Gang Signs:final thoughts

With the dreaded Junior theme over with, i cant help but say that it was actually much more enjoyable and educational than i could have ever imagined. I think that because of that fact we got to choose our topic, a lot of people got really into their papers and benefitted from that. Its so interesting to learn how people from different backgrounds grow up. My project focusing on gangs, i read about how youth accross the country struggle with drugs sex and violence every day. Gangs being something New Trier's communities dont really have to deal with, it was obviuosly a huge learning experience. Also, i think that the interview was extremely beneficial, and enjoyable in the same sense that i got to talk to someone i would have otherwise never encountered about a topic that i find extremely interesting. Once agian, i think that because we got to choose our own topics, most if not all students learned way more than they otherwise would have and enjoyed the paper a lot more than they would an assigned topic. The Bolos/Oconner junior theme compared to my friends with other teachers is what a research paper should be like. Taking the emphasis of off mass text reading and focusing it on true learning and understanding of your topic was awesome.