WKU Owensboro News

When her family members were diagnosed with COVID-19, Bachelor of Social Work student Emiley Fallaway didn't miss a beat. She pitched a tent in the back yard and, with laptop in tow, continued her studies.

Emiley's father is an essential worker, so he had to continue reporting to work. He, along with his wife and daughter, eventually contracted the virus, putting Emiley at risk. She wanted to maintain a safe distance, so a tent was a way to isolate herself and still be close to her family

"She hasn’t missed an assignment or a due date," said her professor, Dr, Whitney Harper. "She attends every zoom session – and with positivity."

Living in a tent was challenging, but Emiley toughed it out until extreme rain and wind made it impossible to keep the tent secure.

"I was only able to keep the tent up for about four days before the wind and the rain caused me to have to take it down," she said. "I am back in my room now, staying isolated from my family as much as I possibly can. Luckily I have not experienced any fevers or symptoms myself," she said.

Emiley will finish the semester strong. Her family is feeling better overall, with her dad mainly dealing with lingering fatigue. She and her family will be safe to leave the house on May 14.

This experience has taught her some important lifelong lessons.

“I have learned to appreciate my time at school more, as I miss my classmates and my teachers so much,” said Emiley. “This has taught me to live in the moment and to try to become the best version of myself at all times because you never know what tomorrow brings.”