Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
A CHS senior stood in the sun next to a horse, looking out the entry of the FFA building. Two pickups arranged inside had raised hoods.
In the library, administrators and evaluators looked over portfolios, and in the hallways students waited as the minutes counted down.
Senior project night was about to start Thursday at Colfax High School. This year’s class includes 54.
Voices in the hall indicated what was to come.
“Are we supposed to go in there?”
“This is my stress ball.”
“I told my mom not to come, and she’s going to anyway.”
“I’m going to forget something. Oh God.”
“You’re turning red.”
“No, he’s not.”
“I’ll go in. Good luck guys.”
Once all of the volunteer evaluators, parents and others filed in, the junior monitors closed the doors.
In the FFA building, Kyle Miller began the first session by presenting his project, swapping an engine in an ’88 Dodge Dakota pickup.
Mark Harden’s longhorn steer waited in a trailer.
At the half-hour point, the classroom doors opened again and the first presenters filed out.
During session two, a system-wide shutdown of the computer froze at least one presentation on the overhead screen, leaving Abby Muir’s photography exhibit at a standstill.
“Relax, take a breath,” advised teacher Christopher Clausen as she waited patiently.
After the second session, a junior brought evaluators coffee.
Senior projects began eight years ago as a state requirement. Each district chooses how exactly they do it, and Colfax suggests seniors do a work-based project each year.
“Some aspect of a possible future,” explained faculty coordinator Ross Swan.
Projects presented last Thursday included job shadowers of doctors, a hairdresser, veterinarian and a lawyer.
One student made a porch swing. Cupcakes, sewn quilts and dresses, part of a book, athletic training to prevent ankle injuries, a song written and performed and a piano performance by a student who learned from scratch were presented.
“All of the kids passed,” said Swan. “There was a lot of positive feedback, and collectively as a school we’d like to thank the community for all of their support, both the mentors and those serving on panels. It’s a tremendous effort.”
The first requirement of the project calls for each student to create a portfolio, which encompasses their high school careers–from clubs and awards to transcripts and best works. Panel members looked over the portfolios at the beginning of the night.
“A lot of the kids find out through this experience it’s really what they want to do or not what they want to do,” Swan noted.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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