Senior Projects at Princeton Day School kick off the Monday after senior sendoff, April 27, giving students four weeks to dig into something they are truly interested in. Art teacher Ms. Shockey says students are encouraged to pick projects tied to career goals or interests they were unable to fully explore during high school. “It’s really just thinking about what you want to do for four weeks and what you’re going to have the most fun doing,” she explains.
Art focused senior projects allow students to explore painting, drawing, and other visual arts, as it helps them develop their own creative voice. One student taking the art route is senior Ishnoor Kaur, and her work is aimed to leave a lasting presence on campus. She’s creating two sets of eight black-and-white film photographs for Dr. Flynn’s office, in addition to a painting to hang outside Ms. Graham’s office in the admin wing. Even though the project doesn’t officially start until after senior sendoff, she’s already looking forward to it.
For Kaur, this initiative holds personal significance. Art has been a big part of her four years at PDS, and she sees this as a chance to give something back to a community that helped her grow. She’s excited not only to create new work, but also to present it in a space where people will see and discuss it. She also hopes her project will push others to try something outside their comfort zone. Kaur never expected photography to become as meaningful to her as it has, and she wants other students to find that same kind of unexpected passion, whether in the arts or somewhere else entirely.
Students can work in school studios or from home, with teachers like Mr. Rempe, Mr. Cook, Mr. Maher, and Ms. Myser available for support. The wraps up with a gallery showcase where students install their finished work for the community to see. The hardest part, Ms. Shockey admits, is staying motivated: “By the end of senior year, everyone is tired.” But she believes it’s worth pushing through. The Senior Project is one last chance to create something meaningful and leave a real mark on PDS as a student.
