For my Capstone project, I focused on teaching younger kids about mental health. At first, I planned to make stress relief bags for teens at my school, but along the way, I realized I wanted to do something more hands-on and interactive. I decided to shift my project to focus on 5th graders instead. I created a short workshop where I talked to them about feelings, stress, and healthy ways to cope. I made special toolkits for each student that included a mini journal, a stress ball, and two worksheets I designed myself—a calm-down checklist and a feelings tracker. I presented it to a class of 5th graders, and they were really into it. They asked questions, shared their thoughts, and had fun decorating their journals. I learned that I enjoy working with younger students and that I’m capable of leading and teaching in a way that makes sense to them. I also learned how important it is to talk about mental health early and how even small tools can help. This project taught me to be flexible, creative, and confident in my ideas. I’m proud that I was able to make something that could really help someone and that I made a difference in my school community.

For my Capstone project, I focused on volunteering at the local public library to help visitors with technology. Initially, I aimed to create a website that gathered important resources, but I realized this was too big of a task given my time limits. Instead, I dedicated my efforts to assisting patrons with printing, using the photocopy machine, and navigating apps like Google Slides. This experience not only allowed me to give back to my community but also deepened my passion for technology and helping others. Through this process, I discovered that my interests lie in both technology and community service, reinforcing my desire to pursue a career in Cybersecurity. The positive feedback from library visitors motivated me to continue my work, and I learned that making technology accessible can significantly impact people’s lives.

As a senior in high school, my service learning project has been one of the most impactful and eye-opening experiences of my educational journey. For my Capstone, I chose to focus on environmental sustainability, particularly on understanding the importance of protecting our environment and community in Philadelphia. This included hands-on service learning with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, focusing on invasive species and the crucial role young people play in preserving the world around them. Looking back, I am most proud of how I was able to turn my passion for environmental care into a project that made a real difference and educated others along the way. One of the most powerful lessons I learned during this project was just how connected we are to the environment. Every decision we make, from how we dispose of trash to what we plant in our gardens, affects the health of our communities. Through working with Audubon Mid-Atlantic, I was able to participate in habitat restoration activities and learn about the challenges facing bird populations and native plants in Philadelphia. One major focus of our service was addressing invasive species, like picking up the honeysuckle with the lopper tool, which threatens native trees that birds and pollinators depend on. Before this project, I didn’t realize how dangerous a single non-native species could be. After helping to remove invasive plants and learning about how they disrupt entire ecosystems, I saw how quickly environmental damage can spread and why proactive care is so important.