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Caroline Arangio
Mrs. Shortal
Independent Inquiry, Period 6
21 May 2021
Project Reflection
With Covid-19 among us, life completely changed and it became vital that we learn to
adjust to a completely new “normal”. However, this is easier said than done. Online learning
kept us apart and distant. It is so hard to not feel alone when everyone is physically separated
from their peers. Therefore, my goal through a self-designed project was to bring people together
in a time when we could not be physically together. So, I created a survey where I could learn
about many high schooler’s unique experiences with isolation and quarantine. Through this
survey, I hoped to give high schoolers an outlet where they could feel heard and understood. The
results of my survey were then expressed on a self-designed website where I also shared more
voices through the form of a podcast. The combination of the survey and podcast provide a place
where high school students, even those who did not actively participate in the podcast or survey,
can come and feel less alone. Therefore, my project demonstrates the Holy Cross Values of
bringing hope and celebrating family. My project calls me to support high school students whose
lives have changed immensely since the beginning of pandemic and school closure in March
2020. Moreover, my project also demonstrates the Saint Francis graduation outcome of
recognizing and respecting the dignity of the human person, and responding to the call to love
and serve in the tradition of Catholic moral and social teaching. As well as the Saint Francis
graduation outcome of serving the community by reaching out to those most in need.
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Working on a self-designed project in independent inquiry has been one of the most
unique and transformative learning experiences that I have ever had. I was left to be resourceful
and proactive. During the beginning phases of the project, I did a great amount of research,
simply trying to find a topic that I would be passionate enough about to pursue it over the rest of
the school year. Eventually, I came to the consensus that I had a strong desire to relate my project
to the unusual circumstances we were in due to Covid-19. I knew I wanted to create a survey, but
how was I going to do it? I had no prior knowledge of survey making, thus I began research. I
had to look through numerous sources to educate myself on survey design and distribution
techniques. I also used the help of some of the resources I had immediately available, one of
them being my mom who has had a great deal of experience creating surveys throughout her
time in residency. Over the course of the project, I learned how to determine whether or not a
source is credible and useful.
Originally starting my project, I fully expected it to be based on something related to
science. Although, through my own experiences, I found a strong desire to connect with my
community in a more personal way. So, I based it around the current state of life in the
pandemic. I feel that I successfully accomplished what I set out to do. I created an outlet where
highschool students can come to feel supported and less alone. I believe that hearing other
people’s experiences can help to assure other highschool students who are struggling with
feelings of loneliness that they are not alone. Since my project consists of a podcast, I plan to
continue it for the time being because there are so many valuable stories that deserve to be
shared. I faced challenges guiding myself throughout this project. Since it was in my hands what
I chose to do and create, that left me with great responsibility. At times, it was definitely a
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struggle to lead myself through the process. What helped me overcome obstacles was the pure
passion that I had for my topic. I found excitement in the freedom that came with this project.
There was so much room for curiosity and creativity. I can also find comfort in the thought that
my project can help even just one person who is struggling. I have always thought that I disliked
open structure, but I learned that it is vital for my own growth. I learned that the ability to think
without limits provides me the chance to optimize my strengths.