This year you will be completing a Senior Project to demonstrate the knowledge and maturity you have gained during your high school career. This project has several components that you will complete throughout the entire year. You will select your topic based on your personal interests.

Project Pride has five components. The first is the proposal. You will decide your topic, choose a Community Mentor to act as your professional resource, put together a plan of action, and submit this to a committee for approval. Once approved, you are ready to begin working. If you are not approved, you will need to make the changes suggested by the committee and resubmit your proposal for approval.

The second component involves researching and writing a documented research paper on some aspect of your topic. The proper methods for writing this paper will be taught in your senior English class, and your paper will be graded. Its purpose is for you to gather information on your topic necessary to complete the next component, the project.

The physical project is where you apply the information you have gained through your research. Your project may take many forms. Some examples would be to teach a topic to a class, organize a benefit, build something and donate it, put together a concert, and the list goes on and on. Whatever you choose to do, you should expect to spend at least 15 hours of documented time on your project. You will keep record of the planning and implementation of your project in your portfolio.

The last component is your presentation to the Board. You will spend 8 to 10 minutes informing board members of your work. This time is immediately followed by a five-minute question and answer period in which you will answer questions about your project, research, and learning. You will speak to a board made up of teachers, members of the community, and CNHS parents. Each component of Project Pride will be assessed by your panel of judges during your Senior Boards. Completion of all components is required to meet the Columbus North graduation requirements. This will be your opportunity to really show off your project to the community.

Although you might feel overwhelmed by the project requirements at this time, be assured that if you meet all the deadlines, give it your best, challenge yourself and take appropriate risks, you will not only graduate, but you will feel like you really accomplished something important during your senior year!

Sincerely,