Senior Project Booklet 2020

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nd get out of their comfort zones. I have learned a lot about my character and my honest desire to want to elp kids and teens who are in my position or like mine when I was younger and want to better or maximize their otential.I feel like the hard work that my fellow seniors and I put into our projects will never be fully recognized. e COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that teamwork and unity are a necessity. I have so much love for my hool, and COVID-19 did nothing but grow that love even further. If we had only known that we would not be eing each other for the last time, we would not waste a moment of it. Just because our senior projects will ot be completed, doesn’t mean that the time we spent working on them was for nothing. I realize how much I ally enjoyed helping others who are in need. Senior Project was a way to leave your mark on this community or mething that you can remember that was special to yourself before your next chapter. So, overall, I would say at my Senior Project while on paper was a complete failure, was more of a success in my eyes and serves as e foundation with which I hope to build my illustrative career on. I knew staying home was the best option for y health and theirs, but I didn’t want things to end this way. I believe that it taught me some things about myself nd what I like to do. When Senior Project was cancelled, I knew I still wanted to complete mine. I’m happy I was ble to at least start my project and learn some interesting things. I think that this journey has impacted me in way I could have never experienced in any other scenario. I was looking forward to presenting it and seeing her people’s opinions and thoughts on it. Sometimes the result isn’t the most important; moreover, it is each efining moment on the journey that shapes and transforms a person. I learned how quickly things can change. erything can be taken away from you in an instant and anything can change no matter how good you feel like ings are going. Senior Project taught me how to overcome adversity and how important it is to get stuff done. enior Project is a way for all of us to do what God created us to do and to have a purpose in our lives. Although e pandemic has caused the senior class to lose many important events and miss out on what would have een many incredible memories, it is important that we don’t forget about the many amazing memories we have ready made together and use those to carry us through these times. I take nothing else for granted and try to e in the moment. One thing I am always able to control is how I react, and that is what will make the difference the future. Never take things for granted. You need to cherish the things you have and adapt to situations as ey come at you. I am definitely deeply saddened and disappointed by what happened to the last half of senior ar and the Senior Project process because of the COVID-19 outbreak. I wish I could have heard and seen all e things my fellow classmates worked on throughout the year. I’m thankful for the time I’ve had being isolated ecause I’ve learned that I can do things on my own as well as many other things. I had a clear picture of just ow impactful a Senior Project could be. It taught me so much about myself and how to be a leader and for that m very grateful. I do believe that the Senior Project has the potential to bring ideas to life. This experience has ught me that I do not give up. This project will forever be a piece of me. A piece I can hopefully share one day on. Always try and remain positive regardless of the circumstances that you may face. I can only hope that the future I can be the author I’ve always dreamed to be. The Senior Project was a reflection of who we are, hat we love, what makes us. I WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD TO SAY THAT I AM A PATRIOT. I was looking forward to esenting it, but I know that true value in my project is what I have learned about my future career. This made special. It’s important to maintain a productive and positive mindset no matter the circumstances. Looking this situation and how it has had global impact makes the last few weeks of senior year seem small in comarison. The Senior Project gave me a wonderful opportunity to do something I loved. This Senior Project journey as led me to reflect and be more real with myself than I ever have in the past.Let’s make this journey a way to arn. I think the lesson that I can take way that life is rough, and things don’t always go as planned. Look for e silver linings and cherish any moment of joy within your life. Senior Project has taught me about leadership nd delegating tasks. These life skills and the chance to express my own take of a classic show have made me ore creative, strong, and I’ve gained a new sense of myself. I do not regret the time I spent on my project since has helped me figure out which career I want to go into. Overall, I am thankful for the experience of the Senior oject, regardless of whether the experience was completed. What I have taken away from this virus and what has done to everyone is that life is not easy or always fun, but when it gets hard you need to buckle down and ace yourself because you will get through it. I did not get the chance to educate (many) John Carroll students bout African culture and traditions. I am very grateful for the few classes that did get the chance to see my enior Project. I loved the idea of giving seniors a project to work on independently and letting students decide hat they want to work on based on their interests. This Senior Project has been an amazing experience for

e, and even though my senior year has been cut short, I have learned from Ben Paepcke (he broke his pine at C5 and suffered a major spinal cord injury) to adapt and take on life’s challenges with every swing, on’t take advantage of any moment you have, and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. It was unfortunate that this ar’s projects were canceled, but the project should continue to serve as a teaching opportunity for future

Senior Project 2020 In keeping with the tenets of The John Carroll School Mission Statement and institutional philosophy, the Senior Project seeks to: •

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provide a year-long, in-depth educational opportunity for the members of each graduating class, provide a venue for critical thinking, independent expression, personal responsibility, individual and educational growth, empower each senior to explore a passion, to stretch as a learner, and to foster the ability to design and execute independent choices, encourage seniors to strive for excellence and a sense of a job done well rather than to settle for mediocrity in any endeavor they pursue, serve as a synthesis of the educational opportunities to which students have been exposed and solidify a desire to be lifelong learners who possess a sense of community and global awareness as well as a heightened sense of self-confidence and worth.

Kaitlyn Arrington

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Caleb Atabong

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY

I believe that Senior Project is a great opportunity for seniors to pursue something they are passionate about and get out of their comfort zones.

Through this project, you can learn a lot about yourself and I think that it can be really beneficial. I learned that if I want to get somewhere, I have to be persistent.

I have learned a lot about my character and my honest desire to help kids and teens who are in the same position I was in and who want to better or maximize their potential.

I never realized that I was doing something as important as giving back; it was just something I always watched my family do within our community and church family.

Ian Baier

Gabrielle Baikauskas

TOWSON UNIVERSITY I feel like the hard work that my fellow seniors and I put into our projects will never be fully recognized simply because we were never able to present our projects to the evaluators or get that call from Mrs. Géczy the night of our final presentation. If we were able to do this, we would maybe feel the relief of completing something that we were proud of and took pride in doing.

FURMAN UNIVERSITY I looked down at the patient on the operating table…watching a knee surgery being performed right before my eyes. The COVID-19 pandemic has taught me that teamwork and unity are a necessity. They call the group of doctors and nurses in an OR a surgery team. I am hopeful and determined to be a part of one some day.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Emma Balint

UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON

AJ Ballinger

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

My heart hurts for our class, but that doesn’t take away from all the amazing experiences I’ve had at John Carroll. I’ve made so many wonderful friendships, been taught by outstanding teachers and have had so many opportunities to grow academically, spiritually and emotionally. COVID-19 did nothing but grow the love that I have for my school even further.

My original goal for the project was to try something that I have always enjoyed but not necessarily my strength. I decided to make an arcade machine that would mesh my love for games, both electronic and board, with a desire to expand my woodworking abilities. I was almost halfway done when we were put into isolation and am disappointed how this year ended.

David Baranoski

Jacob Barrett

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY My time at John Carroll was phenomenal. It’s such a shame to see how it had come to an end with an epidemic.Just when I felt we were really becoming close as a class, we were torn apart and stuck at home. If we had only known that we would not be seeing each other for the last time, we would not have wasted a moment of it.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK For years, the Senior Project has been a unique feature of The John Carroll School that has enabled and inspired students to use their final year of high school to enrich themselves in a personalized way through experience, hard work, and self-reflection. Just because our Senior Projects will not be completed, doesn’t mean that the time we spent working on them was for nothing.

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Dominic Berndt

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

It is so crazy how fast you can lose something that you would have never imagined could disappear. What I have learned through this whole process is that I should try things I may not like at first. I never thought I would actually want to do a Senior Project; however, I’ve learned to appreciate things more, because losing things I want without expecting it hurts.

Jamison Blondell

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I have learned that the John Carroll community is one of, if not the best, high school community that there is.

What I have learned throughout my senior year is that if you are struggling with anything, it is only going to get worse if you don’t ask for help or seek out advice. It doesn’t make you weaker to ask for help; it makes you stronger.

Nick Boccia

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

I realize how much I really enjoyed helping others who are in need…I was so excited and happy to go to Honduras before I realized I could not go. So, even though Senior Project was cancelled and altered my project in a major way, I feel as if I am taking tons away from this experience and learned a lot about myself as a person.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Spencer Bredesen

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

I am extremely disappointed that every senior who had something meaningful to him/her now cannot pursue this passion or love. Senior Project gave everyone a chance to do something great, an end goal, like going out with a bang. Senior Project was a way to leave our mark on this community and provide a special memory before our next chapter.

Ray Bricker

MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART

I plan on majoring in animation. But doing this project helped me decide on something I have been teetering on, and that is also having a minor in Illustration. So, overall, I would say that while my Senior Project, on paper, was a complete failure, it was more of a success in my eyes and serves as the foundation on which I hope to build my illustrative career.

Jada Bright

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND

This was going to be the highlight of my senior year. It was about putting myself in someone else’s shoes who is less fortunate than I am. Not only was this going to be a learning experience, it was going to be lifechanging. I knew staying home was the best option for my health and others, but I didn’t want things to end this way.

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Austin Brinkman

Ellie Bruggeman

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

URSINUS COLLEGE

Even though I was not able to present and finish my project in its totality, I believe that it taught me some things about myself and what I like to do.

One thing that I can take away from this whole experience is that passing on information, even in the slightest of ways, can help another person significantly.

March 13, 2020. I had a meeting with Mr. Scholl on this day to discuss the pamphlet that would also be on display with my medallion. This would also be the last day of my senior year. When Senior Project was cancelled, I knew I still wanted to complete mine. I was able to complete the medallion, all thanks to Mr. Scholl.

Bella Buontempo

Mert Buyukkose

TOWSON UNIVERSITY Even though Senior Project was cut short, I will admit I had a fun time doing this project. I am very happy with how John Carroll handled the situation and even though I’m sad about not being able to present, I’m happy that I was able to at least start my project and learn some interesting things in the process.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY My Senior Project was teaching the community around me about my home country, Turkey. I wanted to do this as my project because it is something I deeply care about. People around me did not know much about my country, and the problem with the ones who did was that they were educated badly by the media. I thought, why not teach them myself?

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Abigail Carson

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Ryleigh Casserly

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, HUNTSVILLE

I feel that my Senior Project most definitely solidified that I want to pursue music in some fashion, and the lesson that I learned is that pursuing a passion or dream might not always be done in the way we think. It’s the exploration of that dream and everything involved that makes the greatest difference.

I am very proud of my reaction to this process. With each new challenge thrown my way, I stayed calm, composed, and always did my best to adjust accordingly without complaints. I am proud of myself because of this. I think that this journey has impacted me in a way I could have never experienced in any other scenario.

Brad Catterton

Wentao (Tommy) Chen

THE POLICE ACADEMY For my Senior Project, I was going to make a John Carroll Monopoly game.

I was looking forward to presenting it and seeing other people’s opinions and thoughts on it. If I had finished it, I could look back and say to myself, “Well, you really did it, and I’m proud of you.”

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY I still gained a lot from this whole experience…I established valuable partnerships and friendships with my wonderful classmates and faculty members. Sometimes the result isn’t the most important; moreover, it is each defining moment on the journey that shapes and transforms a person.

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Michael Chipi

MOUNT ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY

The Senior Project offered at John Carroll School is, in my opinion, a pristine opportunity for the oldest students of the community to share their stories in the best way that reflects them as individuals. I saw this as a chance to finally teach the school community about my home country, Kenya. ​​

Nia Christopher During the process of completing my Senior Project, I learned a lot about myself that I will carry into my future.

I learned that when I do things early and not wait until the last minute, there is way less stress involved. I also learned that when I focus on a topic that means something to me, I become more creative.

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Vincent Civiletti

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

After this whole senior year is done and I'm off to the real world, I would like to employ some people so that they may actually create a professional design, so that my dream can really come to fruition.

Right now, my goal is complete. I wanted to build a portable desktop that was upgradable and customizable.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Braden Clark The biggest takeaway from my senior year is to not stress about things and go with the flow. Stressing about anything will only make it worse; the best thing to do is to take action or ask for help!

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

Gabby Clough

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

My take-away (this year) is to be grateful for everything, no matter the size. I learned through the ending of this chapter in my life, how quickly things can change. I also learned through the chapters of my project and those of my life, that everything happens for a reason: to teach you, strengthen you or create you. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Blake Connelly

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

At the beginning of this year, I was really excited to have the chance to do a Senior Project that everyone would applaud. In the end, I have learned some keys takeaways from this. Everything can be taken away from you in an instant, and anything can change no matter how well you feel that things are going.

Senior Project 2020

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John DeSoto

Mark Dent

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON COLLEGE

I learned some life-long lessons/ values from developing my Senior Project. I learned what it takes to truly make and organize a public event. More importantly, I learned about human characteristics and how we can make change in a good way.

Senior Project taught me how to overcome adversity and how important it is to get stuff done.

Senior Project is a massive component to the way the senior class graduates. Ever since I enrolled at JC, I had always been interested in the project and always thought of all the possibilities that I could pursue to fulfill this graduation requirement.

Thankfully, I am still able to complete my project by writing my book.

If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart, if someone’s burden was lighter because you did your part, if you caused a laugh that chased some tears away, if tonight your name is named when someone kneels to pray, then your day has been well spent.

– Unknown –

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Miranda Dillon

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Michael DiRocco

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

I learned a couple things about myself because of my Senior Project.

I’m growing up and will soon be doing things independently all the time. I want to be like those business-people who stood in front of me and talked about all of their achievements.

Another thing that I learned was that those people did not get where they were because they were lucky; it was because they were determined.

I was distraught to learn of the cancellation of our Senior Projects.

Not because I wanted to be recognized for my hard work, but because it was my chance to prove myself. All of my life, when the going got tough, I turned to someone to do it for me instead of learning and adapting. With a deadline and interview in my future, I felt driven to finish my project and do it the best I could.

Jules Donnelly I viewed Senior Project as a way for me to accomplish something I have always wished to do but never had the right structure to help me complete. Senior Project is a way for all of us to do what God created us to do and to have a purpose in our lives.

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY

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Lilly Doud

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Ryan Drager

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Not only has my project impacted me, but watching my friends and peers create projects so meaningful to them as well has been amazing.

Although the pandemic has caused the senior class to lose many important events and miss out on incredible memories, it is important we remember the amazing memories we have already made together and use those to carry us through these times.

I learned so many lessons and gained a ton of experience from Senior Project this year. Even though the project got cancelled, my work will not go to waste, and all the experience that I got from spending time on this project will be extremely useful in later projects that I decide to do down the road.

Jake Earl

Abigail Earnest

FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY I had gone throughout my senior year being completely ready for the year to end. But now my year has truly ended, and it was not at all in the way that I had imagined. So, going forward in my life, I want to make sure I take nothing else for granted and try to live in the moment.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY I think that I took out of the Senior Project how important it is to just trust the process of life. Having my friends and family through this process was truly a blessing‌I absolutely 100% could not have gotten through this process without Mr. Hollin. I literally aspire to be as amazing of a person as he is one day.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Micah Ensor

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Madison Evering

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

The experience of undergoing a pandemic during what are the most important days of Senior Project left many takeaways for me, one of which was the fact that I am not always in control of what happens in my life.

One thing I am always able to control is how I react, and that is what will make the difference in the future.

I am very sad to see Senior Project cancelled because of Covid-19. Since my freshman year, I have thought about my Senior Project. Overall, what I have learned after having Senior Project cancelled, many things getting pushed around and having March 13th as my last day of school, is to never take things for granted, to wish things away or want more.

Evan Exter

Matthew Fabiszak

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY When I received the email that we were dropping Senior Project, my heart completely sunk in my chest.

Every Patriot who has gone through Senior Project at John Carroll has been able to say that they were proud of it; however, not for me or my class.

I felt cheated out of a rite of passage from John Carroll.

SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY Senior Project was meant to be a grand accomplishment for all students, but it was taken away from us. I feel badly for myself and my fellow seniors because we all put in time and effort towards our projects, and we were not able to see them come to fruition. It’s sad because I know that many of us had high hopes for our projects, and many of us based them off of personal experiences.

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Sean Fasano

DELGADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Most of the schools around the world judge and grade based on the subjects the school requires, without letting kids really show themselves and prove what they can truly do. I’ve been in five different high schools, and this is the first time I’ve been part of a school that gives students the opportunity to show their passion, create something of their own, and (give students) the freedom of doing something mediocre or something incredible. ​

Colby Ferguson

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I would have gotten a jump on my future and given myself more opportunities to learn about possible career options. The main lesson that I will take away from this (Senior Project) experience is that things can be taken away from you at the blink of an eye. You need to cherish the things you have and adapt to new situations as they come.

Claire Fieden I think that Senior Project is a great way to prepare us for presenting in front of people, and I definitely will take with me the advice and pointers that I have learned in Senior Project as I head off to college and the real world.

YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Bryn Fitzkee I am definitely deeply saddened and disappointed by what happened to the last half of senior year and the Senior Project process because of the COVID-19 outbreak. I wish it had never happened! I was very excited to have a life-changing experience in Honduras and to be able to tell stories about that for the rest of my life.

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Megan Foulk

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

I wish I could have heard and seen all the things my fellow classmates worked on throughout the year. From the few projects I did hear about, I was amazed and honestly proud of a lot of my friends. They put so much effort and passion into things for which I wasn’t even fully aware that they cared. I am also sad I could not complete my Senior Project.

David Fuller This was not the senior year I was expecting, and it is devastating to know that I will not have a senior prom or maybe even an in-person graduation.

This broke my heart for all the memories that were stripped from us. Although times are not the best right now, everything happens for a reason, and God has a plan for every single one of us.

BROWARD COLLEGE

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Jessica Glenn

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

Lukas Goble

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY

I have prospered from this experience and no one can ever take away what I have learned and how much I have grown as a young adult. I am so thankful towards Dr. Jordan for teaching me the ins and outs of the dental world and for taking me under his wing.

Have you ever wanted to make your own song or sheet music and get it published? When I was little, I always wanted to write my own music and sheet music. Now that I got to pick my own Senior Project, I knew that I would make my own songs.

Alec Gossman

Gavin Greene

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY A project to do all by myself? The freedom of this proposition sounded amazing, and the chance to learn about something of my choice was even more exciting. When I became increasingly involved in the John Carroll equestrian team, I knew I had discovered my passion and that my Senior Project would inevitably involve the animals with whom I had fallen in love.

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE I feel that the Senior Project process was an eventful class that ended too soon. I am emotional that it ended so soon, but I know that God has a path for everyone and everything. I’m thankful for the time I’ve had being isolated because I’ve learned that I can do things on my own as well as many other things.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Kate Gromacki

Nick Gromacki

WASHINGTON COLLEGE

JUNIATA COLLEGE

Since all of my siblings and I have gone through JC, I had a clear picture of just how impactful a Senior Project could be, if done well.

My goal through Senior Project was to give back to the JC community for all of the good that it has done for my family.

Whilst I am disappointed and mad that we can’t go through with the projects, I completely understand and encourage what has happened. It makes total sense and was the right call, in my opinion. So, we have to make the best of what we have. The right call was made, and we have to focus on other things to keep people and those we love safe.

Charles Hafer

Sara Hammons

WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE I did most of my work in the fall and winter but was also planning to coach baseball in the spring as well as the summer. Senior Project was such a great learning experience for me, and I enjoyed it very much. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do it. It taught me so much about myself and how to be a leader, and for that I am very grateful.

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE I think this whole experience has taught me a lot. I learned that when things don’t go the way you plan, we can make the best of what we have. I learned that I should open up to more experiences and not limit myself to only what I know.

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Tyler Harmison What I learned about COVID-19 is some things are out of my control.

COVID-19 changed my entire senior year over its head, and it threatens my freshman year in college. And the worst thing is, I can't do anything about it.

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Courtney Hartman

HOOD COLLEGE

I am writing the John Carroll fight song. I am choosing to finish my Senior Project because it is something I truly enjoy. Music is something I am very passionate about. I was afraid to do this project because I was afraid I would lose that passion. I worried it would begin to feel more like work and less like fun, but it caused my passion for music to grow.

Alex Hau

ALLEGHENY COLLEGE

My Senior Project was to create something. I created, edited and produced a podcast for JC. I was just getting into the rhythm of it and had produced my first episode, when COVID-19 was announced. People still weren’t sure whether or not school was going to be cancelled, so I didn’t worry too much. Looking back on it, I wished I had done more with the time I still had.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Jared Hawkins

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

I took $1,000 of the money I had made working a summer job and invested it in the stock market. I feel like without COVID-19 completely messing up the stock market and causing shoe releases to be delayed, I could’ve done more with my project.

I think the virus definitely altered the whole process in general and specifically my Senior Project.

Sam Hogue

WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE

I think Senior Project is one of the most beneficial traditions/classes at John Carroll. Senior Project teaches us time management, responsibility and overall how to be a better person. For my Senior Project, Evan Exter, Sean Fasano and I were going to host a baseball camp for the Boys and Girls Club of America. ​

Leo Hojnowski

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY

I worked with my dad to design and build an epoxy resin table with a live edge dark walnut wood. Now that the project is finished, I can proudly say that I have accomplished my goal of creating the greatest role-playing game table I have ever seen. I cannot wait to play a game on it as soon as the outbreak has come to an end.

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“It’s the little things that mean the most… kindness really does matter-you should always be yourself, do what you love, & try to make the world a better place.”

– Unknown –

Blake Hollandsworth

YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA I do believe that the Senior Project has the potential to bring ideas to life. It can let people have a voice to show others about what they can accomplish. What has happened to the Senior Project is undoubtedly a shame. I have heard stories of people having amazing things that they were going to finish for their Senior Projects.

Caroline Hopkins

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY This break and isolation have given me a very long and needed time to think about a lot of things. I have been feeling very upset with the world, and it feels like my heart is breaking from all of the things COVID-19 took away from my class. I have discovered that everything in life is temporary. It has molded me into a new person who is now grateful for just life in general.

The John Carroll School

JOHNCARROLL.ORG

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Mackenzie Hopkins I am glad that I chose to finalize my video (of JC history) because doing so gives me a sense of closure with Senior Project. This yearlong experience has taught me to take as much time as needed to get any job done; I do not give up.

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Katie Hormes

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Through this process, I have learned that I am a hard worker who likes to get things done as soon as they are assigned to me. I like to stay on top of things and always try to be ahead of the game, instead of waiting until last minute to complete something. I plan to take life day-by-day, as I now realize that life can be interrupted and put on hold at any given moment.

Gabe Howard

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Although my Senior Project was never able to reach its full potential, I did learn valuable lessons along the way.

I am extremely upset that I was not able to carry out my Senior Project.

I believe that my project would have gone beyond baseball and established an extremely strong bond between current and former players, as well as being able to connect them like never before.

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Lei (Leen) Huang

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

James Hughes

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Senior year is going to end. I am sure that it is not a perfect end for seniors this year, but it must be a most special and unforgettable one.

After many years, we may make jokes about our senior year when we quarantined at home. We should be saying good-bye to our friends.

One thing that I learned about myself is that if I set a hard goal for myself and really push myself to make time for a project, I will complete it. A lesson that I will take away is that I (and others) have the capability to do things I did not think I could do.

Kristen Ingold

Emma Ingrassia

SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY This process has helped me to show that when I am doing an assignment or project, whether big or small, it is always best to try to plan out my work ahead of time and make sure I get things completed and turned in on time. Taking this into consideration, I am sure it will save me a lot of unwanted stress with schoolwork in college in the future.

Georgia, from the JC class of 2019, posted her Senior Project video that was titled, “Our Unforgettable Year.�

It was shared on social media by many of my friends, so I decided to watch it. I thought that it was amazing that they would forever have a video that captured their senior year.

I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do for my project as well.

The John Carroll School

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Jared Jefferson

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Yuwen (Leah) Jia

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, SEATTLE

The emotions a young man experiences as he sits around a fire with 12 of his classmates and a teacher he truly looks up to are something special.

This trip taught me that camping is far less about where you go and what you do, but rather what kind of impact you allow the experience to have on yourself. The trip taught me that I loved camping.

I think this project gives us a chance to pursue our passions outside of the classroom. Also, in the process, we are motivated to try to do something we have always wanted to do but never achieved, such as opening an art exhibition or participating in charity.

Cole Jones

Angela Kahoe

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

MCDANIEL COLLEGE Not everything you work hard on will turn out how you thought it would.

Overall Senior Project was a good experience and even though I never got to actually do my project, I learned a lot about myself. Hopefully, I will get to do a hike of the Appalachian Trail in the future and maybe even create my walking stick.

So, here I am in a world on pause and too many regrets I cannot make up for. This project is and forever will be a piece of me. A piece I can hopefully share one day soon. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have had and the people who have touched me along the way. This is not stopping me; it is only a delay. ​​

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Will Kaiser

VIRGINIA TECH

This year there were lots of exciting things to look forward to that COVID-19 took away. I was pretty sad about losing the camping trip. I felt like finishing my Senior Project would’ve taught me more about what type of engineering I want to pursue.

This disease may have ended our year short, but it won’t make us give up on trying to celebrate it.

Helen Kennedy-Butler

VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

I am truly upset about COVID-19 affecting my Senior Project. This was something I was really looking forward to, and I was really enjoying my experiences working on the project.

I wanted to be able to learn but also teach people what I learned about ocean clean-up and how important it is to keep our earth clean.

Shane Kidwell Rather than be upset, I feel lucky for the time I did have during senior year and all of high school. I think everyone should have that same mindset, especially the seniors who got to do most of their projects. Just be glad you got to do it at the end of the day.

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

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Sang June (Justin) Kim

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

As an art student, I decided to portray my passion for art through creating an art project regarding the diversity of John Carroll's international students. I believed creating pen drawings of different urban landscapes, which represent John Carroll’s international students’ home countries, would be a proper way to spread cultures through art.

Anna King I feel that I accomplished my goal for Senior Project, which was to have more of an understanding of what I would like to do for my future. Talking to people from all different forensicsrelated professions has helped immensely to shape my future.

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Morgan Kirby

RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE

The take-aways that I have gained from this process and how my senior year is ending are numerous.

For instance, never take anything for granted because you never know what is going to happen. I also learned that I need to expect the unexpected and always have a contingency plan. Always try and remain positive, regardless of the circumstances that you may face.

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Madison Kozera

SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE

Luke Labanowski

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

I can safely say, though nothing turned out the way anyone hoped, I’m excited to move forward and keep looking ahead, and I’m ready to see where my writing will take me. I can only hope that in the future I can be the author I’ve always dreamed to be with the help of my new knowledge and skills.

Senior Project is a building block for our future in which we can be set-up for success by using our mentorships and activities in the real world to help pursue the perfect employment opportunity. The decision to cancel Senior Project is the right move due to current students' situations during this crisis.

Sing Lau

Dung (Jenna) Le

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO Senior Project is a great program set up by The John Carroll School. It allows students to explore our interests in a way that we have not experienced before. My project not only relates to my career path of getting involved in the medical field, but it also broadens my knowledge of alternative medicine. I have the urge to spread what I know and have researched about holistic medicine.

RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE Although the Senior Project was canceled and my senior this year was not as full as expected, I still find myself learning a lot. I have discovered many things I can do by myself.

I used to be very worried about creating an English baking book by myself. But day-by-day, after I finished the book and looked at my achievement, I told myself that in this world nothing is impossible.

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Tyler Leach

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

Changsoo (Tony) Lee

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

On March 2, 2017, the John Carroll community lost Josh Hamer. This is why Senior Project really means a lot to me. It was the Third Annual Josh Hamer Memorial Tournament and the last John Carroll class to have had the opportunity to go to school with Josh. Luckily, the tournament had already been completed, but unfortunately, we had to cancel the Josh Hamer Memorial Buddy Game.

Senior Project allowed me to do things I have never done before. It was a great opportunity that I could experience, because I was a John Carroll student. Regardless of the unexpected way of ending, the Senior Project was a challenge for me. I am glad that I was able to finish a portion of it and thank all the teachers who helped me.

Jenna Leitner

Haoyang (Michael) Li

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE I’m sad for all of the seniors who have looked at the senior project as a milestone, a passage. It was one of the things that made John Carroll stand out. The seniors talked about it, planned for, anticipated it, and some dreaded it. It kind of exposed a little piece of each of us. The Senior Project was a reflection of who we are, what we love and what makes us.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO For the past four years, my host family has supported me like my real family would have. I am very grateful for everything they offered, both in physical and mental support. Last, but not the least, John Carroll is now part of my memory. It has bitter parts, but I will always be proud to say that I am a Patriot.

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Vondalyn Lidie

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Senior Project has taught me a lot, especially when it comes to communication. In the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I began searching for an internship or job shadowing program that had to do with my major. Even though Senior Project is no longer happening, I think I still got all of the lessons out of it that I was supposed to.

Alexis Loder

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Back in the fall when we were just beginning the process of Senior Project, I decided to focus on neuroscience which is my intended major. I was able to clearly define a project that would explore different aspects of this career as well as provide an outlet for my own research. I was looking forward to presenting it, but I know that true value in my project is what I have learned about my future career.

Helen Lortie I think I have gained many lessons through volunteering with the Baltimore Saints, not least among them, a perspective about life as a whole.

While most definitely a clichĂŠ, interacting with these children who are so positive and kind and so willing to persevere made me reevaluate my few obstacles and how I handle them.

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Zhiqian (Orson) Luo

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Senior Project is something that I’m really glad that I got to do. It taught me a lot of things, and I greatly benefited from the process. I made a lot of friends in school during the making of my project. It is a bummer that we cannot end high school the way that we anticipated, but we ended our senior year the way no one has experienced before; this made us special.

Grant MacIver

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

I decided to create a small book/ pamphlet on the basics of fishing and helping young kids interested in fishing who have no knowledge get started. This (pamphlet) could be for children and parents to help guide them both in what to look for when it comes to tackle and equipment. My goal was to complete this book and test it with local kids at local elementary schools.

Derek Maggio

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

The way that senior year concluded doesn’t surprise me because that’s exactly how life is: unpredictable.

Nevertheless, I’ve learned a lesson from this unprecedented time in history, which is: it’s important to maintain a productive and positive mindset no matter the circumstances to ensure a person’s ability to be successful and a public steward to the world.

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Diane McComas

MOORE COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN This simple story book has forever changed my life, given me the ability to see what I want to do with my life, helped me grow as a person and given me the strength to do what I hope all my readers do as well surround themselves with people who fill them with joy and love. That is what my book is really all about.

Garrett McNulty

UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG I think the various programs that John Carroll has in place that lead up to graduation are important parts of the experience of being a Patriot senior.

Looking at this situation and how it has had global impact makes the last few weeks of senior year seem small in comparison. But to me, and to the rest of the class of 2020, it is something we have worked towards since kindergarten and definitely seems extremely impactful to us.

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Bryce Meads Senior Project is a class where you do something that affects you or the community, or even both for the greater good. Your project can help you grow and mature from becoming a high school student to a college student. It helps you find your purpose and passions; it also helps you get in touch with the community.

JUNIATA COLLEGE

Cameron Mezzatesta

CABRINI UNIVERSITY

I feel bad about how our class has been affected by the timing of this virus. We have worked basically all year towards the Senior Showcase and presentations of our projects. Hearing what all of my friends were doing got me really excited to see the end results. If this had to happen with the COVID-19, I wish it would have hit in June so that we could finish the projects and feel like the hard work paid off.

Kyle Mikulcik

WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

I wanted to do a Senior Project that I could remember for the rest of my life. I wanted to take everything I loved about golf and everything I loved about filming into one video. My entire life I have been playing golf and using a camera. The Senior Project gave me a wonderful opportunity to do something I loved.

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class of

2020

Nothing can dim the light which shines from within. – Maya Angelou –

Alumni Thoughts for the Class of 2020

8 Eighteen years ago, when I applied for a position at John Carroll, what immediately impressed me the most was the sense of community, of family that permeated the school. This has proven to be true again and again, and perhaps never more so than for the Class of 2020.

Like any family we are dysfunctional at times; we irritate, confuse, or ignore each other, but we also uplift, support, and care for each other.

We are one.

Then perhaps, this is what I want you to realize and remember, even though your senior year and the excitement and special moments that are ingrained into the last half of senior year and Senior Project have not unfolded the way we all anticipated.

So, I contacted alumni who have completed Senior Projects since we started the program in 2009 and asked if they would share messages of inspiration and what it meant to be a Patriot. Their responses have touched my heart. I hope they uplift you, Class of 2020, and remind you of why life is good. – lbg –

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2009 Sam von Paris I'm sure none of you expected your senior year at JC to look like this. In life, you will experience lots of ups and downs and it is how you respond to the low points that show what kind of person you are. You have all learned so much in the last four years and have grown to be great PATRIOTS. Dig deep and unite. You will get through the darkness together and your futures will be bright. Congratulations!

Serena (Buontempo) von Paris While your time at JC might not be ending as anyone had expected, you will go down in history for handling these unprecedented times with such maturity, class, and creativity. You are each leaving behind a legacy that no other class could ever repeat and joining an alumni community that is truly here for you. As you enter into this new chapter, know that you have been equipped with the tools necessary to achieve anything you set your minds to. This pandemic cannot take away your ambitions. You are Patriots, and the world NEEDS you now more than ever. Congratulations!

2010 Maggie (Vierheller) Hurd To the Class of 2020: When I think back on my senior year, I look back with great fondness. It breaks my heart to know that you were all robbed of the typical traditions like prom, a last game or performance, and graduation, and of the JC-specific traditions like Senior Project and the Holocaust Remembrance activities. If only we had 2020 vision. Take courage and remember the memories that you were able to make and take pride in knowing that you are and always will be a Patriot.

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2011 Conor DeVoe Being a Patriot has always been something I take great pride in. I was instilled with traits that I have carried with me ever since leaving John Carroll. I was taught to take ownership in my accomplishments and in the work that I can do for others as well. Work ethic is something valued by our school and is a value I try every day to uphold, but above all else, I was surrounded by people who uplifted me and to this day remain some of my dearest friends. Being a Patriot does not end once you walk across that stage and get your diploma; it extends far beyond that. You will meet fellow Patriots in the years to come and you can share in the fact that you all have a special bond and can relate to one another in a way other people may not be able to.

Chelsea Shock There is so much to reflect on as high school comes to an end. I hope that you will forever be proud of being a Patriot. Senior Project was my favorite experience while attending John Carroll. Senior Project opened my eyes to so many things! Through this experience, I was able to determine that I wanted to be a nurse. I am now a nurse in a pediatric emergency room and in graduate school for my doctorate as a nurse practitioner. Although you are unable to completely experience all of the wonderful things of Senior Project, I challenge you to reflect on what you have done thus far. I want you to feel honored to have been part of such an incredible program, and I hope it impacts your life as much as it did mine. Always be proud of being a Patriot and go do big things in the world!

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2012 Jonathan Galarraga While words cannot fully describe the effects COVID19 has had on your senior year, I hope all of you know that you are not facing these challenges alone. As Patriots for life, you will always have the support of your JC family. Fortunately, the experiences and lessons you have gained from your time at JC are indelible and will transcend these challenging times.

Your class will always be remembered for its tenacity and strength. I hope that you all continue to take care of one another and allow God to use whatever adversity you may face as an opportunity to grow. Although the time has come for each of you to begin your own respective pursuits, always keep faith in the notion that together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Thank you for embodying the true virtues of a Patriot through your uncompromising compassion and enthusiasm to serve. God Bless.

Sara Turks While today's world is currently filled with many unknowns, one thing many of you may not realize is you have an opportunity to make an impact on the world. World events often have the biggest impact on students; for those of us who were students during 9/11, it shaped not only us but the future. 9/11 inspired many young students to become doctors, nurses, firefighters, engineers, computer scientists, and members of the United States military. Years later, these are the same people you currently see on the front lines taking care of sick patients, developing vaccines, expanding supply chain production of medical grade masks, engineering new ways to make ventilators, and keeping our nation's people safe. Your senior year may not be ending the way you envisioned it, but this is just a small speed bump in your long road of life. I encourage you to take this time to reflect on what is happening in the world and how you want to make an impact.

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2013 Morgan Jones It is unfortunate that seniors could not experience a normal conclusion to their journey at John Carroll. It is unfair and heartbreaking and I can only imagine the disappointment it has caused. While I am not a senior in high school, I am facing something similar with graduate school life. My graduation will not occur normally as well, and many traditional activities are put on hold. The reflection I wrote came after a conversation with my Ph.D. advisor…We talked about alternatives and eventually, I came up with an absolutely ridiculous idea that the professor said was crazy enough to work…I have found a strong sense of peace accepting that in times of uncertainty where everything is thrown out the window, the impossible is left to explore and creativity really gets to come into play…I get to prove my worth and success by being able to adapt and change traditional methods.

Christian Owona I was an international student at John Carroll. I want to give you some words of encouragement during this hard time…I encourage you to be optimistic during this time. Be thankful for the time you had at John Carroll and the student-teacher relationships you have had the opportunity to build over the last four years. Be thankful for the technology that enables us to keep in close contact with our friends and teachers. Be thankful that you have this extra time to spend with your family before going off to college. Meanwhile, take this time to reminisce and acknowledge your accomplishments. Do not allow this time to negate all of your hard work. This experience gives you an amazing opportunity to utilize the values and morals that John Carroll has taught all of us: be kind to one another, help out where you can, and persevere. But most importantly, keep your faith. Through God and through each other we will come out of this stronger than ever.

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Mike Owona I graduated from JC in 2013 and still remember it like it was yesterday. In these uncertain times, we have to look after one another and be the best people we possibly can. For all seniors, there’s so much to look forward to after high school as each of you will follow unique paths. The journey ahead might seem blurry, but I can tell you that your best years are still ahead of you. Follow your dreams, make decisions for the future, work on your priorities and take advantage of every opportunity along this beautiful journey. Remember adversity doesn't last and over time it becomes life lessons that you will be able to look back on and use as blessings.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020, GO JC!

2014 Bethany Boniface As the years go by and new challenges arise, a foundation that stays true to me is the time I spent at JC. Everywhere I go I find a connection to this school and community. Make those connections, cherish them, and carry them with you. High school may not be the time you truly find yourself, but it provides the building block to achieve your highest capacity. I strive to be the best that I can be and I thank JC for sparking that passion within me.

Xiaozhou (William) Du Let curiosity become the driving initiative in your life. Try different things; try something new; try something that makes your heart race; try something that will make a positive impact on someone’s life; try something that no one has thought of or dreamed about before. There are many things that may distract you along the way. There will be challenges, sadness, or even desperation, but don’t let any of these stop you from moving forward. If you let curiosity drive your passion, you will find and reach your goal eventually.

Of course, you can’t do this alone. Be kind to each other and find someone you can trust. With their company, you can make this journey more enjoyable. Be creative, be passionate, and be bold; that’s the Patriot spirit.

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Amanda (Sunny) Lu May you have the courage to keep your eyes on the sky and the persistence to keep your feet on the earth; have the wisdom to distinguish two important things, which are to change what you are able to and to embrace what you can't change in life. Keep learning, be humble, stay openminded and focused so you can get closer and closer to your goals and dreams and learn to be grateful in your everyday life!

2015 Emily Kern This year has been anything but your ordinary senior year, and I’m sure many of you are disappointed and heartbroken over your senior activities being cancelled. In these uncertain times, I’ve tried to put myself in your shoes, and I truly cannot imagine experiencing what you’re going through. It’s hard to say what the future holds, but I know that you are all strong enough to handle it.

You will get through this. Don’t let the idea of what hasn’t happened shape your senior year. Hold tightly to the positive memories you did get to make while at John Carroll, and don’t take your time spent here for granted. It’s been a crazy year, but you will emerge from this more knowledgeable and stronger than before. Best wishes to you, Class of 2020!

Ryan Sheehan Congratulations on successfully pulling off the longest senior skip day in the school’s history; it is truly an accomplishment to be proud of…On a serious note, I would like to say congratulations on graduating; I know it was not easy and you were challenged along the way. It's not the ideal situation to have to finish your senior year at home, but take this time to better yourself and prepare for the next stages of life…Graduating from a smaller, close knit school like JC has its challenges, and becoming so comfortable in an environment like that can make transitioning to something completely unknown difficult. However, you will come to realize that from being uncomfortable and embracing situations you are unfamiliar with, you will grow. Take chances during these next four years and embrace

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every failure, learn from them, remember them, so you don’t repeat them but don’t dwell on them…Remember where you want to go. To get there you will have to sacrifice, just like you had to do to be graduating now. You will always know at the end of the day if you really did everything you can to succeed, so don’t have any regrets. The last thing I want to leave you all with is keep your faith. In the uncertainty that is life, your faith will always keep you grounded…Keep faith and believe that God loves you; the JC community loves you and whatever you will need we are here.

Rawlison Zhang This was not how any of us expected your senior year to unfold. As a graduating college senior myself, living through these unprecedented times that connect us around the world, I feel your sorrow, anger, pain, and grief for the opportunities lost. Trust us when we say this too shall pass. However, it is indubitable that the great Class of 2020 will be forever engraved in our minds through your classmates and teammates, their smiles and laughter, and all the experiences you all have shared over your past four years as a John Carroll Patriot. Reach out to friends and family to rewind and replay the joyous memories so that you can reflect on the new memories you all hope to make as we dare venture into this brave new world (also, Google some Winnie-the-Pooh quotes). It is our connections and shared experiences that make us human and great.

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2016 Parker Day The memories you have made as a Patriot do not end during this time the world seems as if it is on pause. The people you have met and the experiences you have made cannot be taken away by just a couple of months. Please know that what you have done at John Carroll and the relationships you have made will last longer than you know. As a senior in college who is also feeling the pain of having my last year being, what it feels like, taken away- please know that I can imagine what it feels like to be in your shoes. But during this time of uncertainty, the people who have stayed consistently by my side are from the relationships I made at John Carroll and nothing can take away from that and it won’t for you either. You have so many exciting things ahead of you, and while you may feel like you are being rushed to close a chapter of your life that you may not be ready to close, just know the pages don’t burn when you move on to the next chapter. They are there forever, and there is beauty and freedom in the choice of what you want to do with those chapters. So, feel that freedom in your hearts and find strength that you have more control than you think, and you have more resources than you know all around you.

Megan Piercy I am so sorry your senior year was cut short. While you haven’t been able to celebrate your successes as planned, I can assure you the many memories you’ve created over the past four years will remain with you. It really is the little things about JC that will make you look back and smile. Despite the situation at hand, I have no doubt JC has fully prepared you to take on this and future challenges with tenacity and grace. Congratulations and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

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Alex Rasmussen Putting into words how awful I feel for you is extremely difficult. Having so many great experiences at JC taken away due to these unforeseeable circumstances is hard to bear. Although my circumstances aren’t exactly the same as yours, I can relate. I am a senior in college who has had this COVID-19 virus take away my senior week, graduation, and so many other events, similar to you. I can understand the pain and frustration many of you may be feeling. It’s hard to think about how the memories you’ve made and the people you’ve gotten close to will no longer be there on a daily basis. However, this doesn’t have to be the end of the road for you…At the end of the day, the relationships you’ve made with friends and staff members at JC will have profound effects on your life. Along with the relationships you’ve built, you also have all the memories you made throughout high school that you can hold on to forever…Whether you realize it or not, some of these memories you’ve made will have stunning impacts on your life down the road. Finally, my advice to the class of 2020 is don’t let these awful circumstances dictate what it has meant to be a Patriot…These relationships you’ve built throughout your years at JC will last a lifetime. Some may fade as time goes on, and that’s natural, but the ones you’re able to hold on to will positively impact your lives in ways that are indescribable. I guarantee it!

Lilly Stannard I was so sorry to hear that Senior Project had to be canceled this year. Despite these hard times of uncertainty, cancellations, and missing loved ones, I have found that something quite beautiful to take from all of this is a new and profound gratitude for all of the remarkable things that pass by us each day unnoticed, prompted by the unfortunate absence of them we are all feeling now. During my own senior year, I thoroughly enjoyed planning and completing my Senior Project…The older I get, the more I realize how special people don’t just go to work, but are inspired and inspire others through their work and care so deeply and passionately about all that they do and everyone that they impact through their work. The only hope I can have for my own life is to choose a path like this-one of hard work, love, drive, care, and commitment and one that truly helps people learn and change for the better from that learning and growth.

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Gabriel Webster I was not with you walking through the halls of John Carroll, but I know you.

I may have missed many games, performances or wild and beautiful memories that happened as you grew in your time as at John Carroll, but I know you. I do not know each of your names; I do not know all of your accomplishments, hardships and successes. How then can I know you?

If I know very little about you individually, how can I be expected to try to address you as a class? I know you are stronger than you know. You are passionate to no end. You do not stand down when the odds are against you. You walk head held high and nothing but your wildest dreams around each and every path you walk on. I know these things because you are Patriots. You have come so far from when I was with some of you on your freshman retreat, but what I knew then rings true more as you go out to tackle all that this world has to offer. You are Patriots. It is my extreme honor to welcome you into this new chapter of life. Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot.

2017 Sloan Meyerl I was SO accepted (at JC). Everyone made me feel important‌THAT is what it means to be a Patriot. To accept others for who they are, without judgement. To allow everyone to have a place at this school. And no matter what or where things take you, you always have a family and a second home that loves you.

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Joey Rayman As you are finishing your senior year of high school, you are starting a new chapter in your life. As a young person taking the next step to becoming an adult, things can seem overwhelming and cause you anxieties. My advice to you all as a class is do not let your fears and anxieties define you and attack them with passion and ferocity. Step outside your comfort zone; the experiences you will have when you are doing things that are not your normal day-to-day routine will be some of the most vivid and important memories you will have. Remember to laugh and have fun with your life; if you take life too seriously, you will spend most of your time worrying. Lastly, remember to keep an open heart and show kindness and respect to everyone you meet on your journey. You may never know how many lives you change, so make sure it is always for the better.

Dickson Teel For the Class of 2017, a class whose majority were transfer students, our class could nearly be called the "Class of Strangers." However, our senior year brought us closer together than I think many of us thought it would.

We shared in lamenting Senior Project; we shared in aiding and comforting each other when our Senior Projects had to be presented and our nerves were turned up to eleven; we shared our skills and talents and emotions during Senior Retreat. We shared events that the Class of 2020 will not get to experience. Your class has certainly had a different year than most, yet the world has been shown a group of young men and young women who have remained steadfast in their caring and consideration for their fellows in the face of the unknown. You are a group of individuals who have had to learn how to adapt quickly, and that is something you have done well‌ Yours is a class whose senior year will not share in the experiences of those before you, but you just might have been brought closer together than you may realize, all while having to stay six feet apart.

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2018 Olivia Collins Congratulations Class of 2020! As your senior year comes to an end, I hope you are finding time to reflect on your last few years at John Carroll. Think of the amazing friends that you made and hold onto them because they will be there to support you no matter how much distance colleges may put between you. Think of the memories at JC: the dances, games, lunch conversations, class jokes, and never forget them. Think of how JC has shaped you into the person that you are now and go into college knowing that you have a strong, well-rounded foundation for success, rooted in faith, friendship, service, and fun. Best of luck as you start this new adventure of graduating and moving on to your big, bright futures!

Jon Kaufman My senior year at JC will always be a year that I remember and was a year that went by so quickly. As you start college, remember to make the most of all the experiences that you will have because college will also go by so quickly. The experiences you have will impact you and help shape you into the person you are meant to be.

Meghan Sheehan I want to share the verse that stuck with me all through John Carroll and has stayed with me in college. "Be strong and courageous for your work will be rewarded." - 2 Chronicles 15:7. Take a second to reflect on how much your work has paid off to get you where you are now as an individual and as a class. You have all accomplished so much and you have earned every bit of success that has come to you. Now pause and imagine all of the exciting places that same dedication can and will take you in your next steps. Stay strong in your efforts and remember what you are capable of. We are all SO proud of you!

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2019 Carson Bredesen This time will go down in John Carroll history as probably the most challenging experience to ever be taken on by the faculty and students as a whole.

However, as times have gotten so tough, the students and teachers have been tougher and more determined than ever…Yes, this project is a school requirement but to most of you, it grows into something more. Whether you went out to change the lives of others, pursue a career choice which you are passionate about, or create a project which represents who you are, you were all able to personally grow and take away something which you will never forget…The relationships that you have made over the past four years will turn into some the best friends you could ever ask for. Stay in touch with one another through this quarantine process and especially through college as the people who are standing by your side right now, will be the ones who stand by your side for life. Once a Patriot, always a Patriot.

Maureen Healy The unexpected events affecting the end of your senior year have changed all previous perceptions of your future. The present uncertainty may be scary but will bring out your most powerful assets and abilities. JC graduates are well prepared for what comes to face them, and have strong values instilled in them to face these adversities. These are the qualities that make you special as John Carroll graduates. Try to live by this quote from David Bowie: “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” Many of you may be unsure as to what you want to do for the rest of your lives, especially after this confusing year, but I know that no matter what you decide, as a JC graduate your future promises to be exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling, and you’ll blow us all away. Best of luck, Class of 2020! Once a Patriot, Always a Patriot!

The John Carroll School

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Ty Schumacher I know how hard this must be for you. Events you’ve been looking forward to since freshman year seem to have been unfairly ripped away from you, but don’t let it taint your view of senior year or even high school. I came to John Carroll halfway through junior year, so I didn’t spend four years looking forward to these events. Yes, I did enjoy them, but the memories that have stuck with me the most aren’t of the events themselves. Rather, it was experiencing them with my new-found friends, teachers, and faculty. Don’t dwell on the experiences you missed out on. Focus on the amazing relationships that you have formed during your time at John Carroll.

Memories are easily forgotten, but relationships can last a lifetime. Foster these relationships; keep in touch with the people you care about; be there for each other. I promise that next year, you won’t be sitting in your college dorm room wishing you were at your senior prom again. You’ll be sitting there wishing you were in the lunchroom with your friends…You will want to be with those you care about, and those people you care about are one thing this pandemic cannot take away from you. Stay strong.

Jack Stannard Senior Project offered me an opportunity to experience one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Without it, my high school experience would not have been the same. The experience of going to another country (Honduras), and forming a whole project around that is one that I will never forget. Without Senior Project, my John Carroll experience would have been a little emptier.

Olivia Webster Although family gatherings, graduation, and parties are a great way to come together and celebrate all that you’ve accomplished, it is not needed for you to conquer the world! Being a Patriot is much more than just attending The John Carroll School. Being a Patriot is being a part of a forever growing family, always having a friend you count on, knowing you will always have a place to call home; you cannot put limits on the definition of being a Patriot.

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Kiana Miller

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Noah Milliron

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

This Senior Project journey has led me to reflect and be more real with myself than I ever have in the past. A lot of these reflections had to deal with revisiting past experiences that I’ve forced myself to push away. Coming to terms with these experiences was the hardest part and it made me very uncomfortable, but as a teacher once said to us, “When you’re uncomfortable, you’re growing.”

What I have learned about myself now that all of these things are cancelled, is that I never knew I liked Senior Project or school until it was gone. COVID-19 has cost many people their lives, so I am thankful my family and I have not had to experience that but the lost opportunities will be with me forever.

Sam Mink

Matthew Mitrega

FLAGLER COLLEGE

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY One of the hardest things for me to accept is that our high school career is going to end. It’s hard for me to accept the fact that we can’t finish high school as a united class. This is the worst way my senior year could end, but now there’s only one way to go: up. It can’t get worse, so let’s make this journey a way to learn.

I think the lesson that I can take away is that life is rough, and things do not always go as planned. At the same time, you can either make the best or the worst of the situation.

Planning a whole trip just for it to get canceled stinks, but that also happens all the time in the real world: things just don’t always go as planned.

The John Carroll School

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Nikolas Mucha

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

Cherie Ndungu

STEVENSON UNIVERSITY

The lesson that I can take away from this tragic time is to look for the silver linings and cherish any moment of joy within your life. Senior Project has taught me about leadership and delegating tasks. These life skills and the chance to express my own take of a classic show have made me more creative and strong. I’ve gained a new sense of myself.

My Senior Project has opened my eyes and allowed me to appreciate the health field. I do not regret the time I spent on my project since it has helped me figure out which career I want to go into. I am disappointed that I could not bring awareness about endometriosis and present my new-found love for health.

Jessica Norwood

Andrew Pace

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Over the course of the Senior Project process, I learned that I am very passionate about mission trips and would like to continue them in my future. Overall, I am thankful for the experience of the Senior Project, regardless of whether the experience was completed.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY What I have taken away from this virus and what it has done to everyone is that life is not easy or always fun, but when it gets hard you need to buckle down and brace yourself because you will get through it. The virus also has shown me that life is precious and can be taken away at any moment, so enjoy what you have now because one day it could be gone.

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Alicia Paegar

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

I did not get the chance to educate (many) John Carroll students about African culture and traditions. However, I am very grateful for the few classes with whom I did get the chance to share my Senior Project. I have learned so much by just attending The John Carroll School. It has been an amazing experience. I had the chance to meet wonderful teachers, counselors and students.

Katherine Paradiso Since my freshman year at John Carroll, I had been planning my Senior Project. I loved the idea of giving seniors a project to work on independently and letting students decide what they want to work on based on their interests. I was going to make a book about mental health. I wanted to show the resilience in people.

COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Katelyn Patrick This Senior Project has been an amazing experience for me, and even though my senior year has been cut short, I have learned from Ben Paepcke (who broke his spine at C5 and suffered a major spinal cord injury) to adapt and take on life’s challenges with every swing. Don’t take advantage of any moment you have, and live life to the fullest.

ALBRIGHT COLLEGE

The John Carroll School

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Tristen Pattisall

PURSUING PROFESSIONAL GOLF

My plan for Senior Project since day one at John Carroll had always been to get Mr. Del Puppo to bring back the camping trip that I had heard so much about. I love the outdoors, and I had never tried camping like this, so I was ready to make this my project. I consistently asked him and finally convinced him to bring it back for my class.

Brenna Patzer

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

When I began directing and constructing the performance portion of my Senior Project, I was deliberately careful and meticulous when it came to creating and portraying to the audience the feeling of isolation within a small space for a long period of time. Never once did the thought cross my mind that I would be in that exact position in just a few months.

Garrett Phillips

THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY, WEST POINT

My idea was to build a virtual tour of John Carroll. This is something no other competitor currently has for their school.

The Senior Project process is a lifechanging experience that allows students to express their creativity and imagination. It was unfortunate that this year’s projects were canceled, but the project should continue to serve as a teaching opportunity for future seniors.

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Kayla Phillips

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

Being around young children opens your eyes to the little things in life and makes you further appreciate what you have.

At this point in time, I think the entire world has gotten a wake-up call and the predicament we are in has forced us to see that we need to be grateful for what we have every single day, even the little things.

Anthony Pietro I think I am like a lot of others who just want this whole year to be over. It certainly has been a letdown not getting to spend the last semester with all our friends and enjoying all the special events. The last semester of your senior year is supposed to be easy and fun. It certainly did not turn out that way. It's just sad to think about.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

CJ Polesovsky

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE COUNTY

My senior year has been changed in a way that I never thought imaginable. I was going to apply statistical analysis to songwriting. With Senior Project being canceled, I am relieved of a lot of work I still had to do, but I am still excited to attempt to discover writing music.

Because of COVID-19, I have learned that I should not take anything for granted.

The John Carroll School

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Jenna Pullen I chose to shadow an ICU nurse for my Senior Project. I was excited to go into a hospital and learn what it was like to work there and wondered if it would be anything like "Grey’s Anatomy." My project helped me to confidently pick my college major and the career I am going to pursue: nursing.

HARFORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Jessica Purdie

MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Before starting my project, I believed I was incapable of writing anything more than a few pages of a story before getting bored with it and moving on to a different idea.

I learned that I can do anything as long as I put my mind to it. The overwhelming feelings I felt in the beginning of the project went away as I learned to take everything one day at a time.

Emma Ritter I was very blessed with timing this year because my Senior Project was not affected

by COVID-19. For my Senior Project, I organized the 5th annual Special Needs Prom. I attended the previous year’s prom when Holly Dixon hosted it. It was such an amazing experience. I decided to take on the challenge.

VIRGINIA TECH

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Kendall Rittmeyer

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF BALTIMORE COUNTY

I definitely feel upset about what has happened to Senior Project. First of all, it’s a tradition at John Carroll.

In addition, I was very excited to be able to start a girl’s club. Most of these girls were around my age.

This makes me think that I could’ve learned some new things from them, and they could’ve learned things from me as well.

Ryan Rosensteel

SHENANDOAH UNIVERSITY

I feel terrible about what has happened to Senior Project because of COVID-19. I feel like myself and the children I was going to teach have lost out on a special experience that could have taught us all valuable lessons. I believe memories mean more than any materialistic items.

The unique experiences we have in life are never forgotten; they stick with us forever.

Tyler Rosso

VIRGINIA TECH

As a result of the great care I was given when I was 11 at the Johns Hopkins Children Center, I decided that my Senior Project would be to collect items to donate to the children's hospital. I have been able to complete my project with the exception of donating to the hospital. I have learned a lot from this project, but mainly that people are always looking to help others.

The John Carroll School

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Aidan Ruiz

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The lessons I will take away from this senior year are going to be lifechanging. Starting with the Senior Project, there are many lessons I’ve gained from working with special needs kids, but I’ve also learned the importance of time management and building relationships within the community.

Delaney Runge

WASHINGTON COLLEGE

Overall, I feel that the Senior Project program at John Carroll is an excellent way to allow students to pursue something they are passionate about while being held accountable for their progress. I was writing poetry and taking pictures in order to compile them into a book.

Before COVID-19, I had already gathered all the poetry and pictures I had planned to use in my book.

Malik Scott

COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS

I never actually realized how much I cared about my classmates until now, and I am upset that we will not get to end our time at John Carroll like we planned. I would tell the class of 2021 (as well as the classes after them) to cherish every moment and not take this special year for granted like I did.

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Mikey Shock

Brett Shorts

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA As the younger sibling of Chelsea Shock, who won first place for her Senior Project in 2011, I was very excited to be able to do it as well.

I started my sophomore year and poured my absolute heart into it.

My Senior Project was to remodel, reorganize, and maintain the two dressing rooms and costume rooms at John Carroll. This project has taught me so much and is so dear to my heart.

While the ongoing pandemic has put my high school experiences on hold, I must think of others who aren’t as fortunate to be working during these times. I have tried to make the best of the situation and remain positive.

Hopefully when all of this is over, we can all come back as a John Carroll community and spend time together one last time.

The John Carroll School

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Sophia Shukla I have learned the lesson of patience and understanding throughout this outbreak. I used to be frustrated and angry that we are missing our senior year memories. However, since the virus continues to take the lives of many, I can now feel nothing but heartbreak for those who are majorly affected by this disease.

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

Brooke Smith I know better things will come and this is just one small bump in the road. I’m hoping that once we are able to go back to normal civilization, I can challenge myself to leave my comfort zone and share my passion. Though this is the end of Senior Project, it is not the end of me building my self-confidence through uncomfortable experiences and learning who I truly am.

Emily Smith

LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

Even before I started my freshman year, I was aware of Senior Project.

For over ten years now, seniors have always talked about what it means to complete a Senior Project. It is disheartening that the Class of 2020’s Senior Project was canceled, and we will miss out on an important John Carroll tradition. Ultimately, the right decision was made.

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Garrett Smith

SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

Mary Streett

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

I have learned that I do not want to be sitting in an office my whole life, working for someone else. The internship I was set to do was for a stream restoration company. It would have given me a better idea about the business side of stream restoration. Even after I do my internship (when this virus blows over), I still would like to choose my major from this experience.

The biggest lesson I learned during this project is that creativity is a rocky road. This was quite unexpected for me to learn. Ideas come to you in the middle of math class. Some come in dreams, some come in shower thoughts, and some come at 4:30 in the morning when you haven’t slept in two days. Creativity comes during the most inconvenient times, but it’s something you can’t help.

Kaitlyn Sydnor

Michael Tamberino

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Back in 2016, my sister went on the mission trip to Honduras and she came back a changed individual.

The people she met, the sights she saw and the love she felt at Sandy Bay was unlike anything she had experienced before, and she insisted I follow in her footsteps. I knew I wanted to go to Roatan to give back and to help those kids just as she did. But, of course, sometimes things don’t go your way.

THE CITADEL, THE MILITARY COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

I am sad that Senior Project did not go as planned. I was really looking forward to putting together a project about something that interests ME. After four years of doing projects because the teacher wanted it, my one project that should have been for ME was cancelled.

The John Carroll School

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Jadon Tatuem

Maggie Tauber

DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY

TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Senior Project has taught me some things about myself that I never knew. I learned that I can get a lot more done than I think. Sometimes I can feel overwhelmed with things that I have to do, but this experience has taught me that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Also, I learned about some new interests that I have. This experience was worth the time and hard work.

I taught myself a huge lesson without even realizing it. I am still upset that I might never get to perform the show (Mamma Mia!) for an audience, but I am so grateful that I enjoyed every moment possible and left everything else at the door. I wish I could push people to live everyday like it’s their last because nothing is permanent in life, and enjoying your time is most important.

Brian Thompson

Christopher Walker

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND

RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE I learned there are a lot of patients in hospitals who are there with little entertainment, in a cold and unfriendly environment. Their quality of life can be improved by people who are willing to be social and bring their pets wherever they are needed. The mood of these patients is something that is frequently overlooked, but incredibly important to their mental health.

Running can be seen by some as a horrible pastime. If questioned, athletes would most likely refer to it with words such as painful, terrible and tiresome. Taking this viewpoint of running and flipping it around to a more optimistic approach was one of the best things I have ever done.

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Mackenzie Walton

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

The lesson I have taken away from my Senior Project is the quicker you get something done the more time you have to perfect it. Throughout my Senior Project process, I was not as productive in the beginning as I would’ve liked. Another thing my Senior Project taught me was that I need to better my skills of multitasking.

Luke Wentworth

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Senior Project has been a tradition at John Carroll for years, and I am very proud that I am able to be a part of that tradition. However, since the COVID-19 outbreak began, most students have been unable to complete their Senior Projects.

Not only has it taken away the opportunity to complete our projects, it has also taken away many privileges that come with being a senior.

Grace Williams

DELAWARE VALLEY UNIVERSITY

I am definitely a changed person because of the way my senior year has ended. I miss seeing the smiling faces of my classmates and teachers everyday in the hallways, learning face-to-face with my teachers in my favorite subjects, eating lunch with my best friends and chatting with my advisory. If I had known that this was how my high school experience would end, I would have treasured every last moment.

The John Carroll School

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Julia Williams

BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE

At the beginning of senior year, I was very nervous about Senior Project.

I had always thought of it to be something that was scary because it determines whether or not you graduate and receive a diploma. I soon learned that Senior Project is more like a rite of passage in that it is something that every senior does, and for many seniors, it is something that will change their lives.

Gavin Wingard

CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Throughout my four years of attending John Carroll, my Senior Project was by far the best experience. Senior Project is a great opportunity for students to show who they really are and leave a story behind for other students. For my Senior Project, I held the 3rd Annual Josh Hamer Tournament with Aidan Ruiz and Tyler Leach.

Michael Wolfe

FLAGLER COLLEGE, ST AUGUSTINE

I think Senior Project is a great opportunity for students to recognize some of their strengths and weaknesses one last time before graduating high school and entering the real world. I also believe it gives students a chance to show what they are truly capable of and can provide a small glimpse of their potential for the future. For my project, I built a longboard for my passion in skating and surfing.

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Jingyi (Sarah) Xiang

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

This unusual ending of my senior year has been challenging for me. The only world championship I qualified for is canceled; school is closed; graduation seems far away; my flights back home keep getting canceled; I have to worry about what to eat for my next meal and where to live if things don't get better. But I've definitely gained some experiences about adapting to unforeseen scenarios, becoming more independent, and seeing positive things during a bad time.

Min Yong I miss my friends and teachers. I hope this situation is over soon, so we can get back to normal. It would have been better and exciting to share my gym. However, I still have completed making the gym and accomplished my goal: to create a gym that provides an effective, safe, and satisfying place for the students in the dorm.

Kathryn Yurechko

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY

The mission of my Senior Project was to create the Friends R Family Club at John Carroll, a group aimed at fostering a stronger understanding of mental health and lessening the stigma associated with mental illness within our school community. I am truly inspired by the groundwork in understanding mental health that I laid at John Carroll. I hope current and future students will continue to foster what I began.

The John Carroll School

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Haishu (Charles) Zhang

Tianyu (Rex) Zhang

TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Before I started my Senior Project, I thought that building this rocket would not be too complicated. I was wrong. After completing the project, I have learned more and gained more experience than I could from classes. Eventually, all the difficulties became joy. Through the project, I confirmed my passion in engineering and eventually want to major in engineering in college.

Working in the physics lab was fun.

What I learned about myself is my interest as I go into college. When I first applied to the colleges, I applied to engineering schools.

I always thought I might do something like civil engineering or something big. Now I find out I enjoy working on small things, too.

Yining (Cecily) Zhou

James Ziegler

THE NEW SCHOOL, ALL DIVISIONS Even if I didn't have a chance to complete my Senior Project in the end, I still learned a lot of things.

If there is a chance, I will choose to continue this work, continue to help this organization and to draw illustrations and help more stray animals.

WASHINGTON COLLEGE I am very disappointed that the seniors were not able to participate in the events of Senior Project. It is a great tradition at JC that I was looking forward to being a part of.

For several years, I have participated in numerous basketball camps, and I have always wanted to run my own. I was excited to finally get a taste of what it would be like to host a sport event.

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To the Class of 2020: I think these excerpts from two books written by M.H. Clark speak to the place each of you in your own ways may be at this time: “Right now is a hard time.

You don’t have to love it…

You just have to make it through.”

“…no matter how you feel right now, you are still you…

You are still bigger than this feeling.

There is more to you than this moment…

There is another part of your story.

This is not the whole story.

Everything you are… makes you able to weather this storm.

Give yourself time.

It will not be this difficult forever, You are still here.

You are on your way just by living, just by continuing.

Your life is still a story of joy, and complexity, trial and overcoming.

You can still create what comes next…”

“Take your life and live it well be kind to yourself dream great dreams listen to your heart celebrate your strengths appreciate your talents delight in your own uniqueness find time for joy give of yourself lean into the hard work seize new opportunities find wonder” – M.H. Clark –

Honor yourselves, 2020 by living the special lives, you are capable of creating.

– lbg –

dently pick my college major and the career I am going to pursue: nursing. I believe memories mean mo than any materialistic items. Senior Project has been a tradition at John Carroll for years and I am very prou that I am able to be a part of that tradition. The unique experiences we have in life are never forgotten, th stick with us forever. When I began directing and constructing the performance portion of my Senior Projec I was deliberately careful and meticulous when it came to creating and portraying to the audience the feeli of isolation within a small space for a long period of time. I wish I could push people to live everyday like it their last because nothing is permanent in life; and enjoying your time is the most important. Never once d the thought cross my mind that I would be in that exact position in just a few months. Creativity comes duri the most inconvenient times, but it’s something you can’t help. The lessons I will take away from this seni year are going to be life changing. I never actually realized how much I care about my classmates until now an I am upset that we will not get to end our time at John Carroll like we planned. I have learned a lot from th project but most importantly, I TOLD MYSELF THAT IN THIS WORLD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Hopefully when of this is over, we can all come back as a John Carroll community and spend time together one last time. M Senior Project was to remodel, reorganize, and maintain the two dressing rooms and costume rooms at Joh Carroll. This project has taught me so much and is so dear to my heart. I have learned the lesson of patien and understanding throughout this outbreak. I know better things are to come and this is just one small bum in the road. I miss seeing the smiling faces of my classmates and teachers every day in the hallways, learni face-to-face with my teachers in my favorite subjects, eating lunch with my best friends, chatting with my ad sory. It is something that will change their lives. Senior Project is a great opportunity for students to show wh they really are as a person and leave a story behind for other students. I’ve definitely gained some experience about adapting to unforeseen scenarios, becoming more independent, and seeing positive things during a ba time. I miss my friends and teachers. I hope this situation is over soon, so we can get back to normal. I a truly inspired by the groundwork in understanding mental health that I laid at John Carroll. I hope current an future students will continue to foster what I began. Eventually, all the difficulties became joy. Through the pr ect, I confirmed my passion in engineering and eventually will major in engineering in college. Even if I didn have a chance to complete my Senior Project in the end, I still learned a lot of things. If there is a chance, I w choose to continue this work, continue to help this organization and to draw illustrations and help more str animals. I am very disappointed that we seniors were not able to participate in the events of Senior Projec It is a great tradition at JC that I was looking forward to being a part of. Pursuing a passion or dream mig not always be in the way we think, but it’s the exploration of that dream and everything involved that make the greatest difference. I’m sad about not being able to present. Stressing about anything isn’t going to d anything besides make it worse, the best thing to do is to take action or ask for help! I learned about huma characteristics and how we can make change in a good way. The right call was made, and we have to focu on other things to keep people and the ones we love safe. My goal through Senior Project was to give back the JC community for all of the good that it has done for my family. I think the virus definitely altered the who process in general and specifically my Senior Project. Senior Project has the potential to bring ideas to life. can let people have a voice to show others about what they can accomplish. What has happened to the Seni Project is undoubtedly a shame. I have heard stories of people having amazing things that they were going finish for their Senior Projects. I have discovered that everything in life is temporary…It has molded me into new person who is now grateful for just life in general. Through this process, I have learned that I am a ha worker who likes to get things done as soon as they are assigned to me. I like to stay on top of things an always try to be ahead of the game, instead of waiting until last minute to complete something. I plan to ta life day-by-day, as I now realize that life can be interrupted and put on hold at any given moment. The emotion that a young man experiences as he sits around a fire with twelve of his classmates and a teacher that he tru looks up to…are truly something special. This is not stopping me; it is only a delay. This disease may ha ended our year short, but it won’t make us give up on trying to celebrate it. Rather than be upset, I am luc for the time I did have during senior year and all of high school. But day-by-day, after I finished the book an looked at my achievement, I told myself that in this world nothing is impossible. Regardless of the unexpecte way of ending, the Senior Project was a challenge for me. I am glad that I was able to finish a portion of it an thank all the teachers who helped me. I began searching for an internship or job shadowing program that ha to do with my major. Even though Senior Project is no longer happening, I think I still got all of the lessons o of it that I was supposed to. While most definitely a cliché, interacting with these children who are so positi and kind and so willing to persevere made me reevaluate my few obstacles and how I handle them. This simp story book has forever changed my life, given me the ability to see what I want to do with my life, helped m grow as a person, and given me the strength to do what I hope all my readers do as well, surround themselve