Senior Projects Explore Students Career Interests

By Tanjua Damon

Just before graduation, Newtown High School seniors in the Senior Project Program are able to go outside of the classroom and explore careers that interests them. It is an opportunity for the students to experience a new kind of learning, a type that they direct and tailor to themselves.

The seniors presented their projects last week to a group of panelists who evaluate the students on professional manner, knowledge of topic, and what their project offers the community. During their presentations, students discussed what challenges and obstacles they had to address as their project progressed. They talked about the things they learned about themselves as well as whether or not they planned to continue pursuing the specific career field they had selected to research through the senior project.

The Senior Project is offered in both the fall and the spring. Students are paired with a mentor in their career field. The students meet in the evening throughout the semester to see how the progress of the project is coming, how the product is developing, and what will be included in the presentation. The program, although monitored through high school advisors, is an independent class that requires students to be motivated, dedicated, and self-directed. This year’s advisors for the program were Peg Ragaini, Randi Kiely, Katharine Dougherty, and Walter Nakonechny.

Advisors for the program encourage students to select a topic that they are passionate about, something that they may never be able to do again. Many in the spring session did just that.

Lindsay Hudson-Tolles researched her interest in photography by taking photos at Pegasus, a therapeutic riding program for children.

“I wanted to do something with animals. I liked the idea of dealing with children and horses and seeing how they interacted with each other,” Lindsay said. “It was challenging getting the right pictures with expression between the two.”

Dennis Hammer is interested in criminal justice. He spent time with a public defender in the Derby District Courts researching people’s legal rights. Dennis initially thought he would like to work for a private firm, but since the completion of his Senior Project feels he will prepare to help people who need a lawyer in the public realm. Dennis worked with David Nanavaty, a senior assistant public defender.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with the court and law, not in a bad way. It’s just intrigued me,” Dennis said. “I used to want to be a private lawyer, but now I want to be a public defender because there is more of a need. I changed what I really wanted to do. I like the idea of being a part of the central system.”

Kelly Coney, a Barton L. Weller Scholarship Finalist, looked into the career of being a physical therapist working with the Newtown School District programs at Middle Gate, Hawley, and Sandy Hook schools. Kelly at first thought she wanted to be a doctor, but someone recommended to her to look into physical therapy as well. She worked with physical therapist Kathleen Stowell and occupational therapist Claire Borkowski.

“It’s more hands-on with helping people. It’s more than just a business,” Kelly said. “I really could see the difference. I’m pretty good at making relationships with other people. As a physical therapist you need to be able to motivate people.”

Sean O’Mahoney realized through his senior project that the FBI is something he seriously will consider as a career once he finishes college. He enjoyed being able to work with John Blawie, senior assistant state’s attorney, to see the ins and outs of a special agent. He was able to see the special crime scene laboratory as well as go the FBI headquarters in New Haven.

“It’s something you wake up in the morning and really don’t know what you are going to be doing that day,” he said.

Seniors Christopher Thibdeau, Megan Kelly, Janine Pixley, Joe Unger, Kristin Ryan, and Emily Steinfeld also participated this spring.

The Senior Project program is offered during the fall and spring to Newtown High School seniors interested in learning firsthand what a particular career field is like. Any senior interested in the program should contact Ms Ragaini or Ms Kiely at the high school.