Seniors at Statesboro High are required to take on a community service project during their final year. Statesboro Herald correspondent Roger Allen worked with the school to gather information on the senior projects completed during the spring. Allen also looked more closely at three of the projects.
Kristina Bonham: Ronald McDonald House
Kristina Bonham just completed her senior year at Statesboro High and she is not your typical Bulloch County student.
Kristina was born in Russia, and was adopted by her parents, Steve Bonham and Kathy Reagan, at the age of 8. She has lived in Statesboro ever since.
She has three brothers: Alex, who is 17 and a rising senior at SHS; Sam, who is 21 and lives in Washington state; and Russ, who is a student at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah.
Kristina has many talents, one of which is her ability to run fast. As such, she was part of the cross-country track team her whole career at SHS, and was co-captain her senior year.
Kristina is also a National Honor Society graduate, having taken numerous Honors courses at SHS along with Advanced Placement Biology.
She chose to do her senior project on the “Ronald McDonald House” which is attached to Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah.
For the project, she focused on the positive outcomes at the house, which helps families with children battling cancer. In order to learn about its day-to-day functions, Kristina volunteered to work at the Ronald McDonald House, there she worked alongside Carol Boyd, the volunteer coordinator.
Boyd said of Bonham, “Kristina was one of the hardest-working and tireless people we have ever had help out at the house. She did everything she was asked to do and much more. On top of that, she was ever so kind and compassionate to our patients, all of whom are very ill.”
Kristina participated in the very-first-ever “Red Shoes Run” fundraiser at the Savannah house. According to Bonham, there were games, food, and fun for everyone. The event was attended by thousands of people, and raised over $20,000 to support the Savannah house.
She then wrote a research paper, in which she shared the results of her study. Two of the most important are that the Ronald McDonald House provides easy access for the families of sick children, and that the house gives the families of those children their own personal space while they are away from home.
She plans to attend East Georgia College at Georgia Southern University at first, and then transfer to Armstrong Atlantic State University where she wants to enter the Pediatric Nursing program.
Her dream, she says, is to get married, begin raising a family, and adopt another young girl from the same orphanage in Russia from whence she came.
Rachel Nevil: Dangers of Underage Drinking
As a young Christian, Rachel Nevil said she chose to do her senior project on the “Dangers of Underage Drinking in a College Community.”
Raised by her parents, Jill and Jamie Nevil, Rachel has two brothers: Samuel, age 5; and James, age 13. They live out towards Register.
In her four years at Statesboro High, Nevil has been on the school’s tennis team, and was captain for her senior season. She also won the award as most valuable player on the team.
Academically, Nevil is a National Honors Society graduate, and has taken four Advanced Placement courses: U.S. and World History; Language, and Literature.
Her senior project entailed doing a lot of research on underage drinking at colleges.
Nevil said, “I figured it would be a good idea to prepare a presentation that would warn the seniors what could happen to them if they went off to college without having given their safety some thought. I knew that drinking was a problem, but even I didn't know just how bad it was.”
Nevil wrote a research paper, and gave a PowerPoint presentation to a gathering of some 100 SHS seniors. The outcomes Nevil reported on were both astonishing and very disturbing.
They included the facts about college drinking that while intoxicated: 696,000 were assaulted; 97,000 were victims of date rape; 599,000 were injured; and 400,000 admitted having unprotected sex. Finally, she reported that 1,700 students died because of being intoxicated.
Nevil even arranged for a special speaker for the presentation. Ron Huckaby, Special Agent in Charge of the Savannah District of the Georgia Department of Revenue's Alcohol and Tobacco Division.
Huckaby dispelled a number of popular misconceptions about being arrested for “Driving Under The Influence” (or “DUI'”). One of them was that the record of arrests for drinking when you are underage would be permanently erased from your police record when you become 18 years of age.
He then warned students that after you get two “DUI's”, the third “DUI” becomes an “aggravated misdemeanor” with up to 12 months in jail, and the fourth “DUI” becomes a felony, which requires between one and five years of prison time.
Nevil said she will attend the University of Georgia, where she expects to pursue a degree in pharmacology in the university's College of Pharmacy.
Benjamin Taylor: African American Poetry
Benjamin Taylor just completed his senior year at Statesboro High School. He said his mom, Danita Chenault, who is one of the Evangelists at Mission Outreach Industries in Statesboro, has played a pivotal role in his life.
He has an older sister, Shakena, who works at East Georgia Regional Medical Center, and an older brother, Anthony, who is a senior in business management at Georgia Southern University.
Born in Orlando, Benjamin's family moved to Statesboro in 1999. Taylor was a standout football defensive end and tackle and was named to the All-Region football team in 2009.
Academically, he is an Honor Roll student. Taylor said he became fascinated with Geology while taking courses at SHS and especially liked studying Earth Sciences.
Taylor started writing poetry at a very young age, when, as he put I, “I was old enough to pick up a pen.”
He said that most of his poetry is based on the story of his life's struggles and his experiences.
Taylor chose for his senior project the subject of African American Poetry. He first designed a poster and then wrote an in-depth research paper on the subject of Black Poetry.
Then, he set up a performance with students at William James Middle School, where he shared his poetry set to music with classes of sixth grade students. Taylor's work was so popular he has been invited back several times to perform to other classes of students.
When he decided to play an instrument he first started playing the piano, but quickly changed to playing the guitar and the drums. Taylor said he really prefers playing the guitar most of all.
He began writing his own music, and put his poems to music. Eventually, he grew confident enough to mix both of his talents and perform at his church. He just started visiting other area churches to share his story.
He sings a “Gospel Rap,” in which he shares his life's struggles mixed with a message of hope and a deep abiding faith in God.
Lately, Taylor said has been going online to the “Glogster” website, where he regularly posts his latest work and awaits peoples' comments.
Statesboro High Senior Projects
Alex Acosta
The Advantage of Music as an Extra-Curricular Activity
Lakesha Allen
Teenage Obesity
Candace Anthonty
The evolution of forensic science in crime scene investigations
Katelyn Bailey
The dangers of sexting/video discussing the dangers of sexting
Matt Beaudoin
A comparison of Western and Eastern Religions
Leeana Besser
No-kill animal shelters/ presentation of information to the Bulloch Co. Animal Shelter
NoraA Billups
The history of vampires in film and literature / showing changes of the image of vampires
Casey Blackburn
The effectiveness of Rehab for the Addict
Tyler Blanchard
The History of Guitar Making
Nicole Blaylock
Future planning for the autistic student
Kristina Bonham
The Ronald McDonald House
Adrian Bowen
The effect of Hip-Hop on the youth of today / web blog and video blog
Christopher Bowens
How to Select the Right Bike
Elisabeth Bowling
Human trafficking in the sex industry / website warning of dangers
Rahem Brack
School violence in Georgia / tri-board
Amber Braswell
Irish traditions and customs / cooking a traditional meal
Darren Brinson
Sports and discipline/talking to athletes about how athletics shapes a person's life
Breanna Brown
Breast Cancer Awareness
Felicia Brown
How high school drop-outs affect the community /share info with advisement group
Tevin Burke
African-American inventors / powerpoint for history class
Laci Bustle
Paranormal Activity in Charleston, SC
Tia Butler
Breast cancer prevention and awareness / powerpoint for health classes
Tony Byrd
The Great Depression Compared to Our Present Economic Status
Brittiny Calles
Why African American Women Have the Highest Rate of AIDS
Zachary Campbell
The effects of the church in a community
Candace Canty
Poverty's influence on the formation of gangs/videotaped interview with the police chief
Jose Carrasquillo
How video games affect society/website with discussion forum
Devin Cela
Surviving ADHD
Cassius Childers
Teen suicide / classroom presentation with powerpoint
Carolina Classens
Should cults be considered religions? / presentation to history classes
Candice Cone
Media Violence
Eric Cone
The effects of HIV/AIDS/powerpoint
Todd Cone
Childhood obesity at the local, state and national levels / Work with CHILD organization
Galen Costomiris
The moral implications of the invasion of Iwo Jima / recording oral histories of veterans
Rachel Crawford
Becoming a Band Director
Tiffany Deal
Multiracial Adoptions
Jennifer Deloach
Breast Cancer: Its Emotional Effects
Kelley Dessommes
Political turmoil in Somalia/ powerpoint
Victoria Digiorgio
Senioritis: How to Defeat It
Chanel Dilworth
Child Abduction
James Dixon
How Having a Job Affects Teen Grades
William Doxey
How to Choose the Best Car
Haley Drake
The Death Penalty
Cristin Durden
C.O.P.S (Concerns of Police Survivors)
Elliot Edwards
Skills and traits of a conductor/ will take conducting lessons
Christian Elliot
ATTENDS PLC
Charles Emert
Greyhound abuse/ adoption of greyhound
Quiesha Evans
How the Brain is affected by drugs
Matthew Eziashi
The Effects of Playing Video Games
Anissa Fetzer
Domestic Violence
Kaitlyn Fischer
Early detection / website for early detection
Kelly Fischer
Domestic violence/collections for the local women's shelter
To'Quansha Floyd
How Single Parent families affect children
Ryan Foskey
Child Abuse
James Fraley
Restaurant Food Preparation and Safety
Lacy Greenway
The Many Sides of Pageantry
Angela Griffen
The psychological effects of child abuse / presentation to classes
Philip Hagan
Process analysis of restoration of 1967 Mustang / restoration of car
Martaveous Hamilton
Child Abuse
Laquita Harvard
Dog fighting / powerpoint for classes in school to show results of dog fighting
Andrew Hendrix
Choosing the Right Guitar
Traci Hendrix
Tattoos and the workplace / web site and blog
Dustin Herb
How to be a Manga writer in America / miniseries and website
Walker Hill
How to start a FIRST TEE organization in Bulloch County / website and golf instruction to children
Derrick Hodge
Body building and confidence building / working with a person to achieve positive results
John Eddie Hodges
The Differences between wood and composite bats
Cameron Humphries
The Effects of Music
Shalonda Hunter
The Effects of Suicide
Brian Inman
Video Game Violence / powerpoint
Brandon Jackson
Running and nutrition / website devoted to how diet complements training
Jasmine Jackson
Human Trafficking
Tabria Jackson
The Effects of Child Abandonment
McKenzie Jacobs
Animal Adoption
Christopher Johnson
Gun control on school campuses / speech in church about gun violence
Darnisha Johnson
Teen Suicide
Jermaine Johnson
Gang Violence
Rachel Johnson
Becoming an EMT / powerpoint and website
Travion Joiner
Crime in America / shared statistics with classes
Am'Brelle Jones
Teenage human trafficking / powerpoint
Kianna Jones
Damage of hair products on African-American hair / demonstration with cosmetology mannequins
Ryan Jones
ICU Nursing
Travon Jordan
The effects of Muscular Dystrophy/ speech to teachers in faculty meeting
Ben Kalevela
Writing a fiction novel/writing my own novel
Witt Kennedy
Music and the Brain
Preslie Lewis
Body dysmorphia / video that presents awareness of disorder
Byron Linto
Global Warming
Dytavian Littles
Graphic Design
Whitney Lucas
Child Abuse
Chris Lusted
Ash bats vs. Maple bats in Baseball
Pratt Matthews
Knife Making
Brandon McNatt
Our Economic Status
Mathyn Miller
The effects of dance on Children
Brianna Mincey
DNA: What Makes Our Bodies Unique?
Cedric Mingas
Graduation Rates: North vs South
Lenaa Joi
Moses Event Planning
Tayhlor Myers
The effects of energy drinks/ visual aids (powerpoints, posters) around the school
Virdiana Nava-Angeles
Why Should Immigrants Get Driver Licenses?
Rachel Nevil
The dangers of underage drinking in a college community / speaker for prom week
Paige Oliver
The "anti-hero" in literature/presentation to AP Literature class
Olivia Palomares
Why are hate crimes against Latinos increasing? / three sessions with counselor to talk about violence
Bhumi Patel
Alternative therapies / Powerpoint
Carly Phenis
The impact of animal shelters on society / volunteer at shelter
Joshua Piazza
Health benefits of cycling / try to open a BMX facility in Statesboro
Katelyn Pope
The physical and emotional effects of Graves' disease / informational brochure about
Graves
Biondi Rawls
The Different Types of Financial Aid
Alexander Rich
Entrepreneurship: Creating Your Own Business
Dominique Ricks
Becoming a Certified Nuring Assistant/portfolio of information
Brandon Roberts
Process analysis of building an effective grill / build a grill for use on March 26 for Special Olympics
Ansleigh Rowe
Animal Cruelty/ Dog fighing
Zach Rozelle
Childhood Obesity
Whitney Rushing
Animal Experimentation
Jordan Sanchez-Vesga
Body modification in the workplace/create a blog
Tanika Sapp
The evolution of Hip Hop Dance
Michael Shaw
Balancing athletics and academics / collect data on hours spent in practice and in school
Julie Shen
The mental effect of immigration/ discussion with various cultures at the college
Chaz Shiels
How solar power can ease our oil dependency / make and demonstrate a solar panel
Erin Smith
Nursing home abuse and neglect / brochure for homes
Khlid Smith
Adoption: Pros and Cons
LeeKira Smith
Relief for Haiti
Sally Smith
The basics of therapeutic riding / volunteer with Stirrup Some Fun
Jeffrey Spells
Racial profiling / powerpoint
Kayla Stanley
The effect of alcohol abuse on children / blog
Deanthony Stevens
The Negative Effects of Bullying
Jasmyne Summers
How to Produce a Clothing Collection
Vanamey Sykes
Learning disabilities/presentation to teachers
Antonio Taylor
Human cloning / powerpoint for anatomy classes
Ben Taylor
African American Poetry
Pamela “Cree” Vickers
Prevention of Childhood Diseases through Nutrition
Charneisha Walden
The effects of premature births
Kelcey Walker
How Advertisments affect us
Giovanni Ward
The effects of child abuse on the developmental stages of growth
John Washington
Body dysmorphia / video that presents awareness of disorder
Tishawn Washington
Which Model of Truck Is the Best?
Cheyenne Waters
Animal Abuse
Christy White
The importance of having a sex education curriculum
Deven White
How to Build a Drum Set
Jai-Shon Whitening
The causes and effects of teen suicide on both the student and the parents / website
Allen Wooden
The effects of steroids / powerpoint for football team
DaVenice Yates
Child Sexual Abuse