It's hard to believe I'm sitting here writing my very last senior project blog. This has been a long, time-consuming and, on occasion, stressful process, but also a rewarding one. I've learned a lot about a broad range of subjects, tackled some difficult questions and stretched my critical thinking and writing skills. 10 pages no longer seems like a lot for an essay, nor does a dozen cite sources. This experience has surely helped prepare me for college. I can, I hope, look back on the work I've done over the last four months with pride. I'm looking foreward to finishing my product over break and presenting it in mid-January.

Between now and then, of course, I'm going to have a very busy time of things. My first priority is college applications; it looks like I will need to do about one every day if I want to finish before leaving for a family vacation just after Christmas, which is my goal. . In addition, I still need to write an introductory text and edit all 25 pages of my final essay. I also am expecting to get back comments from my outside consultant, Sally Booth, which I hope to incorporate. It's going to be a lot of work, but not insurmountable.

That's about it. With a little dedication, these last pieces of my project can fall into place over the next 2+ weeks. It's been an interesting journey, one I'm sure I'll look back happily on...once it is finally over. Best wishes to everyone for the holidays, new year, senior project, college apps, and life in general. If there's one thing I learned this week, dealing with a rejection letter I didn't want to come, it is this: I have an amazing group of friends, a fantastic grade and awesome teachers. We're like a big support group. I don't know what I'd do without it. One way or another, I hope I can keep that spirit of community with me long after I graduate.

Maasalaamah for now,

David Kaner