By Staff
Echo
Grand Blanc HS
1st Place Division 1, Yearbook Verbal
Organizations Writing
JUDGING CRITERIA
- Solid lead that draws reader into story
- Meaningful student quotes that enrich story and reflect effective interviewing
- Evidence of adequate research
- Story does not center on purpose of group or simply review their activities
- Adheres to rules of good journalism including: short paragraphs, effective transitions and use of active voice, freedom from editorial comment, careful editing and proofreading to eliminate mechanical errors, correct use of grammar.
Her class project started with her best friend, belting out “Best Friend’s Brother” in the car, and found its way into The Oaks Assisted Living home. But doing karaoke with old folks was just as spontaneous and rewarding for senior Makena Welch.
“I was singing by myself,” Welch said. “Then all of the sudden everyone wanted to do it, and I started to sing duets with the senior citizens.”
The group wanted to work with seniors because it was unique compared to what the rest of the class projects were. Their goal was to give the elderly a second chance at the ideal high school experience.
“We came up with the name ‘senior squared,’” Welch said. “Which I thought was creative because we were working with senior citizens, and majority of the kids in my group are seniors.”
To achieve their goal, senior squared planned events for the residents, including senior headshots, karaoke night, a dinner catered by Pizza Mia, and a fashion show.
“We laid out a red carpet, had streamers coming down from the ceiling, and the elders walked the runway in their wheelchairs with their accessories,” Welch said. “There were all sorts of crowns, wands, and different cute things for the show they could pick from. We just wanted it to be something they would always remember.”
“The accomplishment that it feels to put something together and plan it out for so long is so rewarding,” Welch said. “My peers and I gained new experiences that you wouldn’t normally get out of a lame common core class.”