February 4th started out as a normal Monday. Perhaps a bit more sluggish because of the Superbowl, yet still more or run of the mill until the power suddenly went near the end of 8th period. The power outage affected homes and businesses from W. 30th all the way down to W. 99th Street, a distance of 3.5 miles. The cause of the outage is unknown.
Some 9th period classes were able to push forward, but others scrapped their lessons for the day. Among those affected was Mr. Hogan’s class in the basement of the chapel. Their classroom–with no windows to let in natural light–was pitch-black, and class was clearly unable to resume. As a result Mr. Hogan was forced to release his 9th period class early.
Other teachers were able to proceed. Mr. Howard–whose famous whiteboard notes need no power–and Mr. Fujimoto both carried on, although both teachers had scuttle planned videos. “We have enough hot air in us to last one class,” Mr. Fujimoto said. “If [the power were out] a whole day, that would be a different story.”
The lack of power created other problems, as well. The lack of working elevators forced Ignatians on crutches to use the stairs to navigate campus, causing one student to trip while doing so. English teacher Mr. Hodermarsky was stuck in the old main building elevator for 25 minutes in total darkness.
Forgetting his cell phone, Mr. Hodermarsky had no light to see or the ability to dial for help, but he eventually found the emergency call button and waited for Director of Plant Services Mr. Peter Hendler to rescue him. Despite being in this nerve-wracking situation, he stayed calm. “I teach [Edgar Allen] Poe, so I’m very accustomed to reading about these claustrophobic environments. I’d ironically just got done reading the ‘Cask of Amontillado,’ where–as you know–the character, Fortunado, is walled in at the end of the story,” Hodermarsky said. “Poe got me through it.”
Hear Mr. Hodermarsky’s interview with Eye moderator Mr. Pecot below
