Rhode Island High School Senior, Elizabeth Silvia, focuses her Senior Project on Rett Syndrome!
One of the requirements for graduating from Barrington High School in Barrington, R.I. is to successfully complete a senior year thesis project. The project challenges students to demonstrate and display their mastery of many of the skills they acquired during their years in the Barrington Public Schools. Through this project, students take control of and have a powerful voice in their own education and personal development. As learners and individuals, the student’s choices’ and personal interests are valued and recognized. The culmination is a final presentation to the Senior Project Advisory Board in May of their graduation year.
Elizabeth decided to focus her Senior Project on Rett syndrome for the following reasons:
“When I had to figure out what I wanted to do for my Senior Project, I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. We were told that our project should reflect what we are interested in and would like to get involved with in the future. My future plans are uncertain, but I would love to work for a non-profit type of organization and maybe work with the Peace Corps after college. My mother at one time worked for the Ford Foundation in New York, and I have always thought that would be a rewarding career.”
“While I was trying to figure out who I knew who was actively involved in a cause with a non-profit group, I thought of my neighbors who had been personally affected by Rett syndrome and are still very involved with the Rett Foundation even though their daughter had died in 2006, due to the complications of this disease. I knew of some of the difficulties and challenges they had encountered, and after some research on Rett syndrome and learning about the great efforts being made to raise awareness and funding, I felt this would be an excellent undertaking to focus my Senior Project on.”
It is important that students seek guidance and assistance from a variety of sources with a specific focus on locating a mentor and working with that person closely.
“I am currently only at the preliminary stages of this project, but right now my mentor, Michele Wise and I are planning on organizing a fundraiser for Rett syndrome. My research paper most likely will focus on the challenges of raising money for diseases such as Rett syndrome during an economic downturn”.
After subject approval, the Senior Project consists of at least fifteen hours of field work, a research paper and an oral presentation. The Senior Project is supported in English Class during both the first and second semesters.
Updates will be posted as Elizabeth embarks on her endeavor.