Senior Project Night at Willow Springs High School will be Thursday, April 28. The Senior Showcase will take place between 3:30 and 8:00 in The Bears Den (Storm Shelter) on the WSHS campus. The showcase gives students a chance to visit informally about their projects. Following the showcase, students will individually present their projects to a panel of judges, community members, parents, teachers, and classmates.

2010 graduate Caitlyn Wiegand presents her senior project.

The mission of the Senior Project is to allow students the opportunity to gather information, integrate academic and career/technical studies, foster an element of academic “stretch” or “risk” (growth), and develop verbal and nonverbal communication skills as they enter the work force or continue their education. It is the goal of the faculty, staff, and administration to help students showcase their growth from 13 years of education.

Students tour the Senior Showcase.

Past students of Willow Springs High have taken on projects such as starting a recycling program for the community of Willow Springs, writing a novel, and creating bio-diesel fuel. In 2010 students have tackled projects that include; creating a new athletic booster club, recording a vocal album, and two students have written the script and score for a complete musical.

The benefits of the Senior Project are obvious. 2009 graduate Dylan Carter stated, “Being judged and graded by people other than your teachers honestly helped me get a grip on what life after high school would be like. When presenting information, you have to learn to make it clear to all sorts of different people. The Senior Projects helped me prepare for life after high school.” The project is a capstone to students’ educational experience at Willow Springs and attempts to synthesize academic research, real world project scenarios, and communication skills. 2006 graduate Kiley Woodring said, “My academic advisor at College of the Ozarks told me I had good people skills…that I was one of the few students who looked her directly in the eye and wasn’t afraid that she was a stranger…I know that came directly for my whole Senior Project experience.”

A critical aspect of Senior Project Night is the community involvement. The community is invited to not only attend the showcase, but to judge the projects. If you are interested in judging or would like more information on the Senior Project, please contact Marty Spence, Senior Project Coordinator, for times availabe or visit us online at willowbears.com. Call 417-469-2114 ext. 315 or email: spencema@wspgs.com.