FINAL PRESENTATION!!!

It has all come to an end.

I woke up the morning of my presentation and I wasn't freaking out. As 5th period grew closer, I still wasn't getting nervous. Teachers asked me how I was doing - nope, still not nervous. What was wrong with me?! Why wasn't I getting nervous?? Weird. That has never happened before, but hey I'll take it!! It was time to present and I remained calm throughout the entire presentation. Well, one slide I freaked out and didn't explain it as thorough as I did in my rehearsal but I covered it at the end of the presentation when a classmate asked a question. People seemed really interested in the presentation - more so than I imagined. Usually everyone has this glazed look on their face but as I looked at my audience (yes I made eye contact with them, instead of staring at the wall as I did in my rehersal!!) they all seemed like they were paying attention and seemed "active" as to what was going on. I tried to relate to my audience - for example I shared with them how at one point I WAS almost in tears because I hit a "bump in the road", shared with them how nervous I used to get (I would get myself worked up to the point where I would feel sick or even like crying), how at the beginning of this process as a senior I had NO IDEA what I wanted to major in college for, what I wanted to do. I think by sharing and incorporating personal stories/experiences it makes it more interesting then to just state facts and talk AT them instead of talking TO them. Overall I believe it went really well. After the presentation the teachers seemed to enjoy my topic and what I did, as well as students. Students came up to me for the rest of that afternoon and said I did a good job and "I'm glad I was in your presentation", they said it was interesting and that the 2 articles I gave them were good and they were taking them home to keep. It was also neat to hear as I was walking in the hallway to a class I'd over hear conversations:
"Whose senior exhibit were you in?"
I was in Lauren's it was actually interesting and helpful!
Hearing something like that really makes me feel good about my topic and what/how I presented. I can't wait to find out my grade - hopefully it's good!

Finally I have completed the Senior Exhibit process. Now I just have exams. Then...,
Graduation.

Rehersal

"AHHHH"
Is exactly what I was thinking when I woke up on the morning of my rehearsal. I was getting nervous, HOWEVER not as nervous as I used to. That is one great thing about this project that I have come to greatly appreciate. This project as well as help/support from Mrs.Nobles and Mr. Eckerson have really gotten me to overcome my fear of presenting. We talked about how far I have come since even JUST the beginning of the year ... -FINALLY! I thought my rehearsal went well, they gave me great advice to use to enhance my final presentation.

Third Luncheon

My third luncheon was an author/speech writer. Very well known, his clients include Arnold Swarchenegger and Reagan - he also has some published books. I think this minor detail is what grabbed the attention of many and we had a great turn out. The students learned about speech writing - you have to get to know the person, use persuasion, make it interesting/appealing, gear it to your audience, get to know your client and how they think/write...etc. Many asked interesting questions.

Through these three visits, there have been a few common points made. One, study/do what you love and have interest in. Two, you don't necessarily have to major in your interest. For example, Dr. Wicker said NOT to major in Chemistry/Biology if your trying to become a doctor. Because when you go to medical school you'll cover that in a matter of 2 weeks. Instead pick something that your interested in, something different - because the fact is..you can't impress medical professors about knowledge of bio/chem they know ALL about that - so why not impress them with something they AREN'T familiar with?

Seond Luncheon

PHEW! The first one was over, so now I knew what to expect. Now before this meeting, Mrs. Nobles and I sat down prior to the meeting time and looked at the schedules of those who signed up - to make sure we were positive that they had a free period, and if not they needed to talk to their teachers.

My second luncheon was an elementary school teacher. I was really excited to take part of this luncheon because this is the career that I am interested in pursuing. (***NOT that I'm don't enjoy learning about other careers that are out there! :-) )

This one was a lot less stressful, I KNEW that people WERE going to be there! The meeting went well, student's asked questions and learned some of the characteristics that you have to have to be a teacher ... ahem, PATIENCE... as well as they also learned about pros and cons, and the "daily life" of a teacher.

First Luncheon

My first scheduled luncheon was a Doctor.

Now let me back up a bit. Earlier, when presenting my project, I asked everyone to bring their schedule to they could check which day it was - and if they had class. So they could make sure they could come before signing up. I was thinking ahead, well so I thought.

The night before, I sent a reminder email saying what it was, time, and location. Everything they needed.

The big day came. A period before, they started "dropping like flies". One by one they came and said "I am so sorry, but I have class, so I won't be able to come". I was alright with the first one, the seconds person was totally understandable - she went home sick. But then I was down to two people (besides myself) ... the Doctors daughter and another student. I ran into Mrs. Nobles a major stress case. "AH I don't know what to do!" I think if I remember correctly I was almost in tears - I mean this falls on me, and it's not like I didn't try ...so in the end it makes ME look bad. However Mrs. Nobles came to the rescue and talk to a teacher and received permission for two of her students to miss class for this.

All in all, the luncheon went over well. I think the small group that I DID have enjoyed it, and learned a thing or two - I know I did!

Talk about a bump in the road...

Update

Its been quite awhile that I have updated my blog, yikes! Everything just seems to happen at once - and sadly, somethings get left in the dust.

Since my last entry I have done A LOT of work on my senior exhibit. After meeting with Mrs. Nobles, we chose the 5 people, we met again looked at the Juniors and Seniors free periods on certain days - the ones that had the larger turn out were the days that we chose to offer times. Then, I spent time calling and e-mailing my 5 representatives for each career. After getting in contact, explaining my project and hopes - I sent them an email asking them to chose which would work best for them. After finally receiving replies from everyone everything was set!

The next step to this was to meet with Mr. Durso to reserve a "meetings period" to present my idea to the Junior and Senior Class, and have sign ups. After we set a date...I seemed to hit my first "bump in the road" so to speak. We had a snow day!!!!! :) As much as I DIDN'T want to face my fear ((PUBLIC SPEAKING)) I just wanted to get it over with and for everything to run smoothly. I was starting to panic because, "what was I going to do?? My first career luncheon was on Monday!!" Luckily I still got my meeting time on Friday. Sure enough, I hit there was no way for me to project my presentation (which I had designed so people could HEAR and SEE ... and to make it less boring!) But I just had to go with the flow. I was SO nervous because as everyone knows I get very anxious when i have to talk in front of people - whether it consists of a small English class filled with 8 people -- or 2 grade levels....it doesn't matter. Just seeing all those eyes glaring at you. What are they thinking? Are they even listening to me? Am I being clear? Am I making sense? Are they interested in what I am talking about? Are they judging me? Same questions race through my head every time. There was no way around it though. This time however I must say, I wasn't nervous at all during the day as I waited for 5th period to come - I got nervous as soon as I stood up - but not NEAR as much as I used to! Which is a step in the right direction. After presenting I received a lot of positive feedback. Which gave me more confidence. Everyone thought it was such a great idea!

I have to go to work now!! I will add more later about the meetings that have already happened and how they have gone...

More Journal Entries

#5
Today we had our first senior exhibit meeting with Mr. Eckerson. I think this is a really great idea because it’s a structured time, that is specifically designated for our project. It will help keep my on track and organized through this long process. During this time I also learned that we would be giving mini 5 minute presentations and we would be filmed so that we can see what we did or didn’t do – which will help us have a better final presentation.

#6
After our last meeting and speaking with Mr. Eckerson and Mrs. Nobles I decided to create surveys to help me pick out the right careers that people are interested in that way they come to the luncheons! What we finally decided on doing is: having 5 people representing different careers come in and have a luncheon and juniors/seniors will be able to attend and have the chance to ask questions and learn about something they are possibly interested in pursuing as they get older. Before hand, during a community meeting I will make a slideshow presentation giving them some background knowledge on the 5 careers I chose and then they students will be able to pick from that and they can sign up if they choose so. I will also ask them to come prepared with questions to ask during the luncheon.

#7
Today was our first day that we had to give our “5 minute update”, and I was so nervous! However when I got up there I was fine, which shows that I am becoming more comfortable talking in front of people. I wish I would have come more prepared, however I presented what I had and talked about my project pretty well. Next time I will make a powerpoint of my progress and present that. After this meeting I realized that I really need to get going on this project, I need to become more motivated and start!

#8
I met with Mrs. Nobles again after the surveys were completed. It was interesting to see what all the common interests were: actors, authors, different types of doctors, lawyer, education, etc. There were many great interests PLUS the one’s that I would love to come in that it is going to be hard to narrow it down to 5! But once I do that I will send that to Mrs. Nobles – then Mrs.Nobles, Mr.Eckerson and I will sit down and gather names and numbers of people that I should call.

#9
Today I narrowed my careers down! The five that I ended up choosing are an author, doctor, lawyer, elementary school teacher, and a dietician. There were so many interests and I wish I could do them all, but I just don’t have enough time! I’m really excited about getting this done.

#10
Ugh, I haven’t been working on my senior exhibit. I really need to get the ball rolling on this. I need to figure out 5 times that Juniors and Seniors could sign up and come to the luncheon then reserve them and get the word out. I also need to talk to the people that I am going to be interviewing and research information to make my presentation to get people interested in. Basically I just had an epiphany and realized that I am getting behind on things and I really need to step it up.