11th Grade: 2024-2025

Podcast Project

Zach Ledoux

Space Podcast

December 2024

Mr. Gillette, AP English Language

Communicate Ideas

The podcast project was my midterm assignment for AP English Language and Composition. I worked with Madison Rajaratnam and Allie Putnam to create an investigative podcast on any subject of our choosing. We decided to look at space travel, aliens, space junk, and anything to do with space and how humans are expanding into it. I set up an interview with a retired professor who had worked on international space committees as our expert on the subject. He was amazing and gave us so much insight into the subject. I also worked for countless hours to create the script for our podcast, and I also provided the audio recording equipment. After we finished recording everything, we edited all the elements together and submitted our finished podcast titled "Milky Way Mysteries".

I learned some valuable skills on this project. I learned how to write a script and make it entertaining, knowing that there would be no visual stimulus for the audience. I also learned more about editing software and more specifics on how they work. Finally, I learned how to conduct an interview with a stranger from another country online, record the interview, ensure the guest is comfortable, and gain their perspective efficiently. This project changed my thinking as I understood more about how space expansion works for humans and the dangers and risks of future missions into space. I gained more knowledge about how space missions may help us grow, but also, the trash they leave behind can maroon our society on Earth forever. This project connects with the JAGS Pillar of Communicate Ideas. We had to communicate the ideas about space from our personal accounts, the data from our research, and from our expert into a format that anyone could understand. We were tasked with being able to effectively communicate this knowledge to others in an entertaining audio format. I became a better global citizen during the project as I learned about space and international cooperation relating to space exploration. Thus, I gained a better understanding of how countries interact in the present, relating to something that determines the future.

Political Party

Zach Ledoux

Political Party Campaign

September 2024

Miss Stone, JAGS Model UN

Communicate Ideas

The Political Party assignment was an assignment given to me in JAGS Model United Nations. The goal of the assignment was to recognize what was important to me as an individual in politics and make a party that protects that interest. At the time, I was interested in the economy and how the upcoming elections would influence it. So I created the "Wealth for All Party". My party aimed to protect the average citizen and their financial properties while also opening the door for others to have their wealth. The party aimed to create more job opportunities and develop more affordable housing in low-income areas. Then I had to create a poster for my party, which is depicted in my artifact, and then this poster was displayed behind me as I presented my party to the rest of my class.

The skills that I learned on this project were very unique. I learned about graphic design and how to create a poster. I also enhanced my skills in public speaking and presenting without a script or notes. This project changed my thinking as I realized the things that are important to me in politics. I value equal opportunity for all and fair treatment for everyone. This project connects to the JAGS Pillar of Communicate Ideas. I had to create a poster to communicate the ideas of my party, as well as communicate them in my short presentation to my class. This project made me a better global citizen as I learned more about American politics and how they work. I also learned about how assemblies work and how voting and connections operate within them.

Perry Fun Fest

Zach Ledoux

Perry 6th Grade Fun Fest Volunteering

March 2025

Dave Kurzen, Volunteer work

Take Action

In March of 2025, I volunteered at Pfeiffer Intermediate School at the Fun Fest they hosted for the 5th and 6th graders. There were games, inflatables, animals, arts and crafts, and various other activities. I worked on running some of these activities and, overall, doing anything that required my help. I worked in the art room for a large majority of the time, helping the kids with their crafts and doing anything that the teachers asked me to do.

I learned various skills while doing this volunteering. I learned how to interact with younger kids and make things exciting and enjoyable with them. I also learned how to work efficiently in a high-stress environment like a middle school. This work changed my thinking as I realized just how interesting it is to work with younger people and help them enjoy life and be happy. I also understood more just how helpful volunteer work is to people and the impact it can have on your community. This event connected me with the Take Action Pillar of JAGS. I took action by volunteering and doing work in my community to serve others in various ways. While volunteering at Pfeiffer, I became a better global citizen as I improved my community and worked with others to create a positive impact on young minds.

Europe Trip

Zach Ledoux

Europe Trip

March 2025

Miss Stone, Mr Knopick, JAGS Class of 2026

Investigate the World

March 2025 contains one of the greatest experiences of my life. During this month, I traveled to Europe with the JAGS class of 2026. We traveled to 5 countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. We spent several days on this trip experiencing the cultures of these nations. We were on a guided tour, but there were times when we went off on our own and got to explore the tourist attractions. From climbing the Eiffel Tower to singing with drunk Germans in a bar, we experienced unimaginably great moments that I will never forget. It was an incredible trip, and I hope someday I get to go to Europe again and experience more of the continent.

I learned many skills on this trip. I learned how to travel more efficiently and quickly in an airport. I learned how to travel by train and how the system works. I also learned how to play a new instrument, the Alpenhorn. This trip changed my thinking in a couple of ways. I recognized that I enjoy traveling with my friends. I also went out of my comfort zone and tried foods I normally would not eat, and did things I normally would not, so I could understand the culture better. Initially, I believed that all of the locals would not like us because we were Americans and we have a bad reputation, but everyone I interacted with was very nice and willing to help me. I connect this trip with the JAGS Pillar of Investigate the World. The whole trip, I was experiencing the world and gaining a better understanding of it. New languages, new foods, new cities and countries, and new people allowed me to know more about the world than I ever would have here in Ohio. This trip made me a better global citizen because I got out in the world and made my own impressions of it, and saw how people interact on the other side of the world, and overall gained more knowledge about the world and what goes on in it.

Bridge Project

Zach Ledoux

Bridge Project

November 2024

Mr. Robison, Physics

Take Action

The Bridge Project was a project that I completed in Physics with my group members, John and Gavin. We worked for multiple weeks to build a model bridge, built with the intention of being able to hold as many pounds of sand as possible. We spent time researching the kind of bridge we wanted to make. We then created a design of our bridge and planned out exactly how we wanted to build it. We spent countless hours gluing, sanding, and cutting wood to build our model bridge. After we finished building it, it was time to test it. A bucket was attached to our bridge via a chain. Then our teacher, Mr. Robison, began pouring the sand into the bucket. In the end, our 11-gram bridge held 23 pounds of sand before falling.

I learned many good skills on this project. I learned how to build and create something out of wood and how to use glue more efficiently for building. I also learned about architecture and how it is designed and then executed. The most important skill I learned was how to push myself to a high level to meet a deadline, doing whatever was necessary to get the project done. This project changed my thinking in a few ways. I recognized that a school project can be really interesting and teach you fun skills that you would not learn on your own. I realized that I like building things and creating something out of nothing with my hands. I also learned that working in groups can be very helpful when everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal. The Bridge Project connects with the JAGS Pillar of Take Action. This is because the whole project is about action. We had to build and work together to achieve one concentrated thing. There was a lot of effort and time put into getting to our goal. We had a goal and a plan, and we executed it. This project made me a better global citizen as I learned more about infrastructure and how it is built. I also learned about the history of bridges and architecture and how they have influenced our society as a whole.

Page updated

Report abuse