Stress, pressure, and freaking out: Senior Project can be a very real and stressful topic for the Shepaug class of 2018. Senior project has been a part of Shepaug tradition for decades. While it is time-consuming and rigorous, it also provides valuable insight into what real-world careers are like, and helps students develop important life skills.

Mr. Stinson a teacher at Shepaug who has taught senior project for more than 20 years says, “Senior Project is a year-long course that has a culminating experience for all seniors of Shepaug. It is a way for them to take everything they have learned from their 12 years of schooling as a whole, and show the community that they are ready to take the next step in their new journey.”

Stinson explained his role as a teacher in Senior Project.

“A teacher is more of a facilitator than a teacher,” said Stinson. “They will be there to answer questions, but then ask questions of their own.” He went on to describe how a teacher becomes the boss and sets hard deadlines the seniors need to meet.

Olivia Lautier is a senior at Shepaug. “My Senior Project is about broadcasting, specifically sports broadcasting and I am looking to make my own broadcast about my brother, Connor who means a lot to me”  she said. “I am stressed about the journals the seniors have to write every week which are three 350 words.  All the papers and forms that come with senior project are extremely stressful because the seniors have learned that if they do not get these in on time our open period and privileges as seniors can be taken away.” While it is stressful, she also commented about the benefits stating, “ I like how it is student led”.

Senior Emmalynn Brenner is creating her own album for Senior Project.  The most stressful thing for her senior project so far “was realizing that I wasn’t just writing music and creating an album, but I, along with the other seniors, have to write the proposal and [complete] all of the forms that I need to get signed [which] are a huge stress.”

Emmalynn also stated that she did not realize that senior project would be as demanding as it is.  

Some of the Senior Projects leave lasting marks on Shepaug. This can be either good or bad. Some students like to leave a legacy. However, this adds to the stress of Senior Project. Some projects involve constant upkeep once the Senior has graduated, but it is a shame to hear that many of the very important and attention grabbing senior projects left behind have been run down and not taken care of.

This makes one think. Is Senior Project really worth it? It is up to the Seniors. It is what they make of it. If students choose a project they are not passionate about, it would be an unsatisfactory project. If students choose passion projects, it could help encourage future careers and be fun.