Project Impact
Finding the Spark
Project Journey
Brainstorming & Conception
Initially, Arnav envisioned creating a blog for publishing his poems through Crimson Creative Publication. Working closely with his mentor, he developed a comprehensive list of writing options and potential mediums. While his initial focus was on poetry and short stories—formats he was already familiar with—Arnav's vision expanded beyond poetry into something more ambitious.
Discovery & Research
Jolene's approach to the project was methodical. Her journey started with making simple shapes - a square, then a circle - but her natural aptitude for the craft soon led her to master the intricate art of amigurumi (crocheted stuffed animals).
She invested time in mastering her craft, understanding how many days of dedicated work is required to complete one toy. With time and practice, she picked up the pace. Soon she developed efficient techniques to create high-quality, appealing products. At this time, her mentor helped brainstorm various possibilities for maximizing impact, encouraging Jolene to think beyond just creating and selling.
Development & Literary Exploration
The project began with an in-depth study of celebrated authors. Arnav identified three primary influences:
Rudyard Kipling Ruskin Bond Maya Angelou
In Arnav's own words about Rudyard Kipling:
"I like how he expresses the true motive of life in such a beautiful way. He taught me how to live life." This exploration led to a pivotal shift—from writing poems to undertaking a full-length novel. Drawing from his appreciation of how authors explore life's transformative journeys, Arnav developed The Road to Emerging Powers. His story follows an orphan's journey to becoming a hero, examining how surroundings and circumstances shape one's mindset and thoughts.
Strategic Planning
With growing confidence in her skills, Jolene developed a comprehensive plan to reach her community. Working closely with her mentor, Jolene developed an outreach strategy. At this stage, she started establishing relationships with market hosts, developing a production schedule, and creating a pricing strategy that would make her products accessible while maximizing their fundraising potential.
Her mentor assisted in drafting professional emails to market organizers, helping Jolene step out of her comfort zone to secure spots at the Dry Hill Sunday Market, Thousand Island Arts and Crafts Festival, and AYSO Ontario soccer games.
Writing & Publishing Process
Like every writer, Arnav faced his fair share of challenges. Writer's block tested his creativity, while maintaining motivation through long writing sessions proved demanding. The journey from first draft to published book involved hundreds of hours of editing and proofreading, requiring both patience and persistence. Through consistent mentorship, collaborative ideation, and rigorous editing sessions, he refined his manuscript until it met professional publishing standards.
The decision to pursue physical publication brought its own set of considerations. While digital platforms offered immediate feedback, Arnav recognized the enduring value of a printed book—particularly for reaching school audiences and serious readers.
His efforts paid off when he successfully pitched his concept to BriBooks, the world's leading children's creative writing platform. BriBooks' global distribution network, including platforms like Amazon, helped Arnav's work reach an international audience.
Leadership & Implementation
Jolene's project showed remarkable entrepreneurial spirit. She managed every aspect of her initiative - from creating over 30 handmade animals to handling direct sales and customer interactions. Her presence at local markets not only generated sales but also created meaningful connections within her community. The project caught the attention of local media, leading to newspaper coverage and social media recognition. This exposure resulted in community members donating yarn for her next phase - creating stuffed animals for children in local hospitals.
She now has an etsy store and is making a new supply of animals to give to kids at the local hospital, using yarn that was donated by the community!
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“When Katie first introduced me to the Crimson Capstone project, I had no idea what we could achieve or how much success we could have.
Jolene’s capstone project achieved outstanding results. Last week, we took the proceeds from the sale of her crochet animals and donated them to the SPCA. I want to express my gratitude to Lucia for always being there, and encouraging us to expand the capstone project. Your support has played an indispensable role in today’s success.”
With a background in dance, education, and political leadership, Lucia uses empathy to empower self-directed learning and values-based choices. She has mentored extensively through Bowdoin College initiatives and worked as a legislative aide for U.S. President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
As a professional artist, Lucia has premiered eleven original dance works at prestigious venues. Her diverse leadership skills and artistic perspective provide unique insights to students, focusing on cultivating strengths and empowering them to thrive.
Under her mentorship, students have gained admission to programs like Johns Hopkins CTY and Columbia Pre-College, while achieving success in speech, writing, MUN, and math competitions. Through active listening and collaboration, she helps students develop impactful projects while building essential leadership skills.