IN THE CLASSROOM -- The final test

Danette Goulet

CORONA DEL MAR -- Alec Hanson had eight minutes to relate the history and

significance of the three types of dance he studied -- ballet, ballroom

and breakdancing -- and to demonstrate his newly acquired skills in each.

He spoke, he danced, and he spoke some more. He shed a layer of clothing

and danced again. More talking, more shedding, more dancing. By the end

of his eight minutes the 18-year-old was talking as he performed moves.

The sheer speed and diversity of his performance was impressive -- not to

mention his fitting two outfits under a suit, in which he performed the

rumba.

It’s that time of year again at Corona del Mar High School -- time for

12th-graders to present their senior projects to a panel of seven

teachers, parents and community members.

It is the culmination of many months of hard work for the students.

During their final year, seniors are required to try something they have

always wanted to do. Alec’s tri-cultural dance experience, for instance,

stemmed from his desire to take up breakdancing. He added ballroom and

ballet to keep it interesting. Although he developed a new respect for

ballet and his girlfriend loved the ballroom dancing, he said he’d

probably just stick to breakdancing.

While it may sound like fun and games, there’s a lot of work involved,

too.

Students are required to complete a 10-page research paper and spend 15

to 20 hours experiencing their topic.

For Alec, those hours were spent dancing. For others, it meant job

shadowing and keeping a journal, while still others wrote songs, made

surfboards or even trained dogs.

Graduation will come and go and Christine Bogenrief will still be

responsible for her senior project. She chose to train Sadie, a Canine

Companion hopeful.

Christine and her mother picked up the puppy Dec. 2, 1999, and is

required to spend a total 12 to 14 months teaching the golden retriever

basic obedience in preparation for becoming a service dog for the

handicapped.

“Our favorite command we taught her is ‘hurry,’ ” Christine said. “We

take her to the grass and say ‘hurry’ and she goes to the bathroom on

command.”

After the year of training, the pup will return to Canine Companions,

where she will have one chance to pass muster and become an aid for,

perhaps, a blind person.

If Sadie does not pass, Christine told the panel, she can still look

forward to a career as a therapy dog cheering up patients in the

hospital.

While the eight-minute limit seemed to hamper most of the students, who

had a lot of showing and telling to do, it worked out well for Christine.

Her companion, apparently very tired from doing what puppies do, decided

to take a nap in the middle of her presentation.

FYI

Who: High school seniors

Where: Corona del Mar High School

What: Presenting their senior projects

Why: Requirement for graduation