It was challenging because I had to balance all of my schoolwork, extracurriculars, college applications, and outside activities with the project.”

Alexandra "Xan" Maddock-Mark

Alexandra "Xan" Maddock-Mark was looking for a Senior Project. What she found was much, much more.

The Barrington High School senior spent months working with the Good Neighbors Soup Kitchen, Day Shelter and Food Pantry, filming and editing a series of videos celebrating the nonprofit organization's decades of work in the state.

The project culminated on Oct. 30, when Good Neighbors featured Xan's work with its Souper Soiree 30th Anniversary.

"Overall, I’m very appreciative of Good Neighbors for providing me with the opportunity to be of service and for all the work they’ve done over the years to support those less fortunate in Rhode Island," Xan said.

Xan started thinking about her Senior Project back in July. She had some experience volunteering with different organizations and knew she wanted to do something related to non-profits. Xan began researching non-profits in the area, when the school's Senior Project coordinators reached out to her — they were looking for a student interested in both a food pantry/soup kitchen and video production.

"In freshman year I took a TV/video production class at the high school…" she said. That class led her to work on the school's Sunrise news program.

"From there on, I quickly learned a lot and became interested in video production, journalism, and event broadcasting," Xan said.

The experience proved crucial. Xan spent 50-plus hours filming and editing 10 different videos — one features an interview with the East Providence mayor, and another offering a montage of food being prepared in the Good Neighbors kitchen. Xan also helped produce the nonprofit's Souper Soiree 30th Anniversary, which was streamed live on Oct. 30.

Xan said her project was challenging and educational.

"It was challenging because I had to balance all of my schoolwork, extracurriculars, college applications, and outside activities with the project," she said. "In the end, I felt really accomplished and had learned a lot about the organization as well as video/event production and editing."

Xan's work received rave reviews from those with the organization, including Good Neighbors board member and Barrington resident Virginia McQueen.

"She has been really incredible, capturing the essence of the important work done at Good Neighbors, including a 'kitchen takeover' by a professional chef," Ms. McQueen said.

Xan said there were many people who helped her with the Senior Project, including Good Neighbors officials Ms. McQueen, Jennifer Oristaglio and Ric Wild, as well as her friend and fellow BHS student Jack Culton.

"I could always lean on him whenever I had questions about the cameras or editing software and he also helped produce and plan the live event," Xan said. "I definitely could not have done this project without the help of these people and others, and I am very grateful to them."

More about Xan

• Hobbies and interests: "In school, I’m heavily involved in a couple clubs including Science Olympiad, Debate, and Sunrise. I’m a teacher assistant at Temple Habonim as well as a part of their youth group (BCTY). I really like reading, hiking, biology, playing catch, graphic design, cinematography, and video editing."

• Future plans: "I know I want to go to a four year college. I’m unsure what I want to major in but I have multiple interests that I would like to learn more about. This project allowed me to gain more hands on experience with video production that I’m looking forward to applying in my future. Learning more about Good Neighbors has also inspired me to become more involved with a non-profit organization while at college."