CAMDEN — With graduation approaching and an impressive list of college scholarships and other merit awards well in hand, Watershed seniors are finishing up their years at Watershed School by “making the world a better place.”

Each spring, Watershed seniors design and complete a semester-long graduation project. This culminating event at Watershed School is an opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of the skills and understanding gained during their high school years, and as such, is a mark of passage to adult life, according to a news release. Although the projects range in topics from science to art to community engagement, all have one central requirement; they need to make the world a better place. 

“The senior project represents the capstone event of our seniors' secondary school experience,” said teacher Pete Kalajian, in the release. “I like to think of it as a bridge to what comes next, and hope that it takes the place of the initiation rites that many cultures use to separate childhood from adulthood. It is my hope that these students come away from their project experience better prepared for life after high school, with a firm grounding in how to leverage their particular skills and interests into improving their community, their workplace, and the lives of others.”

This year’s projects include student health and wellness, cultural understanding via Tai Chi, environmental conservation, growing small businesses, promoting animal shelters, education immersion, art in Midcoast Maine, and traveling/study abroad programs.

College acceptances and awards have been significant this year, with students receiving more than $1 million in merit aid offers, in many cases, from their first choice colleges.

“Colleges recognize and respond to the quality and depth of learning and purposeful work that happens at Watershed,” said College Advisor Clare Galloway. “The senior projects are just one example of this.”

College scholarships and awards include Connecticut College’s Trustee Scholarship, The College of the Atlantic’s Presidential Scholarship, Bennington’s Brockway Faculty Scholarship, The University of Maine Honors College’s Top Scholar Award, Hampshire’s Sustainable Future’s Award, The University of Vermont’s Presidential Scholarship, as well as merit aid to Mount Holyoke, Sarah Lawrence, and Roger Williams. Other acceptances include Bard, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Mt. Allison University and Acadia University in Canada, and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

"Watershed students step onto college campuses around the world with confidence and anticipation, ready to build on what they have learned,” said Will Galloway, Head of School. “In this sense, college confirms and expands the relevant experiences they have had with peers, faculty, and midcoast Maine during their high school years, not only in the realm of academic pursuits, but also as members of a greater campus community. Watershed students have the confidence to seek out and talk with professors, the maturity to find meaningful and lasting friendships, the willingness to try new things, and the modesty that allows them to consider the world anew from a wide variety of life experiences and cultures."

Watershed seniors will present their Senior Projects Thursday, June 7, 5 p.m., at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Camden.

Graduation will be held on Saturday, June 9, 4 p.m. at the John Street United Methodist Church in Camden. A 15th Anniversary Celebration will follow graduation at Watershed School, One Free Street, in Camden. The event will feature music by the Gawler Family, contra dancing, food by Me Lon Togo, and more.

All are welcome to attend these events.

Watershed School is an independent high school located in Camden, serving students who are looking for a challenging academic program in the context of a supportive and enthusiastic school culture. Watershed is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is a Maine State Approved High School, and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

For further information, call 207-230-7341 or visit watershed-school.org.