Orcas High School students are taking learning out of the classroom and into their hands as they complete their senior projects. From dog training to building sustainable housing to documentary film making, these seniors are learning life lessons through this year-long enterprise.

They will present their project June 9 at the Orcas Island High School.

Hailey Crowe’s project is training her dog Sullie, as  a service dog. Crowe takes Sullie with her to school, public places, and has participated in dog training classes.

“I’ve also been training to be able to become a certified therapy dog handler, and I am trying to certify Sullie as a therapy dog,” said Crowe.

Kyle Zbornik is constructing a small cabin using ordinary wooden shipping pallets as the primary building material. “My aim is to show the simplicity and environmental sustainability of alternative housing,” he said.

Jay Zier is working on a similar project of building a camper using recycled and/or repurposed materials. The idea is that reusing materials keeps costs down and is better for the environment.

Mason Brown is rebuilding a cabin top and rails for a 20-foot “Friendship Sloop” sailboat.

Braden Smith is working on a short documentary film relating to the discovery of an ancient bison skeleton on the island several years ago. It includes in-depth interviews with parties involved and new information related to the find.​

Juliana Rose is learning two-dimensional animation on the program Adobe Flash. So far Rose has learned to animate a stick figure and bouncing ball.

Taj Howe is focusing on conceptual automotive design. “This senior project utilizes my skills and interests in art, design, mathematics, engineering and, of course, beautiful cars,” said Howe, who has been mentored by Oakley designer, Lek Thixton, in sketching and clay modeling. His project will culminate with a portfolio of car design sketches, a power point on the process of learning a complicated computer modeling program and the creation of a clay hyper car that is exactly one tenths the size of an actual car. “Working independently and side by side with Lek has given me insight and knowledge about the precision, focus and endurance it takes to be a highly skilled professional designer,” he said.

Hannah Brunner-Gaydos has fundraised for Hearts in Motion, which is an organization that provides care and medical treatment for children, families and communities. She traveled to Guatemala with a group of surgeons who performed cleft palate surgeries.

“I got to spend a week learning from amazing dentists and surgeons while helping improve the quality of life for many children and adults alike,” she said.

Arianna Dean is focusing on the negative environmental impacts of industrial farming, and possible alternatives to industrial farming. She has met with local farmers to learn what it takes to run a small, organic farm. “I am compiling research to calculate the possibility of abolishing industrial agriculture altogether, and figuring out what it would take to do so,” she said.

Daria Stankevich is focusing on the social development of first to fourth-graders at Orcas Island Elementary School. Primary Intervention Program Coordinator Margie Sabine and Stankevich hosted focus groups on an anti-bullying, confidence-building, friendship and anger management curriculum.

“Our goals are to help children better communicate with each other in essential years of development and character building,” said Stankevich.

Lesley Ferrell is creating an exhibit for the Orcas Island Historical Society on Dr. Agnes B. Harrison, the first female doctor in this territory. Kilee Rogers is putting on a to-go dinner to raise money for the farm-to-cafeteria program in the elementary school. Demitri Pence is clearing scotch broom, a noxious weed, from around the football field.

Lee Pollard is designing and building unique cat trees for the animal shelter.

Maddie White is learning to sew and design an original garment. William Coe is receiving his scuba diving license. Lauren Ferrell is leading a group that focuses on gender-related issues.

“My goal is to help create more awareness and acceptance in our community,” she said.

Mikaela Hansen is putting on a benefit concert for the public school education system on May 23 at the Grange from 5-7 p.m. It will showcase the talents and stories of mentors/teachers and students of the island.

Emily Foster spent months organizing a baking competition between her senior class and  the senior center. On April 8, she was hit by a car, and while she has been recovering she has simplified her project into an afternoon of baking, sharing recipes and making new friends.

Melanie Flint is helping the teachers and leaders of the Japanese Connection Program at Orcas School District prepare for the 2015 trip. Flint participated in the program for the last two years.

“It opens up people to a whole new life and learning experience,” she said. “It exposes people to the world. The program gives people an opportunity to experience something they wouldn’t see on the island.”

The following students have already put on their project event: Keenan O’Brien rode in the annual multiple sclerosis bike ride in Mount Vernon. He rode nearly 120 miles and raised more than $10,000.

Cassidy Buehler choreographed a dance to the song “Yellow Flicker Beat” by Lorde and performed it with a group of girls for the community. Proceeds of the event funded Island Reproductive Health Initiative.

Celestine Jensen held an art show titled “Almost Hypnotic” at Kathryn Taylor Chocolates on May 1.

“I didn’t have the easiest childhood as a kid, but for me, art was a great release and a super confidence builder for me,” she said.