The Senior Project at MVHS is a self-guided decision-making tool to aid students in determining their path after high school. Whether the final plan is to join the military, go to college, or join the workforce, the Project is designed to ensure the students have the tools and resources to make an informed decision and reach their goals.

The Project is divided into four sections. It is designed to be sequential - do section one first, then section 2, and so on. Graduates will be required to take a College & Career Readiness class, during which they will complete their Senior Project.

The instructions are the starting point, and here is a checklist to help keep you on track.

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom" ~Aristotle

With that, the Senior Project starts by giving you the opportunity to know yourself a bit better. The following requirements are intended to help you determine who you are, what has helped you become that person, and where you want to go.

The following elements are required:

• SWOT Analysis

• SMART Goals

• Personal Evaluation

• Action Plan A

• "Introducing . . . Me" Essay

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great and the only way to do great work is to love what you do." ~Steve Jobs

This section is intended to guide you through exploring careers - both in what you already have an interest as well as in careers you may not have considered. The idea is that you will gain some knowledge and experience and be prepared to make an educated decision about the path you will take after high school.

The following elements are required:

• Career Cluster Inventory

• Reality Check

• Military Exploration Worksheet

• College Comparison Worksheet

• FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed on your own or during one of the structured FAFSA Nights at MVHS. If you want to get started, simply go to www.FAFSA.gov. Annie and Amy will announce dates and times for the evenings when you can come in for help completing the form.

• Job Shadowing & Career Exploration Worksheet

• Community Service

Every Senior will be required to serve their community for a total of 5 hours for the Senior Project. There will be structured Service Days during school; if students are not able to participate on those structured days, they will need to identify a service opportunity of their own.

"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions." ~Stephen Covey

This is the point in which you are to make a decision, to determine a path for yourself. Sometimes we find the path we thought we wanted, isn't truly what is best for us. Sometimes, the best choice has been in front of us the whole time. This is a big decision and don't brush it off. This could be the very step that determines the rest of your life.

The following elements are required:

• Sample Application

• Cover Letter & Resume

The Cover Letter and Resume will be completed as part of course assignments in English 12 and/or Consumer Economics

• Letters of Recommendation

• Action Plan B

Then there are path-specific activities you must complete, depending on which path you choose for yourself.

Military Path

• Recruiter Consultation

• MEPS Activities

College Path

• College Application

• Scholarship Application

• Registration Worksheet

Workforce Path

• Job Application Packet OR

• Workplace Verification Worksheet

• Job Research Sheet

• Should high school students have part time jobs? Why or Why not?

"Sometimes it is the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination." ~Drake

The Senior Project Presentation is the opportunity to demonstrate accomplishments and share both your journey and your plans. It is the culmination of the project, and the celebration of what is to come.

The following elements are required:

• Senior Project Paper

• Senior Project Presentation

• Public Open House

• Senior Project Interview

Students must present their completed portfolio and presentation to an interview panel, and be prepared to answer questions regarding their project and plans for their future.