Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) has an approved Advanced Placement (AP) program at all high schools which academically prepares students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. However, Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) had their first group of graduates complete a two-year AP Capstone program. Students are required to take AP Seminar their first year and AP Research their second. These courses are designed to complement other AP courses.
This year VMHS had three students that recently completed their two-year commitment in the AP Capstone program and finished their year with a research project. Logan Dovalina, Citali Haro Franco, and Nelissa Garcia completed the program in May and they are excited about the work they did while there and what AP Capstone has to offer future students.
“The class is heavily weighted on writing, research papers, and argumentative essays. Students also have to work individually on their topic but can have an expert advisor from the field of study they are researching,” states Ms. Libby Vasquez, VMHS AP Capstone teacher.
The students final project for AP Research are:
* Logan Dovalina
Does the proposed border wall in the Rio Grande Valley incite conflict for ecotourism and rarities of nature in Mission, Texas?
(He created a model that depicted a feeling of optimism and beauty which currently is displayed at the National Butterfly Center. Expert Advisor: Mariana Trevino- Butterfly Center Director).
* Nelissa Garcia
How has media influenced society’s perspective of dissociative identity disorder and how can we change it?
(She wanted to eventually have high schools implement a mental health class to help students identify symptoms of mental illness. Expert Advisor: Dr. Barry Berger- Mission Psychological Center).
* Citlali Haro Franco
Is plastic bottle contamination in the Gulf of Mexico negatively affecting our oceans and human health?
(Do it yourself eco-bottle to help be more earth eco-friendly. Expert Advisor: Abril Marquez-VMHS Science teacher).
Their research projects all followed a basic concept in which Ms. Vasquez continuously stated while they were in her class, she advised them to keep a particular phrase in mind of “see a need, fill a need.” This helped Dovalina, Garcia, and Haro Franco select the topics for their research projects.
According to Dovalina, there are not many people that know about the AP Capstone program but he found it extremely beneficial for him and the other members of the class for their future endeavors. He along with Garcia and Haro Franco would like students to know that this program is available to them and that each of them can walk away with plenty of knowledge on the research process.
The AP Capstone Program prepares students to become independent thinkers and problem solvers, develop skills for college and beyond, can help them be college stand-outs due to the rigor of the program, and can even earn them college credit for the ones that accept qualifying scores. Next year both Mission High School and Veterans Memorial High School will offer the AP Capstone program.
“Any student taking the AP Capstone Program is at an advantage for their higher educational goals because of the rigor of the program,” states Mr. John Hill, Director of Advanced Academics/UIL. “It not only prepares for college but also for a competitive workforce.”
For more information on the AP Capstone program, please contact the Advanced Academic Services/UIL office at (956) 323-5506.