Spotlight: Fellows Projects

By Devin Munroe '16

This article spotlights on two seniors, Jack Elstner and Tricia Oxford. Both Tricia and Jack have taken on the responsibility of a Fellows project their senior year. The Fellows program was put in place to allow students to develop a year long project and pursuit of one of their passions. This a serious undertaking as these students put in hours upon hours of work in order to present their findings to the student body and larger Severn community at the end of the year. This article gives a brief window into Jack and Tricia’s projects and allows them to share a little bit about their process.

Jack Elstner’s Interview

Q: Give a brief overview of your project.

Jack: I am fascinated by boats. For my Severn Fellows Project, I am refurbishing and restoring an old Chesapeake Bay Deadrise workboat, a type of vessel that is native to this region. I found the boat abandoned in an old barn on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. After getting permission from the man who owned the property, I trailered the boat to my house where I have been working on it ever since. The vessel is nearly 21 feet long and is made almost entirely of cedar. It was built in 1980 in Rock Hall, but hasn’t been in the water for nearly a decade. Much of my work so far has included fixing structural components of the hull and interior, scraping, and sanding down the wood. When the weather gets a little bit warmer, I will begin the painting process, and hope to have a seaworthy vessel by the end of May.

                      

Q: What inspired you to do your specific project?

A: My freshman year I had the honor and the privilege of having Doc Heslin as a Latin teacher. Those who remember Doc know how much of an impact he had on the Severn community. He pushed his students to do their very best, and taught them to live out the things they are most passionate about. When Doc passed the summer of my freshman year, I realized that I had never gotten to thank the man who had left such a positive impression on me. The whole point of my project, therefore, is to honor Doc’s memory. For years I have wanted to do something, but never quite knew what. But when I found the boat that day, it all just kind of clicked. At the completion of this project, I hope to have not only a seaworthy vessel, but also a reminder of the values that Doc reinforced in my life. As long as people remember him, Doc will never be completely gone.

Q: What have you learned throughout this process?

A: Through this project, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to fake it until you make it. What I mean by that is there’s no manual for this job, no easy-fix solutions. For much of this project, I’ve had to kind of figure things out as I go along. But that’s what makes it fun. I’ve successfully learned about all different types of power tools without maiming myself. I’ve familiarized myself with a vast array of paints, putties, and primers. I also figured out how to effectively blowtorch the old paint off the gunnels of the boat without burning down my entire house (again). This project has taught me how to think critically about problems in ways that textbooks or power points could not.

Q: What has been your favorite part of restoring the boat?

A: I love working on the boat because it gives me an excuse to hang out with my brother Ben, who has been instrumental in keeping the project moving along. We have some pretty fun times out there in the garage blasting music and sanding away. The great thing about boats is they give you the opportunity to let go of everything and just be. When I’m working on the boat, I don’t have to think about classes or grades or homework. I can completely let go, and focus solely on the task at hand.  

                      

Q: Do you hope to take your boat on the water this summer?

A: Absolutely. A ship on land is safe from storms and currents. But that’s not what ships are built for. Once restoration is finally complete, I plan on venturing out into open waters and seeing what she is capable of. Hopefully she floats (fingers crossed). 

Tricia Oxford’s Interview

Q: Give a brief overview of your project.

Tricia: My project’s main goal was to examine the social stigma of mental illness, specifically anxiety and depression in high schoolers. My final result will be an online book that people can view on their phones, laptops, or iPads. The book will be a compilation of the research I have done and my personal stories and experiences, in a creative graphic format.

Q: What inspired you to do your specific project?

A: 1 out of 4 people suffer from a mental illness at some point in their life, so if it’s not you or one of your friends, chances are they either haven’t developed it yet, or because of the stigma that surrounds mental illness they are afraid. I, myself, have suffered from anxiety and depression my entire high school career and one of the biggest battles I faced, other than the actual illness, was the stigma. 40 million people in the US have anxiety, 14.8 million with depression, and, yet, it is still considered “taboo” to discuss it. I was afraid to open up to people about this thing that I dealt with everyday because I was worried of the repercussions and backlash I would receive. I felt so alone in my battle. I wanted to educate people on this topic and share my own story in hopes that others would do the same and I could help just one person know they aren’t alone.

Q: What has surprised you most in your research?       

A: The amount of work that went into this project. The entire summer before senior year was filled with research concentrated around the understanding of these illnesses through research in medical textbooks and journals, speaking with doctors and counselors, and also speaking with friends who have also dealt with these illnesses. A full understanding of the brain, understanding different medical tests and research programs, and learning about the people and personal stories, was necessary for the in-depth concentration I strived to reach for my project.

Q: Do you hope to taken what you’ve learned your project and continue it in the next phase of your life?

A: I hope to. I don’t know what I’ll concentrate on in college, but I wish to continue to be an advocate for mental illness with whatever major I may choose.

Q: What has been the biggest challenge?

A: Mental illness can be a difficult topic to talk about to anyone, no matter the prejudices or stigmas, it can be uncomfortable. On certain occasions, talking about, and opening up about the struggles I faced with my illnesses was certainly a hurdle I had to overcome. Also, explaining what it’s like to have a mental illness in intense detail, to try and allow someone else to understand what I was going through, at some times forced me to relive those tough moments. It stirs up emotions and feelings that I face on bad days where it feels like my illness is taking over and sometimes winning. I know that it’s important to explain those days to people who may not have a full understanding of what it’s like to suffer on a daily basis, it has gotten easier, but it’s still difficult for me.

Q: What is your biggest take away from this project?

A: The amount of support I have received from teachers and students. I don’t know exactly what kind of reaction I expected to receive when I stood up in Morning Meeting and told everyone I had a mental illness. I just remember being terrified. The Severn community truly is one of the most accepting and supportive communities I have ever been a part of, and the reaction to my project would be nothing were it not for the people I have encouraging me.