FINAL REFLECTION

Capstone has been something that was always talked about in SMSA. I’ve known about it since starting back in sixth grade, but when the time came I was not prepared at all. I feel that starting capstone in semester two, and during a pandemic was a huge disadvantage, but it shouldn’t have been. There are so many things that I could have done earlier to help prepare me for this project. Nevertheless I feel that it still had the same impact as it did the years before. Capstone has taught me so much. To say that this was just a senior project would be an understatement. It was a learning experience and a way to prepare for the real world. I have learned so much about being independent and growing up, throughout my project, that I feel like I am finally ready to graduate. For my senior capstone project I volunteered at the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen, in Vernon, CT. I went every Sunday, February to April, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. In addition to that, I held personal protective equipment drive, in school and in my neighborhood. With that I was able to collect masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial wipes, which I donated to the Cornerstone Soup kitchen. 

Throughout this project I have learned many valuable life skills that I will continue to use, like proper email etiquette, how to get a mentor, how to create a website, and most importantly how to network. Emails were a big thing because it was how I got in contact with others and how I was able to get amazing opportunities. Starting off my project there were a lot of emails between me and the director of volunteers at Cornerstone. This was the main form of communication that helped me through my project. With this I was also able to network and find my mentor, Sharon Redfern who was a director of the Cornerstone Foundation.

While I did learn many academic things, I also learned some things about myself. One big thing I learned was that it is better to ask and be turned down than not asking and wondering what the answer would have been. This is something I have struggled with because I always feared that the answer will always be no. I’m not sure if my teacher realized this, but she helped me get rid of that fear, she would always say it doesn’t hurt to ask, and she was right. Before her class, and capstone in general, I would never ask for extra help or do anything like reaching out to a stranger and asking them to be a mentor or if I could volunteer at their foundation, but now I know how much easier it makes things. Another thing I learned is that I just need to take “that first step” and everything falls into place. Sometimes it's difficult for me to get started because I don’t exactly know what my plan is and I get scared that I will start and never be able to finish. Capstone has also helped me get over this. In the beginning I was hesitant to start anything because I didn’t exactly know what I wanted to do and I didn’t want to keep switching up projects, but once I started everything fell into place. I know this may not be the case for every situation, but it was for this one.

While volunteering at the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen was a great opportunity and experience, it was not at all what I was expecting. Because of the pandemic individuals were not allowed to eat-in, instead they had to take a bagged meal and eat elsewhere. That was kind of a bummer for me because I wasn’t able to chat with them, or get to know any of them, but at the same time it was good because it allowed them to still get a meal and keep everyone safe. Serving my community was a surreal experience, while I don’t know if I had an impact on anyone, I know that they were grateful. Every person who picked up a meal was so kind and had a smile on their face, especially when they were greeted with a “Good morning” and “Have a nice day”. One of my regrets is that I didn’t start this project earlier. I feel that if I had started working on it in September or even October, there would have been more that I could have done. I would have been able to organize events or even special meals for holidays. I would have also been able to hold more drives and have more donations for Cornerstone. If I were to do it all over again I would make a plan and put in even more effort to make an impact in my community.

I know that everything I learned with my capstone project will help me in the future. It has helped me grow as a person and become more independent because it was something I had to do myself. Even though my teacher was right there beside us, she didn't hold our hands all the way. She pushed us to do stuff on our own and helped us get both our feet out of SMSA and into the real world. I feel confident enough to say that I have learned a lot and am ready for the real world, where there is no hand holding or teachers having to remind us to get things done.