Name: Lauren Seaver

Title of Project: Fight Like A Girl

Project Start Date: January 27, 2015

Project Completion Date: March 14, 2015

1. In 40 words or more describe your project and the steps you performed to complete it. What
did you produce or perform?
At the beginning of this school year, the media and press was spearheading a campaign
against sexual assault on college campuses and rape culture. Thinking about my friends and I
going to college next year, I was alarmed to know that any one of us could become a victim.
Therefore, my senior project was hosting a self-defense class open to all high school students in
the Virginia Beach city public schools. I discussed my project with a friend, and her uncle
volunteered to provide a space and his teaching services to make the class possible. Mr. De Los
Reyes, who owned the martial arts studio, met with me and advised me on my senior project. I
then wrote a short speech to present to the attendants about sexual assault and rape culture. On
the day of the event, I gave my speech and then Mr. De Los Reyes taught the class basic selfdefense techniques and methods to protect oneself from assailants.
1. In at least 40 words explain how the project challenged you, and what sort of time challenges
and resource problems did you encounter?
The project was difficult because I knew nothing about self-defense and martial arts. It was
a little difficult to find a date that coordinated with both my and Mr. De Los Reyes schedule, but
eventually we found an afternoon to hold the event on. Thankfully, I did not have many resource
problems. Mr. De Los Reyes was extremely generous and cooperative in helping me plan the
class.
1. List and then describe 5-8 fundamental ideas/concepts/skills of your project, which you
learned during your project.
Idea/Concept/Skill

Explanation

Event Planning

In order to prepare for the event, I needed to advertise and

coordinate logistics with Mr. De Los Reyes.

Compromise

In my original proposal, I planned to interview college

administrators from William & Mary, Virginia Wesleyan, and/or
Old Dominion and show videos of them to the class. However, they
did not answer my emails requesting interviews. Therefore I
needed to compromise, and I found that teaching the class was
effective and successful.

Advertising

In order to obtain class participants, I utilized social media and

flyers to advertise my event.

Technology Skills

In order to complete my required Weebly, I needed to strengthen

my technology skills. I had to learn how to build a website and
operate it.

Self-Defense

Mr. De Los Reyes needed to teach the class and I to do basic selfdefense techniques. I was used as a demonstrator for the class, so I

needed to step outside of my comfort zone. As someone who is not

athletic nor remarkably graceful, this was taking a big step in my
project.
1. List and describe 5-8 problems you encountered in your project, and briefly describe how you
solved each.
Problem

Explanation

Research

There were copious sexual assault cases online, however, I needed

to find cases that related to campus sexual assault and that
conveyed how cases are handled differently in each situation.

Technology

I have a very difficult time figuring out how to design my Weebly

so it was formatted in the correct way.

Logistics

It took me a decent amount of time to find a date that was free for
both Mr. De Los Reyes and I to host the class.

Contact-Response

I could not get in touch with the college administrators as I wished

to, so I had to compromise and give a speech myself to the class.

Public Speaking

I usually am a very anxious public speaker, so in this project I had

to conquer my fear of speaking in front of an audience, especially
strangers, to spread awareness of my topic.

1. Outline the process hours spent in completing the project.

A.

Estimated total hours spent on project: 21

{Should match those detailed in Progress Report}

A.

Estimated total steps involved in your project: 11

Modify number of steps to fit your project.

Step

Activity to Complete

Time (hours)

Step 1

Write and send proposal letters to give to

studio owner and self defense instructor

Step 2

Consultation meeting with Mr. De Los

Reyes to schedule and plan event

Step 3

Contact my managers at Duck Donuts to

have refreshments provided

Step 4

Contact ODU, Wesleyan, and W&M

about possible interviews for presentation
on college anti-sexual assault policies.
However, there was no response

Step 5

Create plan for class content and lesson

for Mr. De Los Reyes

Step 6

Write and practice speech

Step 7

Advertise event with posters,

announcements and social media

Step 8

Set up for class at the studio.

Step 9

Host class and presentation.

Step 10

Clean up the studio.

Write thank you notes to all those who

helped with the event, especially Mr. De
Los Reyes, the instructor, and any food
establishments that donated food.

Step 11

Total

21 hours

1. List materials used.

Office supplies
Refreshments
Social Media/Computer
Martial Arts studio

1. List all people who helped you on the project and briefly describe the help given.
Brooke De Los Reyes

Introduced me to her uncle who instructed the class, helped set up

and clean up on the day of

Mr. De Los Reyes

Provided use of the martial arts studio and instructed the class for
free

Leslie and Lyle Ainsworth

Helping set up and clean up, helping me rehearse speech, and

keeping me calm and motivated as loving parents.

Friends on Social Media

The reason I had such a large attendance for my event was that my
friends and I advertising my event on social media.

1. How does your completed project compare to the picture you had in mind when you started
the project?
My project fulfilled my vision of what I wished it would be. I had over thirty high school students
participate and everyone seemed to benefit from and enjoy the class. Even though I was unable to
show a video of college administrators discussing sexual assault, I believe the class was very

effective and interactive for everyone who attended.

1. If given the opportunity, what would you do differently now that you speak from experience?
I would have hosted more than one class. Everyone really enjoyed participating in the class and
was enthusiastic about the cause, so having more than one class would have enhanced our
knowledge of self-defense.
1. Now that the project is completed, explain/describe the stretch or challenge you
encountered/experienced.
I am usually very self-conscious speaking in front of an audience. I am also very clumsy and not
athletic, so demonstrating the techniques with Mr. De Los Reyes made me anxious. However,
there was very positive feedback from the class and everyone left knowing more about defending
themselves in case of danger.

1. Beyond the project itself, what did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I am very good at publicizing events and getting people to be enthusiastic about a
cause or issue. Seeing such a positive response to my class on social media was very rewarding.
1. What grade would you give yourself on the project? Justify the evaluation of your grade in at
least 25 words.
Grade: 92 (A-)
Justification:
I believe my project was very successful and Im very proud of the outcome. Although I
wish I could have stuck to my original proposal, not showing a video allowed my to focus on and
explain the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.