Progress+Reports

10/27

I feel as though I've made a fair amount of progress. I've written four pages of the rough draft of the paper. By the end of class, I plan to have finished the entire first draft. I know what I'm going to do for my project--I'm going to conduct interviews with swimmers of all ages and ask them questions concerning their athletic and social lives, as well as the presence of negative influences in their lives. I'm debating whether its inappropriate to ask students about their academics since their peers are going to be watching the film. I have been thinking about doing an anonymous survey which would elimate that awkward interaction.

I'm wondering if its alright if my project is focused on one sport (swimming), though my thesis is focused on athletics in general. If I focus on one sport, I'll be able to interview athletes of all ages. Whats more helpful, though, is that my coaches and friends who have graduated high school/college will be able to assist me in any way. If I focused on more than one sport, it wouldn't be as in depth and I wouldn't have these resources available to me.

11/1 (for 11/2)

I haven't made a significant amount of progress since I last reflected on it, but not much time has elapsed either. The first SAC meet is this weekend and I plan on easing into my project my interviewing a friend who is on the team, is my age, and will understand any first-time interview troubles I come to. This way I will be able to adjust and refine my skills with a patient, understanding, level-headed accomplice as opposed to a loud ankle-biter with a three minute attention span. Now, don't take that the wrong way. Honestly, my patience moreso resembles the latter.

for 11/30

So I have all of my interview questions, I just need to start filming at SAC meets. Minor problems and setbacks have occurred, like my dad breaking the family video camera and suggesting that I use his phone to film instead. So, I'm going to ask Mr. Meder for a camera and I can film my peers at practice and start putting together my power point!

for 12/14

So, I've made a fair amount of progress. I am meeting with Mr. Meder after school tomorrow to talk about using a camera for interviews. I tried to catch him twice last week but he was in meetings. I'm a magnet for bad timing. I took a lot of pictures at the two swim meets we had Saturday for possible slide photos, and also talked to Springfield Township High School alum Dan Bell. Dan is a SAC swim coach and was advising me about interviews, who to focus on, et cetera. It was very helpful. Dan made sure to point out the close knit group of eighth grade girls on our team, some of whom would not participate at all were it not for the supportive environment and ability to spend more time with their friends. Good point well made. Thanks Dan!

for 12/22

Hello, wiki. So I have appointments all set up with my interview-ees and they will all take place over the break, probably the Monday after Christmas. I basically know everything that I'm going to say in my speech, but I plan on writing it all out and weaving in my personal experiences. I'll give the written version of my speech to my mom and I'll try to present it to her from memory. I can't wait to tie up all these loose ends and present, the anxiety is killing me. Instead of the ghost of Christmas past haunting me while I'm trying to fall asleep this Thursday, thoughts of presenting my senior sem will plague my restless mind. At least I don't have to go first, like Evan!