SENIOR PROJECT SELF-EVALUATION

Directions: Utilize this worksheet to help evaluate yourself and your project. Be as complete and
descriptive as possible. This self-evaluation should give the scoring team and your teacher a clear
picture of what you accomplished in your project.

Name - Lanessa Benson Project Start Date – January 30, 2019

Title of Project - Unlocked: The Key to Limiting Suicide and Depression Among Youth

Project Completion Date - March 16, 2019

1. In 40 words or more describe who your project benefited and how. In other words, what was the
impact of your project? Be specific.

My project benefited people who are in need of help and fighting depression and people who want help
their friends and family struggling with depression. Even if they don't fall into those categories the event
really was beneficial to everyone who came because it ended up lifting people’s spirits and put smiles on
their faces.

2. In at least 40 words explain how the project challenged you. How was this a stretch for you? Be
honest. If it was not really a stretch for you, explain why you chose not to take the opportunity to
challenge yourself.

This project was challenging for me because I have never tried to host an event, and change
something that is much bigger than myself. I was very uncomfortable with reaching out, and asking
people to do task for me, but to get the project done that is something that had to be done. I emailed
and called so many people trying to find guest speakers, role-playing groups, and teachers willing
to give extra credit for the event. I have been in charge of things before, but nothing of this
magnitude. I had about eight people volunteering for me not including the dancers and I was in
charge of keeping all of them check.
3. List and then describe 5-8 fundamental ideas/concepts/skills of your project, which you
learned/enhanced during your project. If you cannot think of 5-8, just list and describe what you
can.

Patience: I has to enhance my patience skills because there was a lot more rejection than there was
people willing to do my event and I had to learn not to get frustrated and just keep trying till
something worked out. Also I was working with eight middle and high schoolers and it was not
easy trying to get them to see me as an authority figure. However, once they realized how serious
the event was they started to listen.
Communication: I had to enhance my communication skills because I had to be able to convey
what I was trying to do for my program over the phone and through email. People weren't always
understanding what I was trying to do, but after explaining it
Leadership: People were looking for me for answers and I had to be the one the answer at all times
and if I didn’t know I had to find out as soon as possible. I didn’t have anybody to turn to and ask
what the answer to the question was.
How to keep a crowd engaged: Even though my issue was solemn I did not want the people who
attended my project to be sad or feel as if they couldn't have a good time because it was a serious
issue. Being able to allow participants to have fun, learn, and stay engaged throughout.
Procrastination: Procrastination is one of the biggest issues I face everyday, so making a to-do
list every week of what I need to get done really helped me overcome my procrastination for this
project.

4. List and describe 4-8 problems/obstacles/issues you encountered in your project, and briefly
describe how you solved each. If you cannot think of 4-8, just list and describe what you can. If
you did not solve the problem, then tell why.

One of the biggest challenges was trying to find a group to conduct the role-playing scenarios.
After asking about 5 companies and youth groups could they participate in my program and getting
 the answer no from all 5 I had to resort to asking my mentor and dance coach. However, she did a
flawless job and I was thankful for her willingness. Another problem I faced was finding another
guest speaker. I called about 10 people trying to find a third guest speaker. I wasn’t hearing back
from anybody, so I stuck with the two guest speakers I already had and they did great. I struggled
with keeping the people helping me focused, so I had to negotiate with them in a sense. I would
have to say “let’s just finish this part and we can take a break and socialize” in order to motivate
everyone to keep going. On the day of the church I was hosting my event at told me I could not
use one of the rooms I had planned to because they were decorating for a different event. I had
to quickly figure out where that station was going to move and arrange the room accordingly about
an hour before the event started. It turned out fine and allowed people to move around the church
a bit more.

5. List all people who helped you on the project and briefly describe the help given.

Yolanda Young: Let me hold practices for the event during what would usually be our dance practicies
and she ran the roleplaying station.
Primas Paige: Was the first person I told the event about and jumped on board and helped me go through
the steps to obtain the venue.
Caroline Van Schenck: Made the logo for the event.
Jennifer Hill: As my project consultant she helped me through the process of planning the event and gave
me ideas to help the project prosper.
Lovie Lamell-Kay and Zach Coltrain: They ran the Icebreaker Station.
Asia Owens and Adrienne Tomao: Guest Speakers for the event.
Luani Malenda, Andrea Parker, Mahogany Lindsay: Ran the dance station.
Shalanda Vick: Photographer

6. How does your completed project compare to the picture you had in mind when you started the
project? Explain the reason behind any changes from your proposal.

My project was better than what I originally thought it was going to be.
When I was originally planning the project I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted, but I did know I wanted
a role-playing group. The role-playing group is the one thing I didn’t get, but many people reported that
 Ms. Young did really well and there could not have been a better person running the station. In the end
I was grateful for all the rejections I had received.

7. If given the opportunity, explain what you would have done differently now that you speak had
planned from experience?

I wouldn’t have done anything differently because every triumph and rejection made the project the success
it was and it allowed me to grow as a person.

8. Beyond the project itself, what did you learn about yourself? What did you get out of the experience
in terms of personal growth?
I learned that I can create something that is bigger than myself and that I’m determined. Even though my
project is completed, I am still working towards the program being implemented into schools. I also realized
just how passionate I was about the issue. I knew that I cared about it, but the more I worked on the project
the more passionate I became and the harder I wanted to work on the program.

9. Reflecting on the total amount of time and effort that you put into this opportunity, and reflecting
on the overall quality of the final product, what grade would you give yourself on the project? Be
honest with yourself! Justify the evaluation of your grade in at least 25 words.
Grade: A

Justification: I believe the success of the project and the work I put in to make it success deserve an
“A.” Creating a program where people can discuss a serious issue in a fun way is the goal I wanted a
achieve and I believe I did that.