For four years, Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (EBA) students at Kempsville High School have watched seniors in professional dress holding note cards and clicking through slides in front of a room packed with people. The capstone presentation they are asked to give highlights the research they’ve done throughout the year with their senior internship. This past week, it was finally the EBA Class of 2025’s turn.
“Through the capstone presentation process, we want students to showcase their signature experiences through their internships in a program-wide presentation,” says Mrs. Sarah Routsis, the EBA’s Senior Internship Coordinator. “Students identify a research topic that correlates with their internship experience to showcase their findings. The capstone showcases their ability to synthesize critical issues, address problems, or assist a business or organization in meeting goals.”
Many seniors feel as though their capstone directly ties into their past four years in the academy, not just their time in their internship.
“I feel like my capstone is tied into my time at the academy because it basically encompassess and tests all the skills I’ve learned,” says senior Brody Carranza, who interned at Atlantic Physical Therapy. “Specifically being professional, having to dress up, and communicate professionally really shows the skills I’ve learned in my four years.”
Like Brody, each senior completes an internship that not only builds skills but helps guide their post-high school plans. Bri Quiter, who interned with Virginia Beach Parks & Rec, focused on her presentation on accessibility, community, and inclusion.
“My internship shaped my project,” she says. “It helped me realize the values I hold close and gave me the chance to grow by stepping out of my comfort zone.”
The process isn’t always smooth sailing, it comes with challenges, edits, and more than a few late-night slide deck touch-ups.
“Initially I was very proud of it,” Quiter says. “After getting feedback back though, I felt like I could’ve done a lot better and tied things together more.”
That humility and growth mindset is something Routsis sees every year.
“Each year capstone presentations improve tremendously simply because we up the ante,” she said.” “A huge part of the creation and development of the process has been trial by fire. Students work to improve their final products with the idea of the previous capstones they’ve seen before.”
That’s why younger students are invited to watch, it’s a tradition. Wide-eyed freshmen watch in awe, probably wondering how they’ll ever make it there. But when they do, they’ll feel just as shocked when it’s finally their turn.
“My internship taught me a lot. Whether that was taking risky opportunities or just learning new skills,” Carranza says. “I didn’t even know if this was what I wanted to do, but I took the opportunity. I learned a lot from that risk.”
In addition to the life lessons, the EBA senior internships help students build standout resumé experience that sets them apart in the college application process,” Routsis says. “The role of a mentor is critical. They help students acclimate, grow, and provide feedback along the way.”
The capstone is a rite of passage for EBA students. But, it’s also a powerful reflection of everything they’ve learned, achieved, and discovered about themselves. It’s emotional. It’s impressive. And it’s occasionally chaotic in the best way.
After all, what better way to end your high school career than standing in front of a crowd of people, dressed to impress, armed with life experience, and ready to tell the world what you’ve learned.
