“The opportunities are virtually limitless. The system to be employed offers the broadest sort of curriculum, the complete freedom of individual expression,” Milton senior Sam Harrington wrote in the Orange and Blue in February 1969.
The student newspaper was announcing the faculty adoption of a concept now treasured by Milton students: the senior project. Over the last 50 years, Milton seniors have completed their coursework at the end of April, using the month of May to go “on project” to pursue a topic of their interest through research, community service, arts and performance, and shadowing professionals.
“We have some professionals who have worked with our students year after year, like Dr. [Curtis] Cetrulo ’88 at Mass General Hospital, Dr. [Gregory] Kechejian at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Milton and Irene Li ’08, who owns Mei Mei Kitchen in Boston,” says academic dean Jackie Bonenfant. “We’re always open to parents and alumni who want to share their work with our students, because it’s an opportunity for them to see what’s out there.”
Seniors embarked last week on a broad range of projects, including:
- Shadowing surgeons, restaurateurs, architects, biotech workers and other professionals.
- Developing a comprehensive app for Milton students including schedules, food menus and student activities.
- Researching the physics of soccer.
- Shadowing the Boston Celtics’ chief marketing officer.
- Creating an art show exploring the African diaspora in Boston.
- Studying sustainable residential architecture.
- Interviewing people about (then reading) the books that changed their lives.
- Filmmaking; writing, recording and performing music; writing poetry and prose; photography and more.
- Sharing Hispanic and Latino culture in Lower School Spanish classes.
- Volunteering at Boston-area shelters, schools and other Community Engagement Programs and Partnerships sites.
Senior projects culminate in performances across campus on Tuesday, June 4. A senior project fair, held in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center, will be held on Wednesday, June 5, beginning at 1:15 p.m. An opening reception for senior project artwork will be held in the Arts Commons of Kellner Performing Arts Center at 3:30 p.m. on June 5. Presentations will continue from 8:30–10:15 a.m. Thursday, June 6, prior to the Prize Assembly.
