Living in the mountains of Western North Carolina gives me endless opportunities to view the vast array of changes in nature and the gifts that permeate land and sky. One of those gifts is corn. Passing fields of billowing corn is mesmerizing. Seeing them cut at the end of the season will cause a moment of melancholy as well as a drastic change in landscape. That is why as the year ended this new crop of optimistic corn stalks brought me to tears. The first glimpse felt like an optical illusion. “Is that really a plant or am I seeing things?” The tiny starts so new that it took a few days to really tell that yes, we are on our way. Rows and rows of oscillating promise, firmly planted, rooted to do their part, dependent on the weather and the elements to ensure their success come the end of season.

Thus my musing, once again, on these glorious students of mine (ours), as they get ready to go off into the world to do amazing things. Yes, the students in the class of 2013 are poised, hopeful and ready, just like these glorious rows of corn starts. They want to fill out, reach for the sky, soak up everything around them, and actualize their potential. Speaking of their abilities I would like to share some of their final projects with you. The Senior Project/Graduation Project process has a long tradition here. Students spend a semester studying the topic of their choice and build around it. Research, community service, a professional mentor, and a final product are all woven into a culminating presentation in front of a group of judges from the community. This process empowers. A digital portfolio is required and most students constructed a website to showcase their work.

Here are the links to all of them. Look at the topics to find one that interests you. Send them a comment if you feel so inclined. To be working by their sides, as they stand eager to stretch towards the future is truly an honor. To the new crop!