Alex Shebly chose to raise funds for Sober Living America, a non-profit that houses recovering addicts, as his senior project. He researched drug and alcohol addiction to better understand the issue. Through his project, he helped Sober Living America collect donations and items for residents while learning that running a non-profit is stressful work. Though the project added stress to his senior year, Alex feels more prepared for college time management after completing it. He has decided a career in non-profit ownership may not be the best fit but wants to continue helping others through volunteer work.

1. 1550 Owens Store Road
Canton, GA 30115
4/18/12
Judges, Senior Project
Creekview High School
1550 Owens Store Road
Canton, GA 30115
Dear Judges:
My name is Alex Shebly and I am a senior this year at Creekview High School. At this point in my life I am
not sure exactly what I want to do for a career. I am planning to go to college in the fall and see what
peaks my interest. For my senior project I chose to raise funds for a charitable organization. I enjoy
helping people in need so this seemed like a perfect opportunity to do that and challenge myself in
something I have never done before.
I chose to help an organization called Sober Living America. They are a non-profit organization that
houses recovering addicts who have nowhere else to live. I wrote my research paper o drug and alcohol
abuse, the signs and symptoms of these addictions, and how to get help. I wanted to understand
addiction and learn how to help family or friends that find themselves in trouble. Too often, people get
so trapped by addiction that they lose their jobs, family, and home as a result. Sober Living America is an
organization that helps these individuals that have nowhere else to go and no one to help them. The
biggest problem I faced in trying to figure out the best way to help was financial. A non-organization
relies on outside individuals or other organizations to help fund their operations. Since I do not have
endless funds myself, it was difficult to come up with a cost effective way to help. With the help of my
facilitator, we came up with my final project.
Through helping Sober Living America raise funds and collect items needed for their residents, I have
learned that ownership of a non-profit company is not easy. Even if you are not the owner, it is a very
time consuming, stressful, and even sad line of work. I have learned a lot about the business from my
project facilitator. Through my research, I also learned some good information regarding addiction. I
learned some tips to avoid becoming addicted myself, and signs to watch out for if a friend is in trouble.
Through this process, I have decided I would rather not build a career around non-profit business
ownership. To fulfill my desire to help others, I think my time would be best served through volunteer
work to help the non-profit business owners.
I have to be honest, this senior project was stressful for me. In a year where we are taking SAT’s and
ACT’s and getting ready for college, the project made this year a little tough. However, I have learned a

2. lot about my product and also learned great school skills about managing time and turning things in. I
now appreciate this project more because I feel that much more ready for college and how things are
going to be. Thank you to all the judges that have taken the time out of their busy schedules to look our
projects and give use valuable feedback that we can use in our future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Alex Shebly