Visionscape Showcases Year's Work for Highly Capable, Directed Study Students at WHS

Junior DECA student Ethan Harris used his direct study time to analyze the feasibility of opening his own Dutch Bros. Coffee franchise. 

WENATCHEE HIGH SCHOOL – From Norse mythology to 3D printing, from the origin of chocolate to a study of the electoral college, the annual Visionscape symposium on May 30 at Wenatchee Valley High School gave Highly Capable (HiCap) students an opportunity to showcase direct study projects.

About 40 HiCap students gathered at WHS to show the community what they learned during direct study of their chosen topics over the last academic year. The program pairs some of the brightest students at WHS with staff mentors who guide them through their independent learning journey. 

Sophomore Simone Crane’s direct study looked at the ways an image can be manipulated using computer code. Under the guidance of Mr. Scott Feil, Crane’s direct study helped her learn concepts that will be be the AP Computer Science exam. Crane said she wants to study international business and economics, but a working knowledge of computer programming is still essential to know. 

“I feel like with the way our society is going, having computer science down is really important no matter what field you’re going into,” Crane said.

The event wasn’t just about showcasing projects, but also about inspiring students to stay creative, curious and thinking critically. Dr. Sue Kane, co-director of the Apple STEM Network, was guest speaker and imparted an inspirational message. 

She challenged all in attendance to change the way they look at failure. She said to approach failure like scientist. Scientists fail all the time, Kane said, but they look at failure differently. When scientists fail, they just call it data, chalk it up as a learning experience and move onto the next experiment. The key to sustaining that process is nurturing an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.   

Junior DECA student Ethan Harris used his direct study time to analyze the feasibility of opening his own Dutch Bros. Coffee franchise. 

“My finding was that Dutch Bros. was actually very easy to franchise,” he said. “The requirements are very limited, and franchising is a much easier option compared with college, which puts a majority of people in debt.” 

Though he definitely wants to get a college degree as a fall-back option, Harris said he feels a franchise is the way to go for him. Harris has attended DECA regionals, state and internationals during all three years of high school and plans to fine-tune this franchising plan to make it his DECA senior project next academic year. 



“Is the electoral college still relevant?” was the question aspiring lawyer and public servant Estela Navarro tackled. She used her direct study project to prepare for the AP United States Government and Politics exam, which she took in May.

She surveyed WHS staff members in addition to conducting her own research and came to the conclusion that the electoral college is not relevant in today’s modern American republic.  

“Senators, governors, the representatives in the House are all voted by the popular vote,” Navarro said. “That raises the question: ‘Why should the president be any different than anyone else being elected?’” 

Learn more about Wenatchee High School’s Highly Capable program by visiting the WSD 246 website at www.wenatcheeschools.org/hicap.