By Anna Haefele

Special to the Weekly

Each Lopez Island High School senior must complete a senior project in order to graduate, but the results certainly show a great deal more passion, engagement and dedication than most mandatory undertakings.

Last year, Breton Carter interned for the Doma Coffee Company in Coeur d’Alene, Iadho. She followed this up with a trip to Nicaragua over the school year, where she visited a coffee farm. The result of these two experiences was a well developed curiosity about the coffee industry, which has culminated in a coffee-centric senior project, which Carter describes as studying “the process [coffee] goes through “from bean to cup,” specifically looking at Fair Trade versus the conventional route, and information on other certifications as well e.g. organic, rain-forest alliance, shade-grown etc.”

While Carter doesn’t believe that her newfound knowledge and curiosity will lead to a career in the coffee industry, she did learn a lot in the process of completing it, stating, “now I can make a good shot of espresso, spread knowledge about coffee, and do my best to support “good” businesses.”

Breton’s project is one among many of this year’s senior projects with a meaningful international focus: her classmates are covering topics ranging from stem cell research (Eryn Dye), to international adoption (Solomon Bill), to the benefits of meditation (Katie Ogston), and equine therapy (Clara Ewert).

However, some senior projects are more relevant closer to home. Nia Bartolucci is focusing on the presence of GMOs on Lopez Island, Michael Reeve is presenting on technology in education (specifically on Lopez), and Patience Taylor is concentrating on the Lopez Island Mentor Program.

While this is not a comprehensive list, it does showcase the spirit, community-mindedness, diversity, and individuality that the senior projects are meant to bring out in the students.

The projects will be presented, starting this week, at the high school. For info, visit www.lopezislandschool.org.