Like everything else this spring, Proctor's Senior Project program had to shift in response to coronavirus-induced remote learning. The two and a half-week immersion program serves as a capstone experience for the majority of seniors each spring, with activities ranging from internships in metropolitan areas to wood working projects to cross country adventures.
This spring, seniors creatively adjusted their projects in order to take advantage of the unique learning experience. Focusing on individual interests, seniors have embarked on a journey of personal learning and exploration over the next few weeks. Check out a quick window into four Senior Projects in action below!
Vienna Marcus - OneGirlFoundation
How has the Senior Project gone so far?
We are only a few days into our projects, and most of Monday, I spent preparing for the following weeks; however, Tuesday, I hit the road for my first adventure! For my Senior Project, I am fundraising money through an organization called OneGirl. OneGirl's mission is to educate girls in Uganda and Sierra Leone. I am doing this by wearing a "school dress" while going on adventures throughout NH. Today I hiked both the West and East Rattlesnake Mountain Trails, offering a gorgeous view of Squam Lake.
What do you foresee as some of your biggest challenges?
I think my biggest challenge will be to raise money. I realize that the pandemic makes it a less than ideal time to be asking for money. Before COVID-19, I was going to be adventuring out west, driving a conversion van across multiple states; it would be easier to promote OneGirl and raise money if I were able to strike up conversations with other adventure enthusiasts.
What are you really excited about?
I am really excited to get outside and see parts of New Hampshire I have never seen before. I wish I were sledding the dunes at White Sands, NM, rock climbing at RedRocks, NV, or horseback riding in AZ, but hey - New Hampshire is beautiful (especially at this time of year), and I am grateful to soak in all of its beauty before leaving for college.
What are your goals with the project?
I have three main goals. The first and perhaps most apparent goal of mine is to raise money. I want to raise 1,000 dollars, which could educate three girls for one year. My second goal is to learn some of the strategies behind fundraising through social media platforms. The last goal is to learn as much as I can about the power of educating a girl. If you find my project interesting, you can learn more about OneGirl HERE. If you would like to follow MY journey specifically, you can find me on Instagram @onegirlvienna or read my blog posts (and donate!) HERE.
Sean - Nutrition, Fitness, & Virtual 5k
How has the Senior Project gone so far?
So far, Senior Project has been really enjoyable. I have been able to take a step away from classes and delve in and explore my project, which is centered around nutrition and fitness. It is still early, but it has been a successful start and a good experience for me.What do you foresee as some of your biggest challenges?
I am not sure what challenges will arise. However, I could envision some difficulties staying grounded and focused on the primary goal of my project because there is a variety of ways I could take it.What are you really excited about?
I am really excited to present my findings of nutrition and share what I thought about the three diets I am trying (carnivore, ketogenic, and vegan) as they coincide with an intense physical fitness regiment. So far, it has been a really exciting project, and it is a topic that I enjoy researching, which makes it all the better.What are your goals with the project?
The final product will hopefully be in two parts. The first is the one I've been working on for a couple of months now. It will be like a case study or guide format describing the research I've done on the three diets, how I reacted to each one over a period of time, and my takeaways for fitness. The second is that I am trying to plan a virtual 5k for the community, and if all goes well, we will be able to carry on the tradition.
Anna Davis - Woodworking
How has the Senior Project gone so far?
I have only been working on my project for two days, but so far, everything is going well. I was able to gather all my materials I needed the first day and make a plan. From there, I have been able to set goals for each day and hope to follow them and stay on track! I think the most important thing for me to do is have a plan and make sure that each day I am doing enough work to have a finished project at the end of the time.What do you foresee as some of your biggest challenges?
I think the biggest challenge for me will be making the same product (Adirondack chair) that I made at school with ease at home because I do not have as many tools that the woodshop has. So far, I haven't needed anything that I don't have, but I think when I face that problem, it may slow me down a little, and I will have to be more flexible with my daily plan.
What are you really excited about?
I’m excited that I have two weeks to create something that I will be able to put on display at my house. Having already made a chair at school, I was inspired to make a second and keep using the skills that I learned in woodworking. I am also excited that I picked a project that I enjoy doing rather than something less enjoyable and maybe more stressful. I think I am going to have a lot of fun with it!What are your goals with the project?
Some goals I have while making a second chair are keeping my woodworking skills and knowledge sharp, learning to create things for myself rather than having to buy them, and being able to display what I have made in our backyard for our family and friends.
Cam, Timmy, Nate, and Kevin: Podcasting
How has the Senior Project gone so far?
Senior Project has gone pretty well so far. We spent the first couple of days getting organized and getting supplies like food and whatnot. Now we are brainstorming ideas for the podcast and setting up our mic. We are excited and ready to get rolling on the podcast.What do you foresee as some of your biggest challenges?
Our biggest challenges will be trying to make it entertaining and fun to listen to while also working to give off a message. We want to make people happy and put a smile on their faces, and we hope we can make that happen. Another challenge that we have discussed is making the script and organizing it in a way that makes sense and is fun.What are you really excited about?
We are very excited to explore each other’s passions and shed some light on our fellow peers. We are also excited to share some laughs and create memories during this final stretch of our senior spring.What are your goals with the project?
Our goals are to spread a message to the underclassman that they can take with them in their coming years. We also want to make a funny and creative podcast that many will enjoy and shed light on the lives of Proctor people during these unwanted times.
