FRISCO — Caps, gowns and speeches are the biggest thing in North Texas this week as high school graduations commence.
But for scores of Frisco Independent School District students, the most memorable part of the school year may not be walking across the stage, but the months they spent in the Independent Study and Mentorship Program.
"There's so much preparation, it's crazy the amount of work you have to do," said senior Ally Calandro, who planned her own charter school as her final project in the innovative program.
ISM, as the program is known, is offered at all seven Frisco high schools. It requires a student to:
  • identify a subject to study
  • convince a mentor to spend time with them
  • produce a "product" that summarizes what they've learned
Students then present a half-hour speech for their mentor.


Alina Naismith designed, wrote and illustrated a children's book as part of her study of pediatric occupational therapy. The book includes Naismith's artwork and unique dry erase panels that let children practice writing as they work through the volume.
Topics of study are diverse, and include everything from the exportation of wood chips to plastic surgery.
Some students say the most difficult part of the course is convincing a mentor to sponsor them, teach them, and spend several months with them.
It's not an easy sell.
"I studied pediatric endocrinology, and I had to call about 30 doctors," said senior Marissa Heintschel.


Sarah Meeks contacted News 8 producer Jason Trahan with a proposal to learn about investigative reporting. She succeeded in convincing him (and this reporter) to walk her through the essentials of reporting, investigating and interviewing.
Her final product was a TV news story about urban threats to wildlife.
Fortunately for the students at Frisco High School, there's Karene Goff-Owen to help guide them. "Their confidence grows exponentially throughout the year from the experience," she said.
Coach Goff, as she's affectionately known, is as much of a life coach as she is a teacher.


"Coach Goff is like my second mom," Meeks said.
Behind Goff's desk is her "Wall of Fame," which holds snapshots of dozens of her students whom she now considers her friends.
"They're my kids," she said. "Kids I've made a connection with, and hopefully impacted in some form or fashion."
As graduation arrives and the students move on with their lives, it's a bittersweet time for the life coach.
"I don't look at graduation as a goodbye," she said. "I fully expect many of them to keep in touch with me, and to come back and visit. I let them know that the door is always open here, and they're welcome to come back."