Displaced App State students face challenges returning to class

Appalachian State University resumed classes today after being closed for a little less than three weeks due to Helene.

But for displaced students, returning to school isn’t easy. 

Ann Workman, a senior at App State in the fine arts department, was living with her parents and 5-year-old son before Helene destroyed their home, two of their cars and nearly all of their belongings. And somehow, Workman is going back to school this week. 

“Obviously, I love my classes, and so I'm excited to make art again and to be able to get back into the studio and things like that," Workman said. "But I know that realistically, even though I want to do those things, I probably don't have the capacity to do them right now.”

Workman is temporarily staying in a cabin at the Blowing Rock Conference Center with her family. While local schools remain closed, her son is in a child care program at a nearby church, though she doesn’t how long that will be available. 

And aside from the logistical challenges of returning to class, Workman says the thought of being this vulnerable and anxious at school is scary. 

“There are times, that if there's too much silence, or I'm not staying busy enough, that I'm like, immediately on the verge of a panic attack," Workman said. 

App State officials say remote learning is an option for students too. But Workman can only access Wi-Fi in a shared, public space which isn’t ideal for online classes. 

In a video message to the App State community posted Wednesday, Interim Chancellor Heather Norris said that university staff and faculty will be working with individual students to address their needs. 

“We also don't expect that everyone will be able to return to the classroom and pick up as if nothing happened," Norris said. "Helene affected all of us in different ways, and so we will adjust.”

More than 140 residential and commercial buildings have been condemned due to storm damage in Boone alone. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.