After meeting with my advisor, Mr. Salinas, I have decided to focus the project away from the student/veteran modelmaking event and towards the research and construction element. Too much is out of my control, because of other students, pandemic protocol, and dealing with other organizations for the success of the project to hinge upon such an event.. Therefore, I plan to greatly simplify my plan by having every student build the same model and distributing them to veterans directly, through delivery with a note rather than through a formal event. In doing so, I will continue to execute the project's original goals of giving thanks to veterans and giving students an opportunity to learn modelmaking, but eliminate many unnecessary variables. Not having a formal event will reduce the pressure for students to finish their models by a certain time, make it easier for veterans to receive their models (as they will not have to make time to attend an event), and eliminate any unnecessary spending caused by such an event. I plan to expand my documented research beyond creating a simple caption for model and towards creating a comprehensive set of documents on Schonland, McCandless, and the San Francisco as a whole to allow Severn students and alumni alike to fully explore their stories. To effect this, I plan to reach out to the Naval Academy Museum and Naval History and Heritage Foundation, and attempt to connect with the San Francisco Association once more. I am meeting with the Severn Alumni Association next Tuesday to explore their collection of primary and secondary sources on Schonland and McCandless, a unique opportunity to capture otherwise inaccessible documents on the lives of both men. After meeting with Dr. Holtegrewe, I will begin proper construction of the San Francisco beyond photographic analysis and planning. Overall, this restructuring of the project should bring a greater emphasis on its elements that I directly control and reduce cost and risk for failure while staying true to the original goals of the project. I look forward to my meeting with the Alumni Association, and to exploring the stories of Schonland, McCandless, and the San Francisco in greater depth.
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Most excitingly, after an odyssey of almost three months, my kit of the San Francisco has arrived in the mail, as have all of its necessary paint and upgrade parts. Upon reviewing the kit, I definitely think that the photo-etch upgrades were worth it...the kit is beginning to show its age in certain areas, but I'm confident that I will be able to turn it into a far more detailed and accurate recreation of the San Francisco. I have spoken to Mr. Lagarde about a meeting with Dr. Holtgrewe, and I eagerly await any development on that front. Any advice or insight he has to give will be invaluable in the construction of the kit. I have also spoken to Dr. Grimes about the research element of my project. With the help of Severn's historical association, I will be able to use the Alumni Association's database of documents to take my research beyond what I was able to find on the internet. Sadly, the San Francisco Association has yet to respond to my email after a month, so I will have to write them off as a source of information, barring an unforeseen development. I have been very busy with back-to-school and college work over the past few days, but I plan to focus heavily on developing my website and presentation this weekend, to ensure it is ready for when I eventually present the project. Overall, the arrival of the kit and my meeting with Dr. Grimes has set up the project for further progress in the fall. I'm very excited to get my hands dirty constructing the San Francisco in the upcoming weeks, and I look forward to presenting my progress thus far.
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Alex BreniaMy name is Alex Brenia, and I am a senior at Severn School. I am passionate about military history and service to veterans, as I come from a military family. I see this project as a unique opportunity to combine both of these interests, within the scope of the Severn community as a whole. Archives
September 2021
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