PCIS
2016
Prosper Career Independent Study 1
Prosper High School proudly presents Prosper Career Independent Study Final Presentation Night May 11, 2016 Mission Statement: The mission of the Prosper Career Independent Study (PCIS) program is to provide advanced academic students an opportunity to conduct a self-directed, in-depth study of a topic of their choice while gaining real-world experience under the tutelage of a mentor in the community. The program will provide an environment that allows PCIS students to explore future career interests, to develop a professional product, and to serve their community.
301 Eagle Drive • Prosper, TX 75078 2
PROGRAM Student Showcase in Cafeteria.................................................................................................6:00 pm Presentations in Auditorium......................................................................................................6:30 pm Guest Speaker: Mr. Greg Wright, PHS Principal Guest Speaker: Mrs. Janet Anders, Director of Advanced Academics Guest Speaker: Ms. Kristy Bilban, PCIS Teacher Movie Presentation Student Certificate Recognition Recognition of Mentors Individual Student Final Presentations in classrooms...............................................................7:00 pm Amy Marina Smith..........................................2208 Fashion Merchandising Mentor: Mrs. Vanessa Fernandes Nordstrom Inc Dallas, TX
Mark Frederick Wade.................................... 2215 Adolescent Therapy Mentor: Mrs. Lori Ferrell Prosper ISD DAEP Prosper, TX
Mackenzie Allyce Maddox............................ 2209 Pediatric Oncology Mentor: Mrs. Kamela Lancaster, RN Medical City Dallas, TX
Allison Morgan Biggs..................................... 2217 Pediatric Oncology Mentor: Dr. Scott L. Chowning, MD Prosper Pediatrics Prosper, TX
Aaron Robert Guerrero.................................. 2210 Philosophy Mentor: Dr. Brad Thompson Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
Calvin John Schofield..................................... 2218 IOS App Development Mentor: Mr. Alan Woody Raytheon McKinney, TX Glenn Thomas Jordan..................................... 2223 Engineering Mentor: Mr. Russell King Barry-Wehmiller Design Group Addison, TX
Ashley Dawn Henson..................................... 2212 Adolescent Psychology Mentor: Dr. Lana Snear, PhD Counseling & Consulting Associates of North TX McKinney, TX Taryn Shane Blackstock................................. 2213 Physical Therapy Mentor: Mrs. Kristin Duckworth, PT, CSCS, CKTP Vista Physical Therapy Prosper, TX
Diem-Tho Thi Le............................................... 2224 Surgery Mentor: Dr. Vivian Hoang, MD Real Time Neuromonitoring Associates Dallas, TX
MacKenzie Leigh Simm................................. 2214 General Surgery Mentor: Dr. Julianne Santarosa, MD Innovative Surgical Care of Frisco Frisco, TX
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Kristy Bilban, PCIS Facilitator This year, I have been the facilitator of the Prosper Career Independent Study program. I say “facilitator�, and not teacher, because in this program, it is truly the students who take the lead in their education. While I have been able to guide them in their first steps into the professional world, they have done the research, organized their products, designed and rehearsed their speeches, and made their own professional contacts. What they have accomplished this year is truly impressive and has inspired me to reach new heights as a professional and a learner. Thank you to all the parents, students, professionals, and friends who are here tonight to support them in their accomplishments. Our program would like to thank Janet Anders. Mrs. Anders is the Director of Advanced Academics at Prosper ISD. She has spearheaded a number of new programs in the district, one of which is the Prosper Career Independent Study program. Her support of this program from its genesis throughout its first year has been of incalculable value. Without her efforts to organize events, administrate, and go above and beyond for gifted and high achieving students, PCIS would not be possible. We owe our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Anders for her vision, her persistent determination to support us, and, most of all, her kind guidance as we have successfully navigated our first year. I would also like to thank the mentors that have made this program possible. They have cared for and instructed our students as their teachers throughout the course of the year. They have dedicated their precious time and energy into helping them realize their dreams. Most importantly, they have with compassion and patience guided their entry into the work of adulthood. We are so grateful for your work with our students. Thank you for attending and sharing this evening with us. We hope you all enjoy our presentations this evening. Kind regards,
Kristina Bilban Prosper High School
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Janet Anders, Director of Advanced Academics The Prosper Career Independent Study (PCIS) Final Presentation Night is a culmination of many hours of planning, dedication, and hard work. I want to thank PISD Superintendent Dr. Drew Watkins, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Michael Goddard, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Holly Ferguson, and the Board of Trustees for their support of our program in its inaugural year. From the inception of the idea to bring the course to Prosper, Dr. Watkins has wholeheartedly supported offering this innovative course to our juniors and seniors. I would also like to thank PHS Principal Mr. Greg Wright and his administrative team for their support and belief in this opportunity for their students. Having campus administration that believes in offering new, advanced opportunities for our students is invaluable. Under the leadership of PCIS teacher Kristy Bilban, the program has thrived. Her dedication to the program and especially to the success of her students, has been instrumental in this first year. Ms. Bilban’s excitement in her students’ work and her belief in their goals and dreams sets the stage for each student to achieve at high levels. The success of PCIS is primarily due to this dedicated, talented, and caring teacher. A special thank you to each of our PCIS mentors for giving of their time and expertise. The PCIS course could not happen without your commitment to our students and the program. You have truly made a difference for these students. And, finally, thank you to the students. I appreciate you for taking a chance on a new course and blazing the trail for future PCIS students. You have each done a remarkable job on your research and projects. It is my hope that this course has been challenging and meaningful for you. Sincerely, Janet Anders Director of Advanced Academic Prosper ISD
Allison Morgan Biggs
Dr. Scott L. Chowning, MD
Allie is currently a senior at Prosper High School and is attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in the fall. She plans to major in biology with a minor in political science, and she is looking to go into Pediatric Oncology. She also plans on serving a church mission after her freshman year of college and looks forward to having a family of her own. Throughout her career, she wants to be heavily involved in her community and put her family first. She is so grateful for this class and her mentor, Dr. Scott L. Chowning, MD, and she is excited to begin her career in Pediatrics.
Dr. Scott L. Chowning, MD is from Oklahoma City, but has lived in the North Texas area for much of his life. He attended Baylor University where he graduated with a B.S.E. in Electrical/Computer Engineering. Dr. Chowning, MD went on to attend medical school at Johns Hopkins University and did his residency at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. He recently opened the Prosper Pediatrics clinic in Prosper, TX. Dr. Chowning’s wife works as a web designer, and they have four children.
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Taryn Shane Blackstock
Mrs. Kristin Duckworth, PT
Taryn plans to attend Oklahoma State University next fall and study Therapeutic Recreation for her undergraduate degree and be a certified therapist after four years. After that she aspires to attain her doctorate degree in physical therapy. Her final product consists of a Functional Movement Screening on three sports teams here at Prosper High School. The screening aimed to detect and address weaknesses in order to prevent future injuries. Taryn is very grateful to her mentor, Kristin Duckworth. “My mentor is amazing and inspires me every day with the work she does not only with her patients, but with her family and employees. She is not just a great physical therapist and mentor, but she is an exceptional person to get to know. She has helped me see the path I want to take and that I truly do want to be a physical therapist and one as successful as she is.”
Kristin Duckworth, PT is a Physical Therapist at Vista Therapy in Prosper, Texas. She went to the University of Texas. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS), a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner (CKTP) and is working on becoming a Certified Functional Manual Therapist (CFMT). Kristin has worked with Taryn, training her on how to write charts, perform exercises, and assisting in creating the final product.
Aaron Robert Guerrero
Dr. Brad Thompson
Aaron Guerrero is a junior at Prosper High School pursuing studies in philosophy in PCIS. Outside of the program, Aaron is an avid music fan, composing short works for the PHS theatre program and playing seven different instruments (and about four of them well). He also plays chess with an expert ELO rating and has accepted an invitation to join the varsity LD Debate team next year. In college, he plans to major in philosophy.
Dr. Brad Thompson is an associate professor of philosophy at Southern Methodist University. Dealing in analytic philosophy with a PhD from the University of Arizona, much of his research concerns the relationship between the two central features of mentality—consciousness and intentionality. He’s particularly interested in the idea that conscious experiences have a certain kind of intentional content in virtue of their phenomenal character.
Ashley Dawn Henson
Dr. Lana Snear, PHD
Ashley Henson is studying adolescent psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Lana Snear. She has researched many mental illnesses plaguing adolescent girls, as well as observed counseling sessions with children. Her research and PCIS experience will culminate in a presentation on mental health in adolescent girls. The presentation will be given to a variety of ages and diverse groups within the community. Ashley will continue her research in college and will use the knowledge she has gained towards her degree and her future profession. She will attend the University of Alabama in the fall.
Dr. Lana Snear, PHD has worked in the field of Psychology for almost 20 years. She has experience in school psychology as well as private practice working with children, teens, and adults. Dr. Snear has worked in several school districts, including Dallas ISD providing both therapy and psychoeducational assessments. She now works in private practice providing therapy for individuals, couples, and families.
Glenn Thomas Jordan
Mr. Russell King
Glenn Thomas Jordan is a junior at Prosper High School and is in the Prosper Career Independent Study. He chose to research the field of Chemical and Electrical Engineering. As his final project, Thomas is creating an AutoCAD drawing, which displays a useful chemical process in a common tool used by final engineers. His mentor is Russell King an electrical engineer at Barry-Wehmiller Design Group. He worked with Mr. King in order to gain perspective into what it is like to be an engineer in the field. After high school, Thomas hopes to attend an engineering program at an elite university in order to have a successful career.
Mr. Russell King is an Electrical Engineer that works as a Director at Barry-Wehmiller Design Group in Dallas. He got his degree at the University of Southern Illinois and got his undergraduate in electrical engineering. He works on designing and making manufacturing materials and processes in order to create an efficient system to manufacture products such as bottles or cans. In addition, he often travels to meet with other engineers around the world in order to find new insight into Electrical Engineering.
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Mackenzie Allyce Maddox
Mrs. Kamela Lancaster, RN
Mackenzie Maddox is a senior at Prosper High School researching Pediatric Oncology, and her final product emphasizes the concept of comfort. For her final product, she designed superhero IV bag covers for children in the oncology department. After this year, she will go to Southwestern University where she will major in Psychology and be on her way to medical school. Mackenzie is extremely thankful for this program and Kamela Lancaster, RN, her mentor, for allowing her to be a step ahead in her career.
Kamela Lancaster is an RN at Medical City Dallas with a specialization in the Pediatric Oncology. She studied at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and takes pride in providing exceptional care to each of her patients. She originally specialized in the renal failure unit in St. Louis before she found her perfect fit in pediatric oncology. Kamela is an amazing mentor due to her wealth of knowledge concerning oncology, her caring spirit, great communication skills, and the authoritative role she possesses in the hospital.
Calvin John Schofield
Mr. Alan Woody
Calvin is currently a junior at PHS. He is enrolled in PCIS, and is researching computer science, specifically IOS App Development. This year, he has had the opportunity to work under the mentorship and guidance of Mr. Woody. Calvin has also had the opportunity to develop an App in hopes of putting it on the app store. In the future, Calvin wants to attend BYU University after a two-year mission trip.
Mr. Alan Woody is currently the Software Senior Fellow at Raytheon in McKinney. Mr. Woody attended Virginia Tech before settling in Texas to work for Raytheon, a company that develops projects for incredible uses from helping soldiers get different vantage points in battle to helping the James Webb Space Telescope unlock the secrets of the universe. Mr. Woody is knowledgeable of numerous programming languages and applies them while working on projects such as these.
MacKenzie Leigh Simm
Dr. Julianne Santarosa, MD
MacKenzie Simm is a senior attending Prosper High School and is a student in the Prosper Career Independent Study. The subject matter that she has spent nine months researching is General Surgery. She found a mentor in Dr. Julianne Santarosa, a leading general surgeon in robotics. She has found that the field of medicine is definitely the career she wants to pursue. With the collaboration of Dr. Santarosa, Ms. Simm created three medical surveys to gain more information about the success of an innovative hernia repair method. Ms. Simm used the gathered information to create a mock case study of the innovative hernia repair. Ms. Simm has been accepted and decided to attend Texas Tech University in the fall. She will be majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Pre-Medicine. She plans on specializing in either Pediatrics or Genetics. Ms. Simm also plans on continuing her study of American Sign Language in order to become an advocate for Deaf assistance in hospital and clinics.
Dr. Julianne Santarosa, MD is a Dallas based Minimally Invasive General Surgeon. She specializes in robotic surgery procedures utilizing single site, as well as, multiport techniques. She is on the frontier of surgery; pioneering new and innovative techniques for complex ventral and inguinal hernia repairs utilizing the DaVinci robot. Because of her extensive experience with the DaVinci robot, she currently proctors to certify other general surgeons to use the robot. Dr. Santarosa earned a medical degree from the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences/State University of New York at Buffalo in 2007. She completed her residency in general surgery in 2012 at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Amy Marina Smith
Mrs. Vanessa Fernandes
Amy Smith has been under the mentorship of Vanessa Fernandes at Nordstrom NorthPark. She has worked with the visual team, T.B.D department, designer department, shoe department and more. Amy has learned not just about fashion merchandising and how retail appeals to a customer, but also the Nordstrom way. Amy has learned more about customer service, floor design and grabbing a customer’s attention through merchandising products to a customer. Amy hopes to keep in contact with all of the amazing people she has met through Nordstrom. Amy will be attending Oklahoma State University in the fall.
Mrs. Vanessa Fernandes has been with Nordstrom Inc. for 16 years. Before moving to Nordstrom North Park located in Dallas, TX, she was previously the manager at the Austin, TX store. Vanessa has been extremely involved in Amy Smith’s PCIS journey. She works with Amy on her final product as well as placing her with various managers and departments across the store. Through Vanessa, Amy has had the opportunity to learn through regional and districts managers, as well as walking through the store with visual teams and department managers.
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Diem-Tho Thi Le
Dr. Vivian Hoang, MD
Tho Le is currently a junior at Prosper High School. She is enrolled in Prosper Career Independent Study, and is researching the medical field. She is starting a nonprofit organization that will provide financial assistance for the cardiovascular surgical care of infants. Through this program and her research, Tho hopes to learn more about the different aspects of the medical field. This year, she has had the opportunity to be under the mentorship and guidance of Dr. Vivian Hoang, MD.
Dr. Vivian Hoang, MD is a Teleneurologist who is Board Certified in Neurology. She watches and monitors the brainwaves of patients that are currently undergoing surgery. Dr. Hoang graduated from Tulane University with a major in biological science. She completed her internship at Tulane, as well as a residency at Georgetown University Hospital. Dr. Hoang also completed a Fellowship at UCLA. She works at several hospitals, and goes on call at a Dallas hospital about once a month.
Mark Frederick Wade
Mrs. Lori Ferrell
Mark Wade is a senior at Prosper High School and focused on adolescent therapy in the Prosper Career Independent Study program. Outside of the program, Mark is Psychology Club president, Youth for Tolerance vice president, nationally qualified Texas All-State Show Choir representative, and Show Choir section leader. For Mark’s final project, he started a mental health awareness week, created mental health get well baskets, and made various art projects showing the importance of mental health. After high school, Mark will be studying Psychology at the University of Oklahoma.
Lori Ferrell is the head counselor at the Prosper Independent School District’s DAEP, alternative school, and advocate for helping the homeless of Prosper. She has been a counselor in Prosper ISD for many years. Mrs. Ferrell graduated from the University of North Texas, and is excited for this opportunity to serve the community as a mentor.
Dr. Drew Watkins, Superintendent of Schools
I could not be more proud of the students in this program. We always strive to provide our students with real life experiences – and this course accomplishes that very goal. A better understanding of their field of study through their work and research with a mentor, and hands-on experience in the career process from beginning to end will be beneficial for these students for many years to come. We are looking forward to the growth of this great new program at PHS. Sincerely, Drew Watkins, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Prosper ISD
Greg Wright, PHS Principal It is my pleasure to take a moment to give praise to an outstanding new program at Prosper High School, our Prosper Career Independent Study Program (PCIS). This program has given our students the opportunity to explore career fields and prepare themselves for certain fields after extensive research. Through the program, our students have not only learned about careers in which they are interested, but they have also improved their research skills and presentation and speaking skills, skills that are so crucial for success in today’s job market. First I would like to give special thanks to Ms. Kristy Bilban, our outstanding teacher, who has led us this program all year enriching the lives of our students one day at a time. Ms. Bilban has spent countless hours encouraging, critiquing, and guiding our students to learn deeper and become greater. Without a teacher like Ms. Bilban who is both nurturing and willing to hold her students to high expectations, this program would not have been a success. I would also like to thank Ms. Janet Anders, our Director of Advanced Academics at Prosper ISD, who was the orchestrator of the program. This program was her vision and was created under her direction. Our students and our school are forever grateful for her vision and her guidance in its implementation. I would also like to give special thanks to all of our corporate sponsors, parents and professionals who have contributed to the education and growth of our students through our PCIS program. Learning about careers is helpful. Working with professionals in those fields to receive guidance, information, and mentoring is invaluable and will, without a doubt, benefit every student in the program. Thank you to everyone who came tonight to celebrate the great accomplishments of our students. We know that this year and this night will be but one stepping stone to greatness for our students. With Appreciation, Greg Wright Prosper High School Principal
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Holly Ferguson, Executive Director of Curriculum & Learning Services The PCIS course under the direction of Mrs. Janet Anders has lead to innovation and a more creative approach to education in Prosper ISD. Our students have grown in their communication, presentation, and ability to problem solve when provided a real world authentic learning experience. The class has also allowed student learning to become more personalized and individualized based on the interest of students. The Prosper Career Independent Study (PCIS) embodies authentic learning and provides our students with the opportunity to connect to the world beyond the classroom. The level of engagement of our students inspires others and removes the walls of traditional education to provide our students with the ability to learn at deeper levels and prepare for a career of the future. Sincerely, Holly Ferguson, M. Ed. Executive Director of Curriculum and Learning Services Prosper ISD
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Dr. Michael Goddard, Assistant Superintendent As a society, there have been fewer things that have drawn us to greater discovery than the character quality of Inquiry. It is the driving force behind discovery. INQUIRY : a seeking or request for truth, information, or knowledge. : a request for information : an official effort to collect and examine information about something : the act of asking questions in order to gather or collect information Through this process I hope that you have seen how important it is to seek and ask the questions. Through this process I hope that you have seen that working together with another on the same mission to discover the answers not only leads to great things, but great relationships. As adults we become less and less more inquisitive as we age. Never stop asking the important questions. “The moment you say “I know everything” is the end of your growth.” In order to grow, we have to be uncomfortable. Growth never comes from being stagnate. It only comes through planting, rain, sunlight, and pruning. It might be better said as vulnerability, investment, failure/mistakes, keep trying, support and inquiry. Make those around you better because you search for the answers so you can grow. Even better create a culture in your sphere of influence that questions are not only welcomed, but encouraged. “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” – Albert Einstein Thank you for not forgetting you have a gift through this process. Never forget the power of inquiry and your ability to search and discover. For it is the very reason you will change the world for the better. Proud to be an Eagle ! Dr. Michael Goddard Assistant Superintendent Prosper ISD
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Our Sincere Appreciation Prosper ISD for supporting the PCIS program in its inaugural year. PHS Staff for being flexible with our PCIS students as they have traveled to work with their mentors. Deneen Wike, Advanced Academics Administrative Assistant, for being instrumental in organizing events and for her attention to every detail. Christal Hankey, Prosper ISD Communications Specialist, for creating our amazing program. Ron Planks, Prosper ISD Orchestra Director, for being flexible and accommodating our needs for the PCIS Final Presentation Night. The 2015-16 Inaugural PCIS Class who set high standards for future PCIS students. The families of our PCIS students for their support. Prosper ISD Technology Department for their support of our Final Presentation Night.
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