NHS Students Prepare

Final Presentations For Career Class

By Eliza Hallabeck

From filming a documentary to creating a their own businesses, students in this semester’s Senior Project course practiced presenting their projects on Wednesday, April 29.

The course is open to juniors and seniors at the school, and allows students to learn and create their own idea to pursue. Overseen by school to career coordinator Peg Ragaini, social studies teacher Kirsten Hardy, and math teacher Angela Pennucci, this semester’s course had 16 students.

“Public speaking makes me incredibly nervous,” said Ms Ragaini, before allowing the students to start practice presenting their projects.

Senior Joe Eckler said his project for the course involved trying to start his own business. While working with a mentor, Joe said his idea involved something to do with photos originally. That later evolved into his concept of helping people to store their family photos on DVD discs.

From there, “We thought about trying to start my own business,” he said.

 On Tuesday, May 26, the presentations for the class start. Students will one by one stand before their classmates and students in other classes to describe their topic of interest and the work they have completed to make it to their goal. Night presentations will also be held.

Junior Ryan Ames said he created a short documentary with a “60 Minutes kind of feel.”

“I’ve always been a fan of kids,” Ryan said, while explaining his documentary, which focuses on fourth grade students preparing to enter Reed Intermediate School this coming fall. Ryan said his younger brother, Max, a fourth grade student at Head O’ Meadow, helped him.

“I’m seeing that not as many kids are scared about what adults think they are scared of,” said Ryan. He added that most of the students he has talked to have been more excited than scared of the new experience they are about to encounter.

Using his home digital camera, Ryan said he has found that things that scare the fourth grade students the most are things elementary schools do not have, but Reed Intermediate School does, like lockers.

Anika Garrett said when she was a freshman at Newtown High School she created a skirt and top for a runway project at the school, and now as a junior in the Senior Project course she chose fashion as her topic of interest.

“I’ve always really loved fashion,” said Anika, adding that she also enjoys art. “And I thought creating clothes was a great way to express myself through art.”

Anika said she took the Senior Project course because it would be a way for her to express what she is interested in.

During the class on Wednesday students stood before their classmates and shared how they planned to present their projects, while also enjoying pizza and soda.