Education Plan Essay

Kaitlynn Jones
Mr.Lord
Senior Project
21 April 2015

Education Plan Essay

As my high school career comes to close I find myself asking what next. I am already one step closer to that because when I graduate from high school in May, I will be leaving with 27 college credits under my belt. My preparations so far have been applying to multiple colleges across the state with very well-rated nursing programs.My next step after deciding on a college will be to apply for financial aid to help me pay for college and decide where I will be staying through college (on campus/ off campus). I have also began to save up money to help with various things as I go through my four years of college.
 I have been accepted into three colleges: LSUA, McNeese, and Northwestern. All have very high rated nursing programs in the state of Louisiana. But I have decided to attend LSUA in the Fall of this year and transfer to McNeese in the Spring. I plan to obtain my bachelor’s in nursing in order to be an RN specializing in trauma. Although I have a very high GPA and ACT score, I will still be needing help financially to achieve my goal of my bachelor’s degree.. This year I was selected for two scholarships that will be very helpful with my first semester of college but unfortunately it will only help with this first semester. But if getting my bachelor’s degree means working three jobs while trying to study for finals and such then so be it. I will let nothing stand in my way of achieving my goals!
I chose a path in the medical field because after working in a daycare for four years I found it very enjoyable to work with children and to take care of them when they were hurt or ill. Still it seems strange to so as to why I would chose to be a trauma nurse if I love working with children. I chose trauma because I love the feeling of being under tremendous pressure. I love the split second decisions that have to be made. Another reason for choosing the medical field is that I am very strong in biology, I absolutely love biology. Each person is gifted with specific strengths, talents, and skills making each person unique. My strengths would have to be math and science. I would like to think I have a talent of being able to take care of children and talk to them, making each of them feel special in their own way. I also like to think I have the talent of singing, some may agree, others, not so much. I have even been told that I have the talent of being able to laugh and smile, even when life seems to be going completely wrong. I think I have the skills to bounce back fast. After everything that has been going on in my life in the past few months, I have had the determination and strength to not let it affect my future and what I need to do to reach it.  I will achieve as much as I can in my life.
  My main goal in life is to pursue my career as a Registered Nurse and start a family here in my hometown where I grew up. My other goal would be to be the best caregiver, and mother I possibly could for my family. Education is key to achieving my goals. A good support system behind me would also help me to reach my goals. Many things in life seem impossible to reach, unless you have those few people that stand behind you every step of the way that say, “I am here to catch you if you fall.” Education to me means a bigger, brighter, more stable future. Education means being able to provide for myself one day without having to rely on others. I plan to use my education to help various people when they become sick or ill. Who knows I may further my education and possibly come up with a cure for something and save thousands of lives? But who really knows, one thing I do know is that all things are possible with the right education and Christ on your side.
I really have my mind set on something in the medical field. My goal is to be an RN but if that does not work out and is too overwhelming, then I would like to pursue a career as an LPN. If I do not find that RN is rewarding enough, I may go on to be a pRN. I feel like with me being very strong minded in math and science, something in the medical field would suit me best, but if that would not work out maybe a math teacher since I am strong in math and I have a strong love of children.

Reflection Paper!!!!

Kaitlynn Jones

Mr. Lord

Senior Project

21 April 2015

Reflection Paper

For my senior project, I chose to distribute hygiene items to the women’s prison in Cottonport. That is not entirely true, I went to Mrs.Julie with a clip from my church bulletin that was asking for hygiene items to be donated so that a group in Marksville could distribute them to all the prisons around the parish. I originally wanted this project to be just for National Honor Society but Mrs.Julie and I made a few adjustments to my proposed idea. The project became my senior project, and we expanded it, so that the sophomore, junior, and senior class could participate.

Mrs.Julie then set up an appointment for me to speak with the warden of the Women’s Correctional Facility in Cottonport. We all sat down and spoke with Warden Bonton, she explained to us some of the needs of the women in her facility. She gave us a list of about ten items that included: two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, Germ-X, soap, washcloths, stationary, deodorant, Roman Noodles, a candy cane, and Christmas card (because my project took place around Christmas). We then took this list back to school to discuss how we would pay for all these items. Mrs.Julie informed me that their was a type of grant we could apply for that would pay for the supplies, and so we did. Unfortunately, we did not receive the grant in time to pay for the items. About a month after we completed my project, we got word that we had been given the grant, so the school was reimbursed for the purchased items, and the money left over was put into an account to continue this project for the next few school years.

Each student packaged a box with one of each of the items, then wrapped the boxes in Christmas paper, and left a nice little Christmas greeting for the prisoners. Then over a two day period, the classes traveled by bus to the facility to distribute their gifts to the prisoners. Once at the facility, the students were escorted to the bunk rooms of the prison to give their gifts and spend a few minutes talking with the prisoners. On one trip the choir members actually sang Christmas Carols to the prisoners, which they enjoyed very much.

Before I began this project and permission slips were sent out for students to attend this trip, I heard so many things in the halls about how crazy this project was. I heard things about how some thought they were going to be killed or raped when they visited the prison But it was to be expected, in today’s society everyone thinks that if someone is in prison then they must be this terrible criminal but that is not always the case. My goal for this project was to change the way my fellow classmates viewed people who were in prison. I achieved my goal! At the end of each trip to the prison, I heard about how much they enjoyed their visits, and how nice the prisoners were. When we returned to school I asked some students to comment on their experience: “My trip to the prison was excellent! The prisoners were so thankful of our givings and were super nice! I would love to do this project again because even though they are in prison they are nice people and most of them just took blame for someone else. It helps teenagers that think everyone in prison belongs there realize they are people too and most of them are nicer than the people around them.", “"This trip influenced me greatly because I loved the thought of helping these people and it really gave me a good feeling inside. I was happy to know that I made someone's Christmas a lot better. My favorite aspect was talking to the inmate. That was when I actually started to feel good for helping. I would love to do this project again." The comments I received showed me, that in the end I did accomplish my goal.

I learned so much for my work with this project. I learned things from places and people I would have never expected to learn from. When we would speak to the prisoners, they only gave us the best wishes for the future and to stay on track. It amazed me that in their situation, they could be so selfless and only think of us and thank us for the very small thing we did for them. Visiting with the prisoners is what truly showed me that it is the small things in life that really matter and make a difference in our lives. I learned that for some people, it is a calling to care for, and show people that someone cares and I pray that I can take everything that I have learned and seen with me as I continue my journey through life.

Feedback!

After completing my project, I passed out a little feedback form. It reads as follows:

Please explain how your trip to the prison and your experience with the project has influenced you. Tell what your favorite aspect of the trip was. Tell if you would like to participate in this project again. Please give any other comments you may have about this project. 


Here are some responses:

"My overall experience with this project was truly amazing. This project taught me that not everyone in prison is a bad person, they just made one bad choice. It has also taught me to not judge people before meeting them. Because in my opinion, I was a little intimidated before entering, but I came to realize that they are just as nice and compassionate as we are. I would do this project again in a heartbeat."

"My trip to the prison was excellent! The prisoners were so thankful of our givings and were super nice! I would love to do this project again because even though they are in prison they are nice people and most of them just took blame for someone else. It helps teenagers that think everyone in prison belongs there realize they are people to and most of them are nicer than the people around them."

"I feel as though this experience greatly affected my class as well as myself in a positive way. It taught me to appreciate the simple things in life and that everyone deserves a second chance. I would definitely enjoy participating in this project again."

"This trip influenced me greatly because I loved the thought of helping these people and it really gave me a good feeling inside. I was happy to know that I made someone's Christmas a lot better. My favorite aspect was talking to the inmate. That was when I actually started to feel good for helping. I would love to do this project again."

"The trip to the prison was quite wonderful. The experience was heart warming. It influenced me to want to help others more than myself. My favorite aspect of the trip was meeting with the ladies and getting to know them. I would love to participate in this project again."

"This project was a wonderful idea. The prisoners were overjoyed to see that people still cared. Visiting them in their cells allowed a further appreciation for life. This project brought joy to so many people and should most definitely be done again. Spreading Christmas joy is always an amazing idea."

"I loved this project! It felt so nice to give back to the ladies at the prison. Sometimes we forget that prisoners are people and need love too. The best part about this project was talking and singing with the inmates. To see their smiles and the sparkle in their eyes after receiving our gifts of comfort items and time was truly rewarding. It warmed my heart to do this project. I would do this again!"

A Big Thank You To Mrs.Coretha!

I would like to give a huge thank you to Mrs.Coretha and her staff for working with me, and giving me the ability to share Christmas joy with those who are often forgotten during the holiday season. 

A Few Images From My Senior Project!

The Sophomores, Juniors, and their class sponsors are ready to head to the Correctional Center.

Juniors listening intently to the directions being given by Mrs.Coretha.

The Junior class waiting to give their gifts to their inmates.

Mrs.Coretha speaking to the senior class.

The Avoyelles Parish Women's Correctional Center decorated for Christmas.

Time to Spread a Little Cheer and Joy!

Here is a video of Mrs.Coretha Bonton speaking to the senior class about how important our gifts are going to be to the inmates. She also spoke of how we will be impacting the lives of the inmates for the better.

Here Mrs.Coretha Bonton, prison director, speaks to the sophomore and junior class about the Christmas season and its meaning and how thankful she is for what we are doing for her inmates.

I Present To You.... The Gifts!!!!

The gifts are packaged, wrapped, and ready for delivery! I can't wait to travel with the classes to give out our gifts!!! Don't They look nice??