Senior Comprehensives Project Samples

Each year at graduation, recipients of the Joan Johnston Senior Comprehensives Award are named. When each award is given, the recipient's name and project description are read. Below is the text, and reading it should help seniors develop projects that address their senior comprehensives issues.

Class of 2014

• SJ and TY researched the topic of math anxiety. Together they organized an event that provided information to parents on their important role in preventing math anxiety. They also provided activities to help elementary school children experience the fun side of math.

• AL researched the topic of how water scarcity particularly affects the lives of women. With the help of MS, a junior class member, AL raised awareness and money to help dig a well in Nepal that will improve the lives of women and their families.

• JM, MN and SY combined their topics to provide a fun evening for young women entitled “Girls Night In.” They provided information and alternative responses to celebrity obsessions, negative self-image and the way media’s portrayal of women has twisted how young women see themselves . The attendees left feeling empowered, informed and encouraged.

• MGN used her artistic talents and her passion to bring to light abuses in the garment industry. She shared information at her booth at Thrift Shop, where people were drawn to her display by the haunting and beautiful images.

• HS warned us of the dangers of internet addiction and presented us with alternatives through an interactive approach. She clearly demonstrated her own passion about the issue and helped us care too.

Class of 2013

• HB researched eye care in the developing world. She conducted a campaign to raise awareness and collected eye glasses both at CAJ and at her church. More people will be able to see clearly thanks to Heidi.

• IC researched euthanasia for her senior comprehensive, but her project provided a healthy and creative alternative: she organized several of her classmates to put on a variety show at a local retirement home.

• RN and MN combined their passion for education and their concern about poverty in Kenya. Their project raised funds for an organization working to alleviate these problems. They expressed their gratitude for their own education to CAJ staff and ran an informative booth at Thrift Shop selling beautiful goods hand made by Kenyan women at the Koinoia Christian Center.

• TS poured her heart into the issue of child brides. She carefully planned an event with a wedding theme for high school girls. The girls ended up having a wonderful time but were deeply impacted by Tina’s heart for girls who are robbed of their childhood and their choices.

• EB and NT both researched topics connected to depression. They helped the CAJ community relieve stress through a creative and colorful paintball toss. They overcame several obstacles to bring a sense of fun, color, and smiles to many students and staff.

Class of 2012

• DFL raised awareness among CAJ staff members about stress in the work place. His topic was karoshi (death from overwork) but he gave useful tips and information that anyone would find beneficial in their working life.

• CH and AM organized a charity concert to raise money for CRASH Japan to use in the care of those in Tohoku suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Amy wrote and recorded an original song, which she was able to offer to her audience as a download for a small donation.

• KK raised awareness among high school students about displaced children. We could see students wearing her hand-made bracelets as reminders to pray for the children who lost parents in the disaster that struck Tohoku.

• SS and BW worked together to organize a fun run for elementary students which helped them learn about healthy lifestyle choices. Healthy choices were presented as an alternative to depression and other problems that could lead to suicide (their comprehensive topic).

• WU gave an informative seminar to CAJ teachers about students who have ADHD. He taught us techniques and strategies that could be alternatives and supplements to medication and courageously shared his own experiences.

Class of 2011

• BD:
 For tackling a difficult and sensitive subject with her characteristic grace and poise in her carefully developed presentation about female genital mutilation.

• ED and KS:
 For creative and artistic responses to child labor and slavery by helping children express their dreams and sharing these with the community through their art gallery and postcard sale.

• DK:
 For providing an alternative for performance enhancing drugs through fair and fun competition by developing and running his basketball clinic.

• DV:
 For challenging us to provide clean water equity through his “wheel of misfortune” and “would you drink this?” displays.

• JW: For bringing the joy of reading to scores of CAJ families and raising funds for training teachers in Thailand through CAJ’s first family reading event .