My capstone was based on mental health. Together Milah and I wanted to make a difference for kids we saw mentally struggling in school. We noticed over time that due to quarantine, the attitudes of our peers around us have entirely shifted, which even took a toll on our lives. So from there, our essential question became “How can we make school more comforting when it comes to mental health?” At first, the initial response was to make a mini-course so that people could talk. After much research, I realized that everyone isn’t comfortable speaking in a group so we created an anonymous google form that people can talk to and get responses from one of us. We want to continue it once we graduate because mental health is too important to take lightly. We also did interviews throughout the year talking to kids in the school about how they felt. Overall I feel like we learned a lot about how education can affect our mental health and methods to soothe the stress

My capstone was based around the question “how does one person in a community cause a positive effect on the rest of the community?” As I went through the process I was able to finally do something which could benefit me, my community, and others watching me. I decided to create mini vlogs showing what it’s like helping other people watch their children. I was able to gather up some kids on the weekend who I normally watch and keep them for a few hours. Sometimes I charge and other times I did it for free. The people provide for the children and I provide everything else such as food, snacks, somewhere to sleep, somewhere to play, toys, etc. Through this experience, I was able to see that at some point parents need help as well. It’s not always easy taking care of a child by yourself. Showing people around me that they have support no matter what was the biggest takeaway from this project. I was able to grow more bonds that I never knew I would’ve had before. Being able to gain a new level of trust with parents and children just shows that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

My capstone was centered around the following guiding questions, What ways can we better support young entrepreneurs? What information can we help entrepreneurs obtain that’ll benefit their business skills? In what ways can we bring together young entrepreneurs and make them collaborate? 2 of my classmates and I, who also have businesses of our own, hosted a “Boss Brunch” at Merion Botanical Park where we found vendors that were interested in marketing, networking, and socializing with other young entrepreneurs. Having to find a place for the event, vendors, speakers, a caterer, and get a permit for the park. We charged a $25 vending fee and used the money to pay for tables, chairs, decorations and other things we needed. Providing food and drinks, allowing every business to set up and sell their items and also gain words of encouragement from a few experienced entrepreneurs we found through social media and personal connections. There was also a photographer who captured all the memorable moments at our boss brunch. I learned that even the most successful people have been at the point I’m at now. Everyone left supporting new businesses they didn’t know before the brunch, exchanging social media handles and creating connections that are continuing to last after the brunch. Bringing the young entrepreneur community together and allowing them to connect with each other is the best way to support them because you relate to a group of people just like you and help uplift and support each other.

My Capstone was, well it was certainly an interesting one. I decided to make mocktails (cocktails but with no alcohol) for it and it was certainly an interesting process. The question I had asked for it was rather broad, “What does it take to create something others will enjoy?” And, well it takes effort, but also knowledge. The goal of this was to create something for people and the exact thing has evolved over time. In fact, most recently I’ve had help getting a website created. At the time of writing it’s still very much in progress but I do hope for it to become something more and for the ideas I have to become reality. I made various recipes for different drinks and hopefully will add new drinks, add some deserts and the like to this site, heck, I eventually even hope to possibly even make the café real. So, while I’m not sure I can answer the question of what it takes to make things people enjoy, I can sure as heck do my best to make something that many can enjoy, especially if it’s a safe space for my siblings in the LGBTQ+ community. Anyway, as of current the site won’t be findable without a link until I get the bits sorted out.

Speaking of which:

For my project, I will create an Ep. As well as a video/Documentary titled “Music with a Message”. As African Americans, we live in times where we have to voice our emotions and not be silenced. We have things like social media and politics helping others to push certain narratives and shut others out. So I will answer the question “How is music used in our communities?” For that, we have music artists like Tupac, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill, and many others who use their platforms to spread messages that the average person can’t. It has helped the African American community in numerous ways. Their music brings awareness to police brutality, sexual assault, racism/discrimination, rape, suicide, feminism/sexuality, and much more.

Here is the link to my website: https://sites.google.com/slabeeber.org/moon-child/home

For my senior capstone project, I fixed and modified my scooter. At first, I was struggling to come up with a good capstone, but when Mr. Larry recommended that I fix the scooter, it was the perfect idea. Because I do not have independence in the wheelchair, the scooter is a necessity for my everyday living. At first, we switched out the battery. Then, the scooter was still moving slow, so Mr. Larry figured out that it could be the potentiometer, a piece behind the drive select lever that translates movement to the motor. When we replaced the potentiometer with a new one, everything worked great. The scooter was wearing and tearing, and it was plastic. Then, we tried to replace the plastic with wood. Lastly, we spray painted the scooter black, because it looked ugly.

While I could have replaced the scooter with a new one, fixing it was fun, inexpensive and more customizable. Also, I learned how the scooter functions. Fixing the scooter needed a lot of problem solving. It is inexpensive because the problem was in the potentiometer, and the batteries and replacing those cost less than replacing the whole thing. To customize, we had to be creative and figure out material and placement on parts of the scooter. I am happy with the product that I got, because now I could maneuver on my own.