Mercedes Joyner

October 28,2015
Senior Project proposal

"Same-Sex Adoption Rights"

A. Abstract
The topic that I chose to focus on for my senior project is same-sex adoption rights. I have
chosen this topic because I have always wanted to know why those who are single can adopt
while those who like the same-sex can not. I believe that choosing this topic will be successful
because same-sex marriage has impacted the United States in many ways over the past 4 years.
Many are unaware of the issue faced by our LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender)
community and I believe if I could make this issue known to others, it would open up their
minds. My purpose is to spread awareness of the issue, educate them on the legal aspect of the
issue, and encourage them to get involved. I plan to hold a community seminar where I will have
a guest speaker talk about the issue, a law firm who deals with the issue and a person who has
been through the situation. This gathering will be held at my dad's business office where he gave
me permission to use in March. I plan to talk to the LGBT center coordinator to find out is they
have any interesting speakers and call around to find a lawyer that focuses on these cases. If they
choose to help I plan on offering free advertising for them. i feel that my project will be
successful because throughout my years in high school the legal studies academy had taught me
how to organize my thoughts, speak publicly , and understand the legal aspect of my project. my
driving questions are as follows:

-what laws are presented against same-sex adoption rights?

-how does this go against the constitution?
-since all 50 states allow same-sex marriage , does adoption rights change as well?
-how does religions affect this issue?
In conclusion to my project my community will become aware of the issue and know facilities
where they can attend to help with any issue.

Part B:
i will learn to enhance:

speaking skills
ways to educate the community
my knowledge of the LGBT community
my knowledge of adoption rights
i will learn to:

learn how to create an effective project plan

learn how to host a informational Seminar

Part C: Project Steps

STEP 1:

get permission to have

1 Hour

seminar at Fathers office

STEP 2:

get

lawyer, LGBT

2 Hours

center, and food truck to

come and sponsor
STEP 3:

Meet

with

Consultant

3 Hours

about layout plan.

STEP 4:

develop a schedule of

1 Hour

teaching and speakers

STEP 5

get

guest

speaker

1 Hour

(gay\lesbian speaker)
STEP 6

Create flyers to handout

2 hours

STEP 7:

place

2 Hours

handouts

in

businesses that allow me

STEP 8:

meet

with

teachers

4 Hour

(lawyer, guest, speaker,

LGBT center)
STEP 9:

Finalize

all

scheduled

2 Hours

activities & food truck

donation percentages
STEP 10:

finalize

process

with

2 Hours

consultant and dad

STEP 11:
STEP 12:

host seminar

3 Hour

Conduct videos of experience during 1 1\2 Hours

seminar

STEP 13:

go over videos and see

1 hour

what could have been

better
STEP 14:

meet with consultant

1 hour

about seminar

Part D: Documentation

progress logs
notes regarding adoption rights
all plans and documents
schedule plan
video evaluations
emails/text to all speakers and teachers/ leaders
journals
time log
pictures
speech for seminar
research paper
Part E: Project Justification
i believe that educating the community about same-sex adoption rights and holding an
informational seminar would explain it best. this projects most challenging part will be getting
sponsors to speak on behalf of the leadership role in their organization. this project is appropriate
because not many know that even though same-sex marriage is legal not all states allow the
LGBT community to adopt. this project is appropriate because it is understanding that the LGBT
community does exist with many major life setbacks.

Part: F Project paper connection

the project connects with the issue i plan to advocate for. many cities,states, countries are putting
religious legal discrimination on adoption rights. i plan to educate my community about the laws
by inviting a same-sex lawyer to speak on her behalf of her clients

Part:G Academic Honesty

I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project will result in failure
of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my High School diploma.

Part:H Time chart

STEP 1:

get permission to have

oct. 24

seminar at Fathers office

STEP 2:

get

lawyer, LGBT

oct.31

center, and food truck to

come and sponsor
STEP 3:

Meet

with

Consultant November 6

about layout plan.

STEP 4:

develop a schedule of November 30

teaching and speakers

STEP 5

get

guest

speaker December 11

(gay\lesbian speaker)
STEP 6

Create flyers to handout

STEP 7:

place

handouts

December 18

in January 15

businesses that allow me

STEP 8:

meet

with

teachers January 22

(lawyer, guest, speaker,

LGBT center)

STEP 9:

Finalize

all

scheduled January 29

activities & food truck

donation percentages
STEP 10:

finalize

process

with february 4

consultant and dad

STEP 11:
STEP 12:

host seminar

march 11

Conduct videos of experience during march 11

seminar

STEP 13:

go over videos and see March 22

what could have been
better

STEP 14:

meet with consultant March 25

about seminar

Part:J PARENT AGREEMENT

As a First Colonial High School, Legal Studies Academy parent, I recognize all parts of the
Senior Project are graduation requirements and I intend to support my student throughout the
process.

I understand the physical project must be a product or performance which takes at least 20 hours
outside of class time to complete, and which challenges my son/daughters current skills and

knowledge. Additionally, I recognize I may obtain needed information via the Senior Project
Manual; posted online.

I fully understand this project selection decision is made independently of the staff and
administration of First Colonial High School. The project selection and approval is parent and
student-centered. Final approval for the project is governed by the Senior Project Advisory
Board.

Due to the importance of the Senior Project, submittal of a project without approval will result in
a failure or forfeit of Legal Studies Graduation. Thus, if the project or consultant is altered or
changed, a Project Revision Form must be submitted by November 20, 2015.

Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________ Date _________________

Day Phone ____________________

Evening Phone _________________________

Student Name ____________________________________________________________

Student Signature _________________________________

Student E-mail ___________________________________

Date _________________

Part:K TEACHER APPROVAL

I have read this Proposal Packet, asked for clarification when needed, and believe this project
will challenge the student.

Teacher ___________________________________ Block __________

Teacher Signature ________________________________ Date ____________

Part :L CONSULTANT CONTRACT

Student Name: ___________________________________________________________

Dear Prospective Senior Project Consultant:

To satisfy the requirements for First Colonial High Schools Legal Studies Academy (LSA)
Senior Project, each LSA senior must complete a project challenging the student and requires
20 hours to complete. The student must create a product or performance which is measurable
and corresponds directly with his/her Academic Legal Research paper. In order to carry out this
project, the student needs a project consultant, someone from the community with interest, time
and expertise to help the student complete the project. Project consultants have the unique
opportunity to help a student in a very meaningful learning experience.

Please read the list below to be sure you qualify as a project consultant, and you are willing to
undertake this service for the student named above.

The Project Consultant:

Must be an adult, 21 years or older

Must be willing to attend any project event(s) planned
Must be knowledgeable in the field the student has chosen.
Must be willing to oversee 20 hours or more of students work on the project via personal,

phone, or email contact.

Must be willing to sign this contract explaining the roles and responsibilities of the student and
consultant after reviewing project proposal and clarifying project with the student.
Must be willing to sign a log of students hours, progress reports or discuss students hours via
phone interview.
Must be willing to write an evaluation of the students project upon completion with forms
provided.

 Must not help the student with writing the research paper or creating the final presentation.

If you are willing to act as the students project consultant, please read and discuss with the
student his/her project description, explanation of personal challenge, and rough outline of the
project. The student is responsible for meeting all deadlines and completing the project. The
student should inform you of those deadlines and establish a schedule of meetings with you.

If you do not feel the student has met the discussed expectations, you may refuse to sign off on
this project. If this situation occurs, students will be required to meet with the Senior Project
Coordinator to discuss the completion of this project or possibly proposing a new project.

To help us ensure the student has an appropriate project consultant, please provide the
information requested at the end of this contract. First Colonial High Schools Legal Studies
Academy thanks you for your time and interest in our students. Please feel free to e-mail Susan
Van Schenck, the Senior Project Instructor, at susan.vanschenck@vbschools.com with any
questions about the project.

To the Project Consultant: Please provide the information requested and sign on the
appropriate line below.

Name _______________________________________ Phone (Day) ________________

Business/Organization __________________________ Phone (Evening) ______________

Address_________________________________________________________________

Email __________________________________________________________________

Would you be willing to advise other students in the same area?

YES

Please explain your qualifications in the project area to help this student:

What will be your role, your contribution to the students Senior Project?

NO

I have discussed the project proposal with the student. The project meets the requirements, and I
agree to act as this students project consultant.

______________________________________________Date______________________
(Project Consultant Signature)

I understand as the student, I am responsible for meeting all deadlines, for meeting regularly with
my Project Consultant, and for completing the Senior Project.

I understand my Project

Consultant will help me with the project phase and is not responsible for helping me with my
paper or my presentation.

_______________________________________________Date____________________
(Student Signature)