The Woodlands Individualized Senior Experience (WISE) empowers seniors to pursue self-directed projects that reflect their personal passions and future goals. The process began in February with a workshop where WISE students shared their topics with school and community members. Bouncing around ideas, seeking resources and guidance, students laid the groundwork for their journey toward final presentations.
Each year, WISE coordinators select one student to deliver a Model Presentation before an audience of teachers, peers, faculty, Board of Education and community members. This year, that honor went to senior Maritza Calderon. “Maritza nominated herself to give the Model Presentation,” said Samantha Angilletta, WISE coordinator. “This year’s projects were all so unique, reflecting our students’ passions and future paths. It was so hard to pick a model presentation, but when Maritza pitched me the reasons why she should be the model presenter, she sold me. She has shown so much confidence throughout the course of getting to this day.”
Maritza’s journey to this moment was anything but linear—making the recognition even more meaningful. “At first I thought I wanted to start a business for my WISE presentation, and then I thought I wanted to do something on body image and positivity. But I realized it wasn’t something I truly connected with,” she said. “I decided to connect my WISE project to my studies of criminal justice because I discovered that’s what interests me the most.”
Her thoughtful and well-rehearsed presentation, Police Academy, reflected her deep knowledge and passion for law enforcement, drawing on what she learned through SWBOCES and through certification and training programs in security, first aid, CPR, 911 dispatching, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Maritza's presentation also featured visual aids and props that brought her scenes to life.
Focusing on various law enforcement procedures—such as fingerprinting, pat-downs, de-escalation tactics, DUI assessments, and handcuffing—Maritza staged demonstration scenes with student actors Cidney Bien-Aime, Giovanni Robinson, and Jan Calderon to model safe, effective practices in specific encounters. Attendees also learned about fingerprint types—loop, whorl, and arch—and had the chance to identify their own using ink and a deflated white balloon supplied by Maritza.
When addressing high-conflict situations, Maritza emphasized that staying calm and understanding body language are essential to everyone’s safety. “Understanding what a police officer goes through was very informative. Your ability to teach us and bring us into the experience by making it interactive and engaging exemplifies the success of a student,” said Mandel Holland, WHS teacher and WISE evaluator.
“Maritza’s research included factual insights into the court system, women in law, freedom of speech cases—such as Susan B. Anthony and women’s suffrage—and immigration-related family separation,” said David Warner, Board of Education Trustee and WISE evaluator. “While her presentation focused on law enforcement, all of her work centered on one theme: rights. On the one side, there are riot police upholding the law; on the other, peaceful civil protests. You seem to stand on both sides, and that is a very interesting point of view. I’m really happy with your presentation—you are going to succeed at whatever you do.”
Through curiosity, persistence, and purpose, Maritza’s WISE journey captured the essence of student-driven learning—bringing pride and inspiration to the Woodlands community along the way.
To see Maritza's entire W.I.S.E. presentation CLICK HERE
