Class of 2020: The Podcaster

By Laura RiceMay 27, 2020 2:01 pm, , ,

Just as his spring break was beginning, Westwood High School senior Maxfield Rivers found out that it would last longer than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rivers’ Round Rock, Texas, school, like so many others, began online classes after the extended break. Since then, he’s used his time at home to turn anxiety about COVID-19 into a podcast about the disease.

“I think a lot of people are struggling with online learning. … [But] I’m spending so much less time with actual class work, I’m able to focus my energy on things that I’m actually passionate about. I’ve found that to be a real gift, actually.”

“I solve my anxiety sometimes by getting more information. So I decided that I would reach out to experts and try to understand more about what was going on in the world with COVID-19. … I’d always wanted to do a podcast because I thought it sounded cool.”

“I was so nervous at the beginning to email people and to talk to people. … But after I sent the first few emails, I got a lot more comfortable with it. Phone calls, I’m still nervous about.”

If you found the reporting above valuable, please consider making a donation to support it here. Your gift helps pay for everything you find on texasstandard.org and KUT.org. Thanks for donating today.