Trevor Law
October 7, 2016
Senior Project Proposal
A. ABSTRACT
I currently do not have a title chosen for a senior project, but I have a legal
issue and a topic. The topic is the long term effects of chemotherapy on childhood
education and development. The legal issue will be a parents right to refuse
treatment on behalf of their child versus the childs medical rights. The law related
to this topic is 63.2-1517 of the Virginia code and was applied in the case of
MOTHER DOE and FATHER DOE vs. Anthony Conyers, Jr., in his official capacity as
Commissioner of Virginia Department of Social Services. The project will focus on
the late effects of chemotherapy on children and how it affects childhood
development. In addition, the project will also address how chemotherapy affects
cognitive and physical development long term. I chose this topic because I feel that
there is a gap in knowledge within the school system when it comes to the way
chemotherapy affects children.
to what extent do parents have to deny medical treatment before the state gets
involved?
is it constitutional for the state to involve itself in the decision of medical treatment
for a child?
at what age is a child considered competent enough to make there own medical
decisions?
For my project, I would like to host a paintball match. I will call it Splatter for Life.
Each form of cancer has a specific color (ie. Pink for breast cancer) and I intend to
use specific colors that represent the different types of cancer. My consultant will
be Mr. Butler because he is a dedicated teacher that will give me helpful advice on
how to organize my project. My venue will be Fox paintball park within the month of
March or April. The event will raise money that will be donated to the Hematology
Lab at the Childrens Hospital of the Kings and Daughters. At my event I will give a
short speech to inform the audience about my topic. The success of my project will
be judged based on the feedback I receive from surveys handed out after the
project. I will need the following materials: paintball supplies (supplied by the
paintball park), flyers, posters, and a social media account.
B. LEARNING SKILLS
New: Enhanced:
event planning critical
thinking skills
proper etiquette when interacting with professionals communication
techniques
the steps to organizing a fundraiser writing ability
C. MARKETING PLAN/ FACILITIES/ AUDIENCE
My target audiences with my paper will be teacher faculty who might not fully
understand the effects of chemotherapy on learning, and the parents who might,
unfortunately, be going through the process of having their child receive
chemotherapy. They will learn about the long term effects on possible hardships
the child may face as a result of the chemotherapy. My project is targeted more
towards teenagersand young adults because paintball will be a fun experience
that will interest people into attending. They will benefit because they will know
a little bit more about their peers who have had the unfortunate circumstance of
going through chemotherapy, and they will have fun. I think the fact that the
fundraiser is at a paintball park will atract young adults because paintball is a
fun experience to have with ones friends, and the event is for a good cause.I will
use the following market strategies: flyers, social media, posters, and asking
teachers to promote my project.My venue will be at Fox Brothers Paintball Park.
D. PROJECT STEPS
Preliminary Steps Find a consultant and 4 hours
meet with them and
discuss concerns and
create a game plan for
this year
Research my topic and
begin writing rough draft
of my speech
Contact Mandy Tribe
from CHKD
Midway Steps Write a speech for my 4 hours
project
Create survey
Set up venue and make
sure paintball supplies
are provided for
participants
Later Steps Meet with Mr. Butler to 4 hours
make sure they are able
to come to my project
Host my project
Give a short speech at
my venue
Conduct a survey on the
success of my project
Follow Up Thank you letters to all 1-2 hours
of the people that helped
me
Donate money from the
fundraiser
E. Project Documentation
Photos
Videos
Weekly Journal Entries about progression
F. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
This project is a stretch for me because my topic is very specific that will
require quality research and focus. In addition, I want to challenge myself by
reaching my peers through my project and to advocate about an issue, but I
want to reach teachers through the quality of my paper and research. This is a
quality project because I am representing something that is bigger than myself. I
am trying to help a certain population of the people understand what can be
expected from chemotherapy, but I am also trying to connect with the school
system and make them aware of the struggles that these families have to face,
and I am just trying to help them understand the process a make it a little bit
easier.
G. PROJECT CONNECTION
My project is a fundraiser for cancer research and my topic is about the long
term effects of chemotherapy on childhood education and development. The
legal aspect will be a parents right to refuse treatment on behalf of their child
versus the childs medical rights. MOTHER DOE and FATHER DOE vs. Anthony
Conyers, Jr. is just one example of parents refusing the usage of chemotherapy
on their child. I have a topic the discusses the effects of chemotherapy, a project
that raises money for cancer research, a law regarding medical rights of a child,
and a precedent originating from Virginia that allows me to see how the court of
Virginia uses its interpretation of the constitution in order to make a ruling on the
refusal of treatment concerning chemotherapy. All of the aspects of my project
relate to each other and create something unique.
H. ACADEMIC HONESTY
My definition of academic honesty is really simple in order to avoid any form
of confusion.Do not lie, cheat, or steal.
I understand that any academic dishonesty by me on any part of the project will
result in failure of the Senior Project and forfeiture of the Legal Studies Seal on my
High School diploma.
