March 27, 2015

Shay Vaughn
10800 Highway 707
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Dear Judges;
My name is Shay Vaughn and I am a Senior at Saint James High School. Over the past four years
at Saint James, I have kept myself involved. From freshman to junior year I was a member of the
marching bands colorguard. In my junior year, I was elected as Junior Class Vice President, and
as a senior, I currently serve as the Student Body Vice President. At the beginning of this year, I
was also elected Spirit Club President. Since freshman year, I have been part of the Saint James
High School Drama Department. I have been in several of Productions including; Sound of
Music, Fame, Footloose, and The Audition. As a member of the drama department, I was
inducted into the International Thespian Society my junior year. As a senior, I was elected
secretary of the schools Thespian Society. I will graduate as an Honor Thespian. Not only have I
been involved in drama at my school, I am also a member of my churchs Fine Arts team, where
I competed at a national level six years in a row. At my church, I have also been a co-worship
leader, childrens ministry worker, and a member of an interpretive worship dance team. At Saint
James High School, I have been part of the Shark Attack News team for two years. This year, I
am the schools Broadcast Journalist Editor. In the midst of all my extra curricular activities, I
maintain a high GPA, and am a member of the National Honors Society. I will graduate this June,
and will attend Anderson University beginning in the fall. At Anderson I hope to major in
Communications Digital Media and minor in Theater, in order to pursue my dreams of working
at CBS.
In the process of deciding a topic for my Senior Exploration, I knew I wanted to do something I
was passionate about. Sex trafficking is something that has been laid on my heart on several
occasions. It is a horrendous crime, and in todays society it is easily hidden. Through my Senior
Exploration, I wish to spread awareness of this crime, in efforts to stop it. During research, I
found that locally, sex trafficking, is happening on a large scale. It frightens me to think about
this crime being in close proximity to myself and my family. When I dug further into the crime,
it disgusted me how these men treated women and how manipulative they are. I could not
imagine how a person could endure so much torture and abuse. I had a heavy heart after
research, and I wanted to help in some way. In the future, I hope to help counsel or help women
out of brothels and homes that trafficking is occurring in.
The Senior Exploration process has been fairly simple because I chose a topic that I am serious
about. It has helped that I have a wonderful team of teachers guiding me through the process.
Throughout my process the only problems I have faced were dealing with finding a place to do
service hours. Since sex trafficking is immensely hidden and victims are not open, it was
challenging to find someplace I could help. I chose to do a seminar for young girls, and women,

to make them aware of what could happen to them if they fall victim to sex trafficking. Doing
Senior Exploration has helped me grow as a person as well as a student. I have been able to
mature because sex trafficking has serious subject matter. Academically, I have become willing
to dig deeper to find information on the subject.
Thank you for your participation of the Senior Exploration. I would like to thank you for
allowing me share my experience with you, and for viewing my portfolio. I would also like to
thank you for the time you have sacrificed to be here today, it is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,

Shay Vaughn
Shay Vaughn