April marks the start of senior projects, an opportunity seniors have to gain an authentic learning experience outside the classroom, John Blix, Business Education Teacher said.

Over the course of the next two months, participants will be excused from all classes and will use that time to complete project of their choosing, Blix said. These projects aim to help prepare students for their future outside of South, he explained.

“Senior project can either affirm or question the [career path] a student wants to take because you really learn a lot by interning in a field],” Blix said.

While some senior projects may include internships, others can include self-led projects or service initiatives, Blix said.

Senior Matthew Zelkowitz chose to do a project that will introduce him to a future career.

“I am [going to be] producing and helping record an album of my band’s original music,” Zelkowitz said.

The project will also help Zelkowitz navigate college as a music major.

“Music majors sometimes have to spend more time practicing music than doing their school work,” Zelkowitz said. “So, getting experience with the long days of work will definitely benefit me.”

This project will help Zelkowitz in his future, along with help him make strong bonds with his other band mates.

“My band mates [and I] always planned on recording an album, but we never had the time,” Zelkowitz said. “This project was the perfect opportunity [to record our music] so we all signed up [for senior project].”

All projects are completed outside of South, meaning students often have to find time and space to work on their projects, which can be very difficult to navigate because many students are used to using the resources that South has to offer, Blix said.

Not being in school or having a structured day is a crucial part of senior projects, Blix said. Students learn how to navigate life and plan their days outside of a bell schedule, he added.

Senior Molly Thomas will complete a fashion-based project.

“I will create [fashion] garments based off a central [theme] that I come up with,” Thomas said.

This project will develop her fashion skills and close out a four-year fashion career at South on a positive note, Thomas said.

“Senior project is valuable because students [can] participate in something they are passionate about,” Thomas said. “[I can] show what fashion has taught me and why I love it.”