Students project selves into careers

Lolita Harper

They had center stage and all eyes were on them. Only a panel of

judges stood between them and their future.

No, these Estancia High School seniors were not auditioning on

Thursday for some wannabe pop-star television show. They were

presenting a more realistic assessment of their talents as future

leaders -- their senior projects.

Marianna Cardenas gave her presentation on cosmetology, wowing her

audience with varied hairstyles that involved tiny strands of hair

winding and turning in artistic ways. She dressed in all black and

stood with her spine straight and hands at her side while addressing

her panel. When she was finished, Cardenas, 18, thanked them all for

attending and offered a firm handshake. As she walked out of the

room, she smiled and relaxed her shoulders.

“They were amazed that I had so much information,” Cardenas said.

“They didn’t even ask me any questions.”

English teacher Marian Dickey, who coordinated the day, said it

was the fifth year Estancia presented such a program. Each senior

needed to complete a year-long project as part of graduation

requirements, she said. The students chose a topic at the beginning

of the year, which varied from surfing to nursing, began months of

research and interviews, and did 15 hours of hands-on experience. On

Thursday, they presented their findings to a panel, of teachers and

community members, in a concise Power Point presentation.

Each presentation requires the soon-to-be graduates to address a

panel of adults in a similar manner as a job interview. It allows the

students to practice professional public speaking and learn to

present themselves in a more formal, businesslike manner.

“We encourage them to dress nicely, which is very hard for high

school students to do sometimes, but look -- they did a good job,

right?” Dickey said.

Angie Nunez took the dress code one step further, donning a white

lab coat similar to one worn by a trauma nurse, which she plans to

become. Panel members asked about her tolerance for blood and guts

and whether she could handle working odd hours.

Nunez smiled and answered confidently, “I know I can do this; I’ve

been around it so much.”

She rattled off the requirements for becoming a trauma nurse,

differentiating from the duties of working as a registered nurse.

Nunez was headed to either Golden West or Orange Coast College to

begin her career in the medical field. She also knew exactly what she

was working for.

“I know a trauma nurse makes about $50,000 a year to start,” she

said. “That’s not bad.”

In the next classroom, Eagles quarterback Brad Young had just

finished his presentation on coaching football and had a large grin

on his face.

“You’re all finished?” Dickey asked Young.

“I’m just so glad it’s done,” he answered.

Yuguensy Hernandez had a cheery outlook despite her senior project

being a “disaster.” The outgoing senior wanted to study nonprofits

for disadvantaged children but hit a brick wall. She changed her

focus to the Make-A-Wish Foundation but, again, could not accomplish

what she needed. Hernandez ended up interviewing an AIDS patient, who

was willing to fill out the necessary forms required of project

guidelines but would not reveal her name. Hernandez said she found

herself “in several dead ends.”

“My senior project helped me understand the importance of a backup

plan,” Hernandez said.

Learning life lessons, professional conduct and acquiring a sense

of accomplishment were the goals of the senior projects, Dickey said.

In two short weeks those same seniors nervously tugging at collars

and adjusting their ties will be cut loose.

“We’re so excited for them because they get to show what they have

learned,” Dickey said.