(June 14, 2002) — Erin Klinthong walks into the building, suit neatly pressed, presentation materials in hand. Klinthong hasn’t walked into an advertising agency to make a proposal to a board of chief executive officers. She is actually experiencing the culmination of the second year of Clark’s senior projects. While seniors at other high schools had given up on work, Clark students continued to work through the remainder of the year on their senior projects. By June 1, they had speeches, projects and portfolios filled with evidence of their work, logs of the hours they spent and their research papers. Students were allowed to choose any topic, as long as there was a learning stretch. Some used it as an opportunity to pursue future career plans, while others used it to do things they wouldn’t otherwise accomplish. Topics ranged from learning how to ride a bike to designing and building a scooter. Adrine Karibkhanyan learned to dance the meringue and salsa and performed dance steps. For her research paper she explored the influence of Latin culture on mainstream America. She had “in-class time” and help from her English teacher Stephanie Sajjadieh, as well as outside school with her mentor. Though the senior project required work by the staff, it was most important for the students. “It’s just as important for you to realize that you don’t want to spend your life doing something as learning what you want to do,” said Michael Lawler, one of the judges.