Londonderry seniors present annual projects

LONDONDERRY — Sixteen Londonderry High School students were recognized after completing their senior projects.

A ceremony June 9 put the seniors in the spotlight to show off their projects. The senior project program is an optional, year-long program where seniors can choose a learning experience out of the regular classroom.

This was the fourth year for the senior program.

Each student choosing to complete a senior project also chooses a staff member to serve as their mentor during the process.

A showcase of all the projects followed the awards ceremony in the high school cafeteria.

“Handling a senior project on top of senior year is no easy project,” said Paul Dutton, an assistant principal and program leader said. “They balance all their senior year requirements.”

Dutton said each student experienced a different journey as they did their projects.

The end result included a portfolio of formal proposals, research papers, reflections, time logs. Last month, participating seniors also shared their work during the Senior Project Roundtable Presentations event in front of high school faculty.

During the awards night, each of the senior project candidates had a few minutes to explain their project and then invited those present to visit their showcase and displays, set up all around the cafeteria.

“This year’s projects were simply impressive,” Dutton said. “They pursued an idea of their choice.”

The projects were as varied as the individuals who completed them. They ranged from video and film offerings, to setting up programs on children’s dance and music therapy in the classroom.

Some students wrote novels as part of their project; others did fundraising efforts to support children’s health, or did research on historical events like Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

“This was a great experience for me,” Liz Swanson said.

For her project, she created a children’s dance series of workshops at North Elementary School.

Marc Lussier focused on his love of drama and theater for his senior project choice, creating a student drama program that ended with official productions staged at the Derry Opera House.

“I wanted to give students more performing opportunities,” he said.

Students participating in senior projects this year were: Kiley Andrews, Valerie Fernandez, Maria Gagliardi, Tori Goggin, Danielle Johnson, Kaylin LaPointe, Erin Lucy, Marc Lussier, Marc Mazzola, Shannon Meeks, Niki Navarro, Hannah Rettig, Marissa Russell, Connor Student, Liz Swanson and Drew Vivian.