"For Future Generations..."

Looking back at this semester, I've learned a lot about myself and my capstone group. I also developed my skills as a videographer, writer, and editor. Through a tedious process, I worked tirelessly all semester on creating a 12-minute documentary, which ultimately took me down a path I did not expect; I met a lot of great people in the surrounding New Wilmington and New Castle community who loved history as much as I did.

It's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what one piece of advice I would pass on to the next BC group at Westminster as they start their capstone journey, but I did learn a few key things. Here are my words of wisdom to the next generation of broadcasters of Westminster College...and hopefully this advice will help them make capstone a learning experience, but also a process that will personally touch their hearts.

#1 First and foremost, choose something that you love to do! This may be something you see yourself doing in the future, but if you're not sure what your future aspirations are, do something that you will find a sense of pride in doing...even if it's time consuming!! My project took me months to complete, and I was still working up until my presentation, but I loved my project. Capstone should be about something you want to do...fight for it and find a way to justify it as a capstone project, even if your professors question its value. This is your future. Granted, you need to do something worthy of a capstone project, but this doesn't mean you should totally blow off your dreams.

#2 Secondly, start to work on your project as earlier as possible and strive for something polished. Sometimes, I wish I would have been more focused on my project earlier on in the semester. The sooner you figure out your direction with the project, the sooner you can delve into the work and can make the best final product you can. Allow time to hammer out those little details. If you can submit your final product to any sort of contests or competitions, do it! Although I'm done with my presentation, I'm still looking for places to enter my documentary, to display my hard work throughout the semester.

#3 And finally, look to people in the community and your mentors from internships and jobs for guidance throughout your capstone project! I was able to meet some interesting people right here in the New Wilmington, New Castle, and Mercer area while filming my documentary, and I relied heavily on their resources and expertise to fuel my project. Every time I discovered something new about the history of Lawrence County from these local historians, I realized there were other ways to enhance my film and make it better. I also followed the advice I received from those at my internship at Newschannel 5. In the end, you will appreciate meeting these people; they all have their own story to tell!!

And probably one the best things about capstone was growing closer and developing a bond with my capstone class. We were all under the same pressure, but as a group of friends we were able to get through it; don't be scared to lean on them for support!

Thanks BC Capstone 2008-2009 for being my support system and more importantly my friends!! :)