A look at the senior projects

Pamela Peralta can defend herself against an attacker with just the swift move of her hands.

Wearing a gi, the 18-year-old demonstrated several moves Thursday at Carson High School during her senior project presentation.

"For my project, I learned jujitsu," she said. "It gives you a lot of confidence. It gives you mental control, and you are more prepared for a dangerous situation."

It even gave her the grace to continue with finesse when a cell phone rang.

What's nice about Peralta's project is she didn't do it just for the grade. Even though presentations finished last week, she'll continue studying her subject matter.

Peralta, who signed up to learn jujitsu two to three times a week, plans to continue her martial arts studies after she heads to Holland to study language translation.

She tests for her next belt color this week.

Community members - 364 of them - acted as judges Thursday and Friday at Carson High School.

Judges ranked students from 4 to 1 in categories of content, organization, delivery, language and professional decorum on their presentations. They also ranked student portfoliosfrom 4 to 1 in categories of completeness, professional appearance, quality of responses, individual voice and accuracy.

According to teacher Cheryl Macy, "fours" are essentially "A"s and "ones" are roughly "F"s. Judges' scores are averaged in both the portfolios and presentation areas, resulting in two separate grades for students.

"I have never seen a kid get straight ones," said Macy, head of the English Department. "But every once in a while, a one will be thrown in there."

Additionally, students receive an overall grade from their English teachers on their projects and sundry separate grades for steps along the way.

Monique Bourcier, 18, who volunteered at the Carson City Animal Shelter for her project, was glad the senior project was an English class requirement and told judges so.

"Every school in Nevada should require the senior project," she said at the end of her presentation Thursday.

She overcame her fear of large dogs by working at the shelter, and now wants to own a large ranch some day.

"The project will help me a lot in my future," she said. "I know I can now write an eight-page research paper."

The senior project started six years ago at Carson High after Principal Fred Perdomo, then dean of students, brought the idea back from a conference.

English Department staff oversee the projects, but teachers throughout the school help.

"There is a bit of a misconception about the senior project," Macy said. "We do it in the English Department, but it's a Carson High project. We kind of carry the load, but it's something the whole school decided to do."

Students can choose a topic in career development, personal development (like learning jujitsu) or altruism. They need to write research a paper and include citations, do at least 15 hours of fieldwork, give an eight- to-12-minute speech and write thank-you notes.

"I think it ensures that every kid has basic writing skills, both business and academic," Macy said. "It also gives students skills in planning and preparation and teaches them about professionalism."

And it provides students the chance to figure out how best to direct their futures.

As Peralta wrote in her portfolio: "Strength is not the best weapon, but the brain is."

• For more on senior projects, see page C4 for information on Kimberly Zink's project. Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.