Pensacola State College Charter Academy seniors presented their Capstone Projects on April 20 on the Warrington campus.

Pensacola State College President Ed Meadows walked around the D.W. McMillan Auditorium on the Warrington campus, peppering PSC Charter Academy seniors with questions about careers ranging from veterinary science to creating video games to restoring old automobiles.

Yes, the students answered these questions.

On April 20, the 17 graduating seniors from the PSC Charter Academy’s inaugural class gave presentations about various career paths at the first Senior Symposium.

Eight students presented oral presentations bolstered by PowerPoint slides, while nine others made large poster presentations detailing their research into a chosen profession.

They’ve had a phenomenal year,” said Karen McCabe, PSC Charter Academy principal. “I can’t believe the first year is almost over. I think the students loved the experience and being part of a smaller learning environment. They worked really well together and really wanted to be here.”

The PSC Charter Academy opened in August 2022 with only junior and senior students. The seniors graduate on May 18.

At the Symposium, friends and family members of the seniors walked around to check the poster presentations before sitting down for the oral presentations.

Student Savanah Dumagan showed off her research and work on her project, researching a career as a video game designer and developer. She said the skills needed include computer knowledge, programming, and artistic abilities. Dumagan plans to study graphic design, possibly at Pensacola State.

“It was a great experience,’’ she said of her time at the Charter Academy. “It’s very flexible, and it was a good learning experience. It was fun.”

Francesca Boyland’s presentation was “Reading and Writing as a Career.” She even shadowed a librarian for her project – many students shadowed someone in their research field.

She wants to pursue a career as a writer and is considering attending the University of West Florida after graduating from the Charter Academy.

“It’s been wonderful,’’ Boyland said of her year at the PSC Charter Academy. “I loved everything about it.”

The PSC Charter Academy is currently accepting junior and senior students for the 2023-2024 school year, which begins in August. Starting in Fall 2024, the Charter Academy will accept sophomore students. There is no tuition or charges for textbooks at the Charter Academy.

The presentations that the seniors delivered at Senior Symposium include:

  • Tait Anderson: “Becoming a U.S. Marine Raider”
  • Gwynneth McKeithen: “A Career in Flight”
  • Allen Peterson: “The Opportunities of Micro-Robotics”
  • Sebastian Berry: “Doctor of Radiology”
  • Rico Stamey: “Sharing Music on the Road”
  • Sydney Eykin: “Developing Future Music Teachers”
  • Jonathan McKinley: “Music as a Profession:
  • Salvador Zendejas: “Math is Necessary”
  • Breanna Aimable: “Exploring Sonography”
  • Francesca Boyland: “Reading and Writing as a Career”
  • Trinity Cash: “Pursuing Teaching”
  • Savanah Dumagan: “A Gaming Career”
  • Owen Fortner: “The Real Estate Market”
  • Emily Garcia: “The Mental Health Profession”
  • Nicholas Guy: “Becoming a Veterinarian”
  • Madison Oake: “Auto Restoration: Renewing the Old”
  • Caleb Waters: “Welding: Hobby and Career”