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Family challenges inspire student’s senior project
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
Marie Stephenson, center, dances during a performance of “Miracle on 34th Street” at South Range High School Sunday afternoon. The performance, which was organized, in part by Stephenson as her senior project, features dancers from Kathi’s Dance and Gym Center and benefits Cystic Fibrosis research.
GREEN
One South Range High School student’s family served as inspiration for her senior project.
Marie Stephenson has two cousins with cystic fibrosis and decided to make the condition, which causes severe lung damage, her topic.
Although students have had to do a senior project as part of English class for 12 years, this is the first year that it is a graduation requirement.
Stephenson collaborated with Kathi’s Dance and Gym Center, where she takes lessons, to have “Miracle on 34th Street” at the high school auditorium Sunday. The show was a sell-out, with all proceeds benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund.
“There are so many breakthroughs in research, and even if scientists don’t find a cure, it will help with treatment,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson described herself as a liaison between the school and the dance center, which has a Christmas benefit concert annually. “Miracle on 34th Street” was the first production in the new building’s auditorium, which was completed last month.
For the project, seniors are required to spend 15 hours on a topic with a mentor, keep a log of activities, write a research paper that relates to the project, present their portfolio and give a speech to faculty and outside experts, said English teacher Bonnie Molnar, who oversees the projects.
“All through their life, they’re going to have to research something, develop something and present what they’ve done. Those are real-world skills,” Molnar said.
The type and topic of projects vary greatly, she said.
“There’s always someone who does something that’s never been done before. They range from service projects to taking lessons to writing things to rebuilding a car,” Molnar said, adding that one group even created a quiz bowl tournament with their own questions.
Steve Rohan, high school principal, said the topics could either convince students that they should continue a certain interest, or be just as effective by letting them know that they don’t want to do this in college or in a career.
“It encourages them to follow their interests,” Rohan said.
The high school’s 85 seniors have until spring break to complete their projects.