Superintendent Lucas Giguere and Principal Dr. Maria Weber are proud to announce that more than 200 members of the Class of 2026 successfully delivered presentations detailing their Senior Project Internships.
"The presentations were truly outstanding and reflected the tremendous amount of work, coordination, and support that went into making this experience successful for our students," said Dr. Weber. "It was inspiring to see the wide range of internship opportunities students participated in, including dental assisting, fire, police, and public safety placements, a variety of businesses, and many other community partnerships. The diversity and quality of these placements provided meaningful, authentic learning opportunities for our students."
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Judges meet in the library after more than 200 members of the Franklin High School Class of 2026 delivered presentations detailing their Senior Project Internships. (Photo Courtesy Franklin Public Schools) |
The presentations took place on Wednesday, May 27, at Franklin High School, and the event and internship program were organized by Assistant Principal Catherine Klein and Guidance and Career Counselor Christine Scafidi.
Dr. Weber thanked Klein and Scafidi for their "extraordinary leadership and dedication in organizing this year’s Senior Project Internship experience for more than 200 members of the senior class."
Klein and Scafidi, the Senior Project Coordinator, recruited and organized approximately 70 judges, including faculty members, mentors, site supervisors and local business leaders, for the event.
"What stood out most during the presentations was the preparedness of the students and the genuine reflection they shared about their growth throughout the experience," said Dr. Weber. "Many students spoke about the importance of communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and professionalism, which, as you know, are the essential life skills that align directly with Franklin High School’s Portrait of a Graduate. It was clear that this experience had a lasting impact on them both personally and professionally."
Franklin High School Senior Projects require students to choose an area of study that interests them and then work within that area to gain practical experience before graduating.
One senior, Carolyn Bonilla, shared her internship experience with the Franklin Police Department
"Throughout my internship, I worked closely with Sgt. Crossman, who taught me about the daily responsibilities of law enforcement officers and what it takes to serve and protect the community," Carolyn said. "I participated in ride-alongs and observed officers responding to a variety of situations, which gave me a better understanding of the challenges they face on the job. I also learned how officers interact with community members, handle calls professionally, and work together as a team to ensure public safety."
The Senior Project initiative helps future graduates satisfy their curiosity, determine their future plans and achieve professional and personal goals.
Carolyn's experience helped to develop important skills such as communication, teamwork, professionalism and problem-solving.
"It also gave me a greater appreciation for the dedication and commitment required in law enforcement," she said. "The best part of my experience was working with Sgt. Crosman and participating in ride-alongs. It was interesting to see firsthand how officers help people, respond to calls, and build positive relationships within the community. Watching these interactions allowed me to gain valuable insight into police work and strengthened my interest in serving others and making a positive impact in the community."
Additional internship partners included the Franklin Fire Department, the Worcester Red Sox, Sturdy Health, NBC Sports, MRN Diagnostics, the YMCA and many more.
Students receive significant support as they navigate through the project. Each student's support team include their parent/guardian(s), a teacher-mentor (faculty member) and a site advisor (expert in the area of study at the work site).
“Our students did a wonderful job demonstrating their learning experiences, and we couldn’t be more proud of each of them,” said Superintendent Giguere. “The Senior Project Program offers our students a truly unique opportunity to learn alongside industry professionals, and prepare them as they set off in their next chapter. A heartfelt thank you to our partners and advisors for your continued support.
