Senior Project

Every year, VMA’s talented seniors decide to embark on a journey, through the Senior Project program, that explores and showcases their talents and sense of community.  As an independent study, the Senior Project allows students to work by themselves or with another person to create and execute an interdisciplinary project, a project that betters Villa, aids other schools, raises awareness and funds for charitable organizations, or displays the specific talents of the student.  The Senior Project should expand the knowledge or pride in the individual student(s) while also creating a sense of community.  Although Senior Projects are not required, the project appears on the student’s transcript, and students are publicly recognized for their contributions – at graduation, a Senior Project dinner sponsored by the Board of Trustees, and an all-school assembly.

The class of 2007 showcased their talents by creating a Web-Comic and a Dance Recital.  A student chose to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Students explored their possible careers at FAITH Magazine and  SSJ Neighborhood Network.  Students showed their sense of community by working at Relay for Life, St. Peter Cathedral Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Our Lady of Peace Parish

Over the summer, the class of 2008, students organized fundraisers for Safe Net and for a young man who is a cancer survivor.  Students also reached out to campers at Camp Fitch, veterans at VA Hospital and the children at the Achievement Center.

When the class of 2007 was asked what they learned from doing a Senior Project, they responded:

… I can come up with some pretty good ideas by myself, but I also need to do some research to put those ideas into practice properly

I learned a great deal about myself …what I did was great …and I am capable of anything

… not to procrastinate while doing things and also to open up more and say what needs to be said

… that doing things in a timely manner will make my work better and also will relieve stress

… I really love to help people

… discipline and perseverance are the keys to success – and this is the way all life is

…to respect everyone, even if you don’t agree with them

… inspiration comes in weird places

… to “go with the flow”.  This flexibility will stay with me in whatever future projects I will undertake

… helping others is my passion…service to others will influence all that I do in life

… I am not so great at meeting certain deadlines and I need to work on that

… I enjoy working with children and have the patience it takes to be a teacher

For more information on the Senior Project, please contact any member of the Senior Project Committee: Mrs. Kelli Beuchert, Mrs. Kathy DiNicola, Mrs. Sandy Herman, Mrs. Kristy Martin, Ms. Deb Seng, Mr. Steve Siwiecki and Sr. Marianne Stuckert.