On March 22, 2007, in Room 206 of the Administration Building, the first Honors Banquet took place at Seton Hill University (SHU). I�m one of the six students, who presented their Honors Capstone Project.
In 15 minutes, I showed the audience a slide show of my adventures in the Philippines. For my capstone project my ultimate goal was to translate and illustrate one of the folktales into a children’s picture book.
By Michael Diezmos,
Photo Editor
On March 22, 2007, in Room 206 of the Administration Building, the first Honors Banquet took place at Seton Hill University (SHU). I�m one of the six students, who presented their Honors Capstone Project.
In 15 minutes, I showed the audience a slide show of my adventures in the Philippines. For my capstone project my ultimate goal was to translate and illustrate one of the folktales into a children’s picture book.
When I finished, I was proud of myself for being able to speak in front of at least 80 people, and for getting one of my points across. When I heard the audience laugh at the right moment, I lost my timidity and became more confident.
The presentation is only the tip of the iceberg. I did a lot of preliminary and post-work before and after my trip. I took Publication Workshop (EL331) with Michael Arnzen, associate professor of English, to learn about the publishing world. I took Topics in World Literature (EL263) with Albert Wendland, associate professor of English, to get exposure and understanding of non-western literature. I took an oil painting class with Carol Brode, assistant professor of art.
Currently, I�m independently studying watercolors with Brode. I�m in the midst of finishing the illustrations and translations of Maria Makiling, a Filipino legend. By the end of this spring semester I will have a homemade and self-bound book.
I have been working on my capstone project for at least two years. I can just imagine the effort and work the other presenters put in their projects. Brian Blasko, a senior, shared what he learned about politics. He ran for Pa. State Representative last semester while being a SHU athlete and student.
Anne Stadler-Malisch, a senior, and juniors Danielle Schrock and Nikki Klein went to London. Ashley McKoy, a senior, taught inter-city children different aspects of the performing arts for six weeks as part of the Seton Hill Art Service Corps. She is currently working another session, where she will apply and improve upon what she learned from the first session.
My whole scholarly experience in the Honors Program cannot be summed up in one presentation. I learned from my peers� presentations, and the whole honors experience, that it is possible to integrate academics with fun interests.
To some, the humor myself and my peers included in our presentation may be too informal, but we were trying to inspire students in the Honors Program and give them ideas for their own capstone project.
View this writer’s profile.