Dr. John Moore, Shaker Heights Schools IB Coordinator and Diploma Programme Coordinator,
in his office. Behind him are pictures of current and past Diploma Programme candidates.
“For these Extended Essays, the students are doing research that is above and
beyond what happens at the undergraduate level,” says Moore. “And they are finding
intersections of ideas and topics that are interesting to them and that they can explore.
These essays aren’t recitations of information. They’re a synthesis.”
Aaliyah says that she’s still considering the topic of her Extended
Essay, but she has some general ideas. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to
be an activist and to behave and act like someone others can look up to,” she says. Her
mother, Jacqueline Williams, knows that whatever topic her daughter chooses, it will be
the right one for her.
“The IB Programme has pushed Aaliyah and fostered her ability to articulate
how she feels in any situation,” Jacqueline says. “She was already a passionate child,
but for her desire and ability to try and have a positive impact and enact change on a
situation, I credit that to Shaker.” SL
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