Learning Through Experience, Reflection, and Responsibility

For Makenna Stamm, Class of 2025, learning during the 2024–2025 school year extended far beyond the classroom. Her portfolio from Fleming County High School reflects a student who actively sought out real-world experiences, embraced challenge, and used reflection to guide growth.

Makenna describes herself as someone who likes to push beyond comfort, learn from mistakes, and become better every day. Her portfolio shows that commitment in action through professional learning, leadership, and resilience.

Seeing Education From the Inside

One of the most unique experiences in Makenna’s portfolio is her co-op placement with the Fleming County Board of Education. Working in the Central Office gave her a behind-the-scenes view of how school systems operate and how decisions impact students.

During her co-op, Makenna assisted with organizing data, managing resources, and supporting communication efforts. She learned how important organization is when serving a large school community and how prioritizing student needs guides daily work.

Her reflection highlights growth in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Observing education from this perspective helped her understand the systems that support learning and the responsibility involved in serving a community.

Exploring Healthcare Through Job Shadowing

Makenna’s interest in healthcare is evident through her job shadowing experience at River Valley Dental. There, she observed dentists and hygienists as they worked with patients and performed a range of procedures, from routine cleanings to minor surgeries.

She reflects on the level of precision, focus, and attention required in dental care. This experience gave her a realistic view of the profession and helped her connect classroom learning to real clinical settings.

Job shadowing allowed Makenna to ask questions, observe professional communication, and reflect on what it means to work in a healthcare environment. These insights helped shape her future goals.

College Readiness Through Dual Credit Learning

Makenna’s portfolio includes strong evidence of college readiness through dual credit coursework. She completed college-level classes in English, math, and communication while still in high school.

These courses required time management, collaboration, and independent learning. Makenna reflects on working with peers in English 100, collaborating in Math 174, and developing confidence through Communications 181.

Her success in these courses shows preparation for college expectations and the ability to balance rigorous academics with extracurricular commitments.

Problem-Solving and Personal Growth

Throughout her portfolio, Makenna reflects honestly on problem-solving as an area of growth. She shares that complex tasks can feel overwhelming and that confidence plays a role in how she approaches challenges.

Her reflections show progress. Through physical therapy, academic support, and persistence, she worked through injury setbacks from her junior year and returned stronger in both cheerleading and softball. This growth required resilience, self-awareness, and commitment.

Leadership, Service, and Teamwork

Leadership and service appear consistently across Makenna’s experiences. As cheer captain, she led practices, motivated teammates, and supported a positive team culture. She also participated in service activities, including community events and donation drives.

Her Student Innovation Choice reflects creativity and communication through designing promotional materials for school dances and events. This work combined leadership with innovation and vision for future goals.

A Story of Vibrant Learning

Makenna’s portfolio shows how learning deepens when students are trusted with real responsibility. Through her Central Office co-op, healthcare job shadowing, and leadership roles, she gained perspective on how systems function and how individual effort contributes to larger outcomes.

Her experiences highlight readiness built through persistence, reflection, and purposeful challenge. As a member of the Class of 2025, Makenna left Fleming County High School with practical insight, growing confidence, and a strong foundation for continued learning in college and beyond.