WVHS Senior Project participants share topics during official announcement ceremony
During a ceremony last Thursday, 15 Warwick Valley seniors formally announced their project topics, goals, and mentors for the 2021-2022 Senior Projects.
Following a welcome address by WVHS Principal Ms. Marguerite Fusco, program advisors Ms. Jeanine Fogler and Mr. Nick DiLeo presented this year’s participating seniors to a supportive audience of district faculty and administration, Board of Education members, family, and classmates.
This year’s keynote speaker was Ms. Marissa Sarbak. Ms. Sarbak is a Warwick Valley graduate and former Senior Project participant. She is now a television news anchor and reporter for News12, where she covers Long Island, Westchester and the Hudson Valley.
While the Senior Project program is nationally recognized, the Warwick version has been specialized over the years, and presents unique independent study opportunities for the students. The programs combination of project-based learning, real-world performance opportunities, and professional networking provide invaluable experience for 21st century students. Senior Project raises learning standards through rigorous and relevant skill applications. It is a relevant and challenging test of graduates’ readiness for today’s fast-paced, global community.
Participating students must complete the “4 P’s.”
- The Project: What each student chooses to study, and goals they set to accomplish with their mentor.
- The Paper: A collegiate-level paper, seven to 10 pages in length, on their topic, which presents the students’ knowledge of their topic, including findings and outcomes.
- The Portfolio: This piece chronicles each student’s process, including documentation, correspondences, photos, and anything else related to the project.
- The Presentation: Students give an oral presentation on their topic and outcomes to a panel of judges drawn from the District and the community.
Thursday’s ceremony was the students’ first opportunity to formalize their commitment to the program by speaking publicly about their individual topics.
This year’s participants and their topics are:
- Student: Maya Bieling
Topic: Themed Photography Portfolio – “Life in Motion”
Mentor: Mrs. Shari Blauner, WVHS Art Teacher - Student: Nicholas Cicchetti
Topic: Blacksmithing – forging an original sword
Mentor: Todd Nespoli - Student: Kieran Currao
Topic: Youth Lacrosse Camp
Mentor: Thomas Kelly, WVHS Varsity Lacrosse Coach; WVMS Teacher - Student: Erin De La Mota
Topic: Creating an original short film
Mentor: Mr. Dan Cecconie, WVHS Video Production Teacher - Student: Erin Eicher
Topic: Self-publishing a graphic novel
Mentor: James Yang, Author/Illustrator - Student: Elijah Jean
Topic: Produce an original hip-hop album
Mentor: Ms. Elissa Maynard, WVHS Music Teacher at - Student: Emma Kantor
Topic: Learning American Sign Language (ASL)
Mentor: TBD - Student: Max Kruger
Topic: Make an original sign using engineering principles
Mentor: Kevin Wilson, WVHS S.T.E.M. teacher - Student: Aurora Legris
Topic: Create an original fashion line
Mentor: Kevin Behrent, Category Manager for Pink (Victoria’s Secret) - Student: James McCullouh
Topic: Building a lawnmower engine
Mentor: Dennis Van Dunk - Student: Silvana Montalvo
Topic: Writing an original play
Mentor: Heather Brown, Staten Island TECH High School - Student: Yirshalem Pinkus
Topic: Learning how to tap dance
Mentor: Kaycee Wright, Dance Choreographer - Student: Isabella Pizza
Topic: Learning how to sculpt metal with recycled materials
Mentor: Amy Sweetman - Student: Shaaz Rizvi
Topic: Curating a music album
Mentor: Elissa Maynard, WVHS Music Teacher - Student: Gregory Saucedo
Topic: Creating a Business Plan
Mentor: Doug Cook , Grandmaster of Chosun Taekwondo Academy
The next milepost in the 2021-2022 Senior Project timeline is February 8, when the students must have their paper outline prepared, including a working bibliography. This year’s Senior Project culminates in early June, with the Senior Project Boards and a celebration dinner.
Watch the Senior Project Formal Announcement Ceremony in its entirety. Video player is below this image gallery.
