One hundred twenty Newark High School seniors achieved a long-awaited, important milestone May 21st as they made their Digital Media presentations for their NHS Capstone Project requirements to graduate June 26th.
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“There is nothing quite like watching seniors present their Capstones. I am overwhelmed with pride every year, seeing how much they’ve grown and how confidently they share their stories. I especially love watching their happiness _ the moment they realize they’ve done something they’re truly proud of. Seeing them support one another and having families there to cheer them on makes it all even more powerful. It is, without a doubt, my favorite day of the year,” said Capstone Coordinator Katie Ganter, who also teaches English, Marketing and Publications and is the NHS Yearbook advisor.
Capstone Co-Coordinator Danielle Ohlson who teaches English and Multicultural Studies shared:
“It is really difficult to render the entirety of Capstone Day into a brief quote because, for me, it's not just about the day. For me, it is truly about the entire process. Students began working on their projects back in February, so over the course of 4 months, I have witnessed the journey with all its joys and frustrations. Then there is the equivalent of "Tech Week" in the final days leading up to presentations when students are rehearsing, receiving, offering and applying feedback, fine-tuning slides, and working through their nerves. This is when the magic happens. Things really start coming together, and I see students' confidence and pride in their work building. As an educator, that is the best part of my job.”
The Capstone Project is made up of several required components and the Class of 2026 was the tenth class to be required to successfully complete all of them to graduate including:
• 20 Volunteer community service hours.
• Healthy choice journal entries about involvement in various extra-curricular activities and about things they learned in health classes or three-page essay
• A research paper in 10th grade espousing both sides of an argument and a conclusion.
• A senior research project.
• And finally, presenting their Digital Media Presentation in front of a 4 or 5-person NHS or Newark Middle School faculty panel. The 8-12-minute presentations on a smart board typically included pictures of the student; a favorite quote reflective of their personality; insights about their high school experience; an explanation of and findings of their 12th grade research project; sharing about something they are proud of and discussion about their future plans.
After the presentations May 21st, members of the panel asked questions of students before evaluating their presentation, based on a rubric, in private. Students received one of the following scores:
-Pass
-Revisions required.
After a few minutes, the presenting student was called back into the classroom and informed by panelists if they had passed. If so, they were also given the caps and gowns they will wear at graduation June 26th, along with senior yard signs.
Presentations were made by the NHS students during several 30-minute sessions in classrooms throughout the high school.
Refreshments were available in the cafeteria after students’ presentations.
After the event, NHS Principal Kelly A. Zielke said she was very pleased with the outcome of Capstone Presentation Day.
“Each year, I am so proud and amazed at all of the hard work that students have put in toward this milestone,” Zielke said. “It is wonderful to see students showcasing their work and experiences, and getting to share that with friends and family just makes it even better. The only negative to the day, is that I can’t see them
all! Congratulations to all of the students on a job very well done. It was an exceptional day and I was so happy to share it with many of them.
Lastly, Superintendent Susan Hasenauer, who also very much enjoyed participating with some other faculty panelists in evaluating some of the seniors Digital Media Presentations commended all the participants on their accomplishments.
“There is nothing better than listening to the life stories of our seniors,” Hasenauer said. “From the quote that resonates best with them, to their research topic and their senior artifact, you learn so much about them in one presentation. I am always astounded with how confident they are in their beliefs and what led they to their goals for the future. It is a beautiful day about resiliency, life lessons, success, grit and hope.”