Memoir

Anna Ridenour

Completing the Senior Seminar and Project is perhaps one of the most prestigious
elements of Triton High School; not only is it a great learning experience, but it’s required for
graduation. My Senior Project is based on agriculture education and advocacy, with some of the
main components being social media, videography, editorials, and event planning. I truly enjoyed
spreading my knowledge of agriculture, and finding ways to connect with both producers and
consumers. I especially valued the development of my social media page and the connections I
made within the community. However, this project also taught me about flexibility, as it was
frustrating to have to cancel classroom lessons and 4-H activities. If I could do it again, I would
create more classroom and in-person opportunities. I would also start earlier so that I could have
the whole year to work with, instead of just six months.
My Senior Project taught me a variety of skills, both hard and soft. I learned how to film,
edit, and upload videos to Youtube, which was a huge stretch for someone who is not used to
managing technology. I also learned how to create blogs and write captions for informational
media posts. Although these skills may help me in various ways, the soft skills, like
communication, concentration, and time management, are even more important. I worked
alongside my mentor, community members, and other agricultural professionals to develop
ideas, so it’s great that I have all these strong connections within the industry. In the future, I
hope that I can continue to add to my website and media pages, as being an agricultural advocate
is very important to me. I will continue to grow and explore new opportunities, as well as
continue to strengthen my skills and knowledge. In addition to continuing this project, this will
continue to benefit me in my future as a student and veterinarian. Communication and
knowledge are perhaps the two most important parts of a veterinary career.
After completing my Senior Project, I would highly advise future students to manage
their time and to create realistic goals. I had so many plans for my Senior Project, but it’s
sometimes hard to make things feasible if you are as busy as myself. Despite this, I feel that I
truly put a lot of effort and planning into my project, and I am glad that I did something that I
was passionate about. I would give myself an A or B on the project because I stretched myself to
learn new knowledge and skills that will benefit me for the rest of my life. Not only did I have
achievements and success, but I also bounced back from disappointments, whether it was not
being able to host 4-H events or complete many videos. Determination is important throughout
life because there will be many things that try to knock me down, but I will continue to find a
way to grow and learn. I set myself up for career and personal success, which is the goal of the
Senior Project.