An Experimental Send-Off For Seniors

As part of Abington Friends School’s commitment to experiential learning, all seniors complete a capstone project. Often, but not always taking the form of an internship, this project gives seniors a chance to dip their toes into the professional world, teaching them relevant skills such as resume writing. 

Adena Dershowitz, Director of the Fourth Century Center and Experiential Learning, discussed the capstone program at AFS. She finds the most enjoyable aspect of leading Capstones is getting to know students better through their projects, which often tap into their personal passions. The most frustrating part is dealing with students who struggle with deadlines. 

Dershowitz said, “The Capstone process is intended to mirror other processes that students will find in the outside world after AFS, so … deadlines are important.” 

Even if it sometimes presents a challenge to students, senior Sam Calandra-Jayne ‘26 listed “meeting deadlines” as one of the important skills capstones teach. 

Calandra-Jayne said, “The point of the capstone…is to learn things that you can take later into life, whether it’s working on the resume… or meeting hard deadlines or setting up meetings and being proactive, I think that’s all stuff that we can take into life in college and after college.” 

Elaborating on Calandra-Jayne’s point, Emma Fryer ‘26 said; “I think it’s important to learn to do other things… because we’ve only been at school. So getting out in the real world and getting new experiences to put on your resume is important.” 

While practical skill-building is at its core, Capstones allows seniors to have fun while they do it. Calandra-Jayne, who has not started his project yet, said, “I think the most fun is thinking about what I’m going to do, and that I am really excited about that.”

 For his project, Calandra-Jayne will be working with motorcycle engines under the mentorship of a friend’s father, who holds a managerial position at the car parts company Million Mile Sprinter in Philadelphia. 

The benefit of projects like a capstone has also been documented beyond AFS. The National Society of High School Scholars emphasizes networking opportunities and demonstrated commitment to the field of study as advantages afforded by participation in internships or similar programs in high school. 

Additionally, it claims that experiential programs such as these may aid the shortcomings of a generation raised in the digital age, writing, “…many students are lacking …communication skills. So much coursework is done electronically, even when students are attending school in person. High school students may possess very good writing skills but often lack effective interpersonal communication and public speaking skills. High school internships strengthen these competencies.”

 By incorporating internships or similar experiences into the curriculum, AFS facilitates students reaping these benefits.