Each year, Class I students may commit their final weeks at Milton to completing a “Senior Project.” Students who are interested must submit research plans in early winter. A committee of faculty decides which projects to approve, and each student aligns his endeavor with a member of the faculty or staff for support. Students in the Class of 2015 chose topics that range from aviation to religion, from engineering medical devices to studying social justice. Students will paint, garden, sew, prepare concerts and recitals, shadow doctors, coach hockey, learn instruments and languages, and volunteer at a range of sites. Some students complete one full project and others split their time between two half projects.
For his senior project, Shaheen Bharwani is planning to track news in international affairs with a particular focus on topics related to Islam and Muslims.
“As a Muslim, I am deeply affected by the representation of my faith in the media,” says Shaheen. “The actions of religious extremists, and what I believe to be a skewed representation in the media affect my daily life by influencing the views of my friends, neighbors and colleagues. This has motivated me to undertake media mapping as my project. I hope to gain a fuller picture of how the media represents Islam and identify ways in which the media’s sensationalistic and simplistic representation can be broadened to encompass a civilizational and humanistic approach to topics related to Islam and Muslim societies.”
Ian Kennedy (I) is recording a neo-soul album with Miles Awofala (I) for one half-project, and for the other half-project he is setting climbing routes on the rock wall in the Robert Saltonstall Gym with Colby Parsons (I).
“Colby and I will set many different routes of varying difficulty and style, and do a general investigation into the art of route setting and rock climbing as a whole,” says Ian. “We will climb at Rock Spot every Thursday and talk with the route setters there for tips, as well as climbing and setting every other day of the week. I chose this project because I fell in love with climbing this year and became obsessed with setting routes. I hope to set more interesting and fun routes, as well as become a better and stronger climber.”
Gianna Beniers (I) will intern at a pediatric dentist for approximately 20 hours per week for one half-project and her second project is called, “Making Music for Those Who Need it Most.”
“For this project, I am collaborating with two of my friends who share my passion for music,” says Gianna. “Together, we are putting together a musical program that we will perform at elderly homes, preschools and hospitals each week. This project is rewarding in many ways—I get to spend time singing with my friends, and at the same time sharing the gift of music with those who need it most.”
During the week before graduation, students present their projects to faculty and all students. Sharing in this celebration of completed, highly personal work is a favorite Milton Academy tradition.
