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Portfolio deadline draws close

By: Loren Stachowiak
Contributing Writer

Career portfolios are a graduation requirement for seniors at General McLane High School. Faculty doesn't see the December 20 deadline being a problem, but seniors think differently.

According to guidance counselor Janice Bennett, the earlier deadline gives students more time to make revisions. "Students will eventually need it done, you can't graduate without it," says Bennett. The deadline for last year's seniors was February 14, but this year it's earlier so the committe that checks the projects will have more time. The committee is still undetermined at this time.

The state Board of Education in Pennsylvania requires a graduation project from all seniors. A committee of students, parents and teachers decided to use a career portfolio as McLane's graduation requirement. English teacher Daniel Mennow comments, "It's a beneficial project."

Mennow, a senior portfolio advisor thinks students will be able to make the deadlines without trouble. He agrees with the early deadline as well because last year's seniors didn't make it in February.

Senior Corinne Pitts thinks the deadline is too early, and it will be stressful getting the work in on time. "The advisors don't even know what's going on most of the time," she comments. She also thinks a better idea is to use a different graduation project, since the portfolio isn't deemed useful in eyes of many seniors.

Requirements of the career portfolio project include a resume, cover letter, sample application, career information, two best work samples including an explanation, and a best writing sample from any class.