a room with her smile and laughter.  That's exactly how I remember her!  She always had a smile on her face.  When she saw me coming with my camera, she always prepared with a big smile.  Last Monday the teachers were asked to wear red, Alexandra's favorite color.  

Jordan and Alexandra
Submitted to newspaper.

Alexandra and Jordan met on a trip to Europe thorough the national student ambassador program in the summer of 2009. They were both on the same trip, but didn't meet until they saw each other in a restaurant in Rome, Italy.  After three weeks of traveling together throughout Italy and Greece, they knew they had something special together.  But, he lived in Florida at the time.  Wasn't long before he moved to Lancaster and they got married.  In the newspaper article Mr. Chitwood is quoted as saying she was definitely "A Walking Angel."  He said he will miss her kindness and caring personality, exactly the same qualities that her students will miss.  Mr. Chitwood had a message for all those who read the newspaper article...Take COVID-19 seriously.  This can attack you no matter how healthy you may be!  I too agree with him.  Don't think it can't happen to you!  No one is immune from it!  Wear a mask and stay away from people as much as you can.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.