5/22/08

Senior project fills ECEAP need

When Lakewood’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) realized that two of the children in this year’s class would benefit from having a Russian interpreter in the classroom, the staff turned to Lakewood High School for help.

ECEAP teachers contacted Cassie Forsell, the high school adviser in charge of the Senior Culminating Projects, to explain the need. Within a few days, Lakewood ECEAP was contacted by Liana Rachko, who was excited about the prospect of completing her Senior Project by volunteering in the ECEAP classroom as an interpreter. Fluent in the Russian language, Lianna is interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education or as an interpreter.

Spending two afternoons a week in the classroom, Lianna has enhanced the learning environment for several Russian-speaking children and has helped them feel more comfortable in the classroom. The youngsters have begun to interact more openly and confidently with peers.

Lianna’s influence was so positive, the ECEAP program staff welcomed the addition of Roman Bay, another Lakewood High student fluent in Russian.

This is the first year that the graduating class of Lakewood High School has been required to complete a Culminating Senior Project.