Graduation Project
In 2010, for the first time in Chatham County, graduating seniors at Central, Northwood, Jordan Matthews, and Sage High Schools were required to complete an ambitious Graduation Project. This project must be completed by every senior before he or she can graduate.
We learned much last year, and again each of the more than 450 graduating seniors must choose a subject of interest to him or her, write a research paper on that subject, find a mentor who is an expert in the field, create a “product” based on research and mentoring, then give a formal presentation.
Areas of interest vary widely—here are a few project topics that seniors chose last year:
- carpentry: bookshelves; tables
- preparing show horses
- the history of the Civil Rights movement in Chatham County
- forms of mass transit
- playing the banjo
- restoring old cars
- the process of training to be a police officer
- research into juvenile diabetes
- photography
- writing and recording a country song
- neonatal nursing
- dog training
- cake decorating
- immunology
- sculpture
- welding
- singing Hebrew worship songs
Seniors will connect with Chatham’s community of adults at work: farmers, auto mechanics, organic gardeners, medical researchers, university professors, artists, musicians, educators, and so on, and gain new insights from the encounter.
CCT! has designed a program to work with Chatham’s high schools and graduating seniors to help make this second year of the Graduation Project a success. Gwen Overturf, Volunteer Coordinator, is recruiting mentors for students who need extra help completing the project. Working with students referred to them by each high school, CCT’s caring adult mentors will go the extra mile to help students stay on track, inspire students in their area of interest, and commit to a series of six to ten meetings with a young person throughout a semester’s time.
The Graduation Project is a unique opportunity for adults in Chatham County who have a passion for their work to connect with and pass along some of that passion to a young person. Seniors are looking for inspiration, help with organization, and a window into the adult world of work.
Graduation Project mentors who work with Chatham County Together! will have support, training, and weekly assistance in their mentoring process. They will also have fun! It’s a wonderful way to connect with young people and have a chance to share your passion for your area of expertise—as well as having the opportunity to open the eyes of a young person, with the possibility of turning his or her future in an entirely new direction.
Requirements for becoming a Graduation Project mentor
- A desire to help young people complete their high school requirements.
- A caring attitude and a love of sharing expertise.
- 12-15 hours of time to share over the next summer, fall, or spring semester.
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Complete an application, receive training, and be interviewed by CCT! staff.
