Facebook page created in attempt to omit project from graduation requirements

Traditionally, Fossil Ridge High School seniors have compiled their best work as part of a senior portfolio, which makes up a large portion of their advisory grade. This year, with standard changes and the prospect of creating an online version instead of the print versions of past years, several students have chosen to boycott the project altogether.

This boycott stemmed from a Facebook page created April 2 by senior Dan Penoyer. “Senior Portfolio Boycott” had 118 pledgers by April 4, the due date for many advisories. “I think it’s a lot of useless busywork that is an attempt to make advisory seem meaningful and worthwhile, and I’d like to see some changes to advisory in the future,” Penoyer said in an interview with Etched In Stone.

With posts like, “This will work if everyone agrees not to turn it in,” by Penoyer, many students were drawn in by the idea that they wouldn’t have to complete the assignment the night before its due date.

The word spread quickly as many of Penoyer’s peers approached him with questions like, “Is this boycott real, is it actually happening?” While students responded to the Facebook page, Penoyer received no feedback or repercussions from FRHS staff.

Many students agreed with senior John Carlin’s post, “I haven’t even started mine yet,” and Adam Greer’s, “I didn’t even know those were due.”

At 9:28 p.m. the night before many of the advisors planned on accepting the assignment, Penoyer wrote the final post addressing the FRHS senior class. “When you look back years from now, will you be glad you turned in your portfolio, or glad that you took a stand?”

Though Penoyer’s advisory teacher, Ms. Rota, has not collected portfolios yet, Penoyer still plans on boycotting the assignment. “I can’t turn it in now!”

In reality, many of the FRHS students ended up turning in their portfolios on their specified due dates. “The portfolio allows students to realize their accomplishments throughout high school,” senior Haley Osborn said of her portfolio—which she turned in on time. “[It] lets us reflect on the past four years.”