For all of the upcoming seniors, enjoy your last summer before adulthood while you can, because oral boards are coming up for you next year. Now, you’re probably wondering “Wait, I actually have to do something my senior year?” Well get ready, ‘cause the day’s gonna come before you know it and you must pass to graduate from high school.

For seniors, oral boards are the final presentation you give about what your plan is for starting adulthood after graduation. Throughout your senior year, you plan to create a successful future plan. The project consists of answering questions, such as the college your attending or what you’d like to major in.

At the beginning of your senior year, you have the opportunity to choose any Tahoma teacher to be your “mentor”. This person is the one that helps you stay on track in order to meet the requirements to pass oral boards, also known as the senior STEP project. Spots fill up fast, so be sure to ask the teacher you want during the first few days of your senior year.

Another strong piece of advice is to ensure you look the part. When you are a 12th grader, most likely you will have had a job before, it’s just like dressing up for your first job interview. The outfit you wear for oral boards could make or break your grade, and if you don’t pass you have to do it present it again and again until you pass to graduate.

Tahoma Senior, Jared Clayton speaks out about his preparation and how it helped him pass oral boards. He says, “ To make sure you are set and stone, you should practice your presentation with your parents and/or friends to make sure you have everything 100% down.” In addition, be sure to stay on top of your mentor meeting and STEP deadlines! If you don’t have your assignments turned in on time, it can result in a 10-25% reduction off your grade as time passes.

Tahoma French teacher Hilary Ledford says “Practice several times in front of other people to get your nerves out, practice timing yourself to make sure your speech is long enough but not too long. My last piece of advice is to use the checklist to make sure you include everything you’re supposed to include.” Practicing by yourself is helpful, but to be more confident in front of the judges take into consideration to present in front of some people beforehand.

The moral of the story is, be sure to stay on top of your STEP deadlines and ask for help throughout your whole senior year if you need help. Also, be prepared and ready to go so you will be one step closer to throwin’ that Tahoma tassel in the air.