The dreaded part of the year has come when seniors are scurrying around, trying to quickly throw together a presentation that is worthy enough to pass senior project. It must encompass a year’s worth of blood, sweat, tears and long hours, all fitting perfectly in a time span between 8 to 10 minutes. Seniors must present the background, research, interviews and learning stretch of their project. In the weeks leading up to the night of Thursday, May 19, students will prepare day in and day out to meet the approved requirements and secure a spot in graduation.

Ever since senior year began, senior project has been on everyone’s mind. It is drilled into your head by teachers at the end of junior year and then becomes a reality only three short months later. The first day of school, teachers introduce the topic as a project that we will need to invest time in; however, many people don’t realize exactly what it entails. They devote days to the project itself, but forget about what comes after it, the presentation. Ask all seniors and most will tell you that talking about what they did is more stressful than the project itself.

“I knew it would take a lot of work but I didn’t know how time consuming it would be,” said senior Elise Felker. “You put in all of this energy to finish the actual project but then you realize that there is a whole other step in the process, the presentation.”

The portfolio date comes and the project is due, and then the second part of the project ensues. As a senior project requirement, all students must perform a practice presentation in their English class in front of their teacher and all of their peers.

“I think that the practice presentation is the most nerve racking part because you have to talk in front of people who know you,” said senior Kara Schultz. “I feel like it is easier when you don’t know the people because they don’t already have an opinion of you.”

Each person will receive a grade for the projection of their voice, their eye contact, the content of their project as well as the question and answer portion at the end. On the night of presentations, a group of four to six teachers, parents and community members will sit in front of each senior and grade them as they talk. At the same time, the next presenters sit patiently and nervously in the hallway, anxiously rehearsing their speeches in their heads.

“To pass the presentation, you must reach the 8-minute minimum time requirement. Spend time practicing at home or after school with a teacher and timing yourself,” said Ms. Leslie Holcroft, senior project coordinator. “If you completed a substantial senior project, hitting the mark and talking about your work will come easily to you. Students who did not put sincere effort toward their project work often struggle with having enough to say.”

There are many things that the graders on senior project presentation night look for in the presenter. There are some points that if included in the speech, will make you stand out amongst the rest.

“Using a personal anecdote to introduce who you are or how you chose your project idea is a great way to make the judges feel an instant investment in your presentation,” said Holcroft. “When you talk about your project work, be sincere in presenting both your successes and the challenges of your project work. Use specific examples or details to make the project work ‘come alive’ for your judges.”

As more and more students complete their practice presentations, the actual night seems like it is approaching quicker than ever. The anxiety of standing in front of your peers has subsided; however, the nerves for presentation night have grown even stronger.

“I’m nervous but I’m glad that it is almost over. I’m glad that a year’s worth of work is finally paying off,” said Schultz. “I think that it is helpful because in the future you are most likely going to have to present to people and big crowds no matter what you’re doing.”

Soon, senior project will be a thing of the past and the seniors will be able to breathe. The seniors will graduate and the juniors will take their places as leaders of the school. Nevertheless, with great power comes great responsibility. The task of creating a great senior project will be lifted onto the shoulders of the new seniors of NK and they will have to endure every step of the project along the way, just like every student who has passed through the hallways of the high school.

“It definitely took a lot of time and effort; however, the feeling of finishing it and knowing that I will graduate is the best feeling in the world,” said Felker.