Staff writer
When Centre High School English teacher Jennifer Montgomery began assigning senior projects 10 years ago, they were research papers and presentations.
Gradually the projects became more personal for students and the seniors began using different methods of presentation.
“It’s an expression of them and the resources they have,” Montgomery said. “I was trying to meet the needs of the different kinds of kids in my room.”
Montgomery said the variety and creativity of this year’s projects is exceptional. CHS seniors will present their projects to the public 5 p.m. May 9.
Tanner Brunner, Brian Burhoop, and Amanda Floyd are working on educational presentations related to agriculture.
Tori Marler, Adam Matz, and Casey Kristek are creating instructional videos related to their favorite sports. Tori employed fellow senior volleyball player Allison Shields to be her model for a volleyball skills video. Adam deconstructs and analyzes golf swings. Casey’s video details weightlifting exercises. Montgomery said Kristek’s video could be used as a training tool for younger students interested in weightlifting.
Jacob Jirak and Rustyn Kerbs are preparing small books, although they are distinct.
Inspired by his experience of playing football for the Cougars, Rustyn has interviewed players from the 1997 CHS state championship football. His plan is to tell the players’ story from the beginning of their inspiration — a speech by former CHS assistant football coach Stan Wiles given to those players when they were fifth-graders — through their final game.
Jacob is preparing an anthology of his own poetry.
“It’s not elementary,” Montgomery said. “He really experiments with space and punctuation.”
Jacob is also using images of famous artwork to help evoke feelings with his poems.
The projects can be more traditional.
Ashley Jensen has researched Aicardi Syndrom and she will give a presentation to a CHS biology class about the condition in May. Aicardi syndrome is a medical condition that is personal for Ashley because her sister died from complications of the illness when Ashley was young.
“It’s been hard for her to remove herself to do the research,” Montgomery said. “She’s able to bring this into her own life.”
The senior projects can also be tangible expression of creativity made from wood or metal.
Nick Kleiber and D.J. Turner have chosen carpentry projects. Nick has constructed a gun cabinet, while D.J. has finished an infant crib.
Automobiles are Ben Wirtz and Charles Stuchlik’s muse.
Ben is constructing a rat rod. A rat rod is a hot rod assembled from the parts of many different vehicles. He is using both the bed of a truck and an empty keg for his gas can.
While appearance is less important than speed and creativity for Ben, Charles has gone in a different direction.
He is restoring a 1969 Dodge Dart. Montgomery said he is close to painting the car now.
While most senior projects focus on a physical product — a book, video, or even a car that can be seen and touched — they can be more abstract.
Part of Ripley Howard’s project was auditioning for an acting job.
“Whether she makes it or not is not something we can grade,” Montgomery said.
More importantly is the preparation before the audition and the instructional video of acting that goes with the project.
Katie Remy is directing a play for her project using three middle school actors. A taped performance will be Katie’s final submission, although it does not document all the work that went into Remy’s production.
“Determining blocking and costuming,” Montgomery gave as examples, “Dealing with them not knowing their lines.”
Other students with projects are Allison, who is working on a scuba-diving related project; Emily Staatz, who completed a Kindergarten lesson last semester; Cole Svoboda, who is making a video about hunting; and Tyler Klenda, who is designing a computer gaming website.
Each CHS project includes different phases. Before the projects begin, students must present their idea to Montgomery and a panel of teachers. The students must have a realistic goal to accomplish in that meeting.
Then students write a research paper due at the end of the first semester.
In the second semester, students give Montgomery weekly updates on the status of their projects. In the instance that something goes wrong in a project — prevalent in car projects that can be derailed because of a missing part — the goal for the student can be adjusted.
Included in the project are mentoring and community service components.
Tanner, Brian, Ben, and Charles worked in the area for local farmers and mechanics.
Tori instructed a clinic for young volleyball players.
Ben chose Charles father, Dan, as his mentor for his project, while Charles chose an auto mechanic friend in Marion.
Jacob talked to local columnist Pat Wick about writing.
While relying on relatives and CHS teachers is discouraged, Katie has used Sharon Matz and her mother, Lynley, who directs plays at Centre.
The culmination of their senior projects is the exhibition May 9. Montgomery said communicating about their project is a valuable lesson in the senior project experience.
“I feel strongly about this because they’re improving their communication skills with something they care about,” Montgomery said.
This will be the last year Montgomery will be able to use class time to allow students to work on their projects. The senior project portion of the curriculum will be scaled back so Montgomery can focus on ACT preparation.
“It will primarily be outside of class,” Montgomery said. “We just really need to make sure kids are ready for the ACT material.”