Senior Capstone Thesis
Class of 2022 Senior Capstone Topics
Mary Holland M. '22
How can fairy tales in the Western canon be adapted to promote socially-conscious and open-minded ideals?
Faculty Proctors
Colleen Belak
Michaela Toburen
Jimmy Zunka (mentor)
Meredith P. '22
How can the analysis of contemporary Middle Eastern fiction through the lens of violence, sexuality and power aid in identifying prejudice and highlighting authentic voices, narratives
Faculty Proctors
Jordan Taylor (mentor)
Emma B. '22
How did the rediscovery and subsequent myth of Pompeii impact the Neoclassical movement?
Faculty Proctors
Kate Bussey
Brandtly Jones (mentor)
Noelle R. '22
Should we strive for happiness or contentment and how do those look different in an individual versus collective setting?
Faculty Proctors
Antxon Iturbe
Michaela Toburen
Alison Ruff (mentor)
Maggie S. '22
How did different cultural backgrounds influence the mental health of teenagers?
Faculty Proctors
Sophie Speidel (mentor)
Esther Lezama
Victoria T. '22
How do different perspectives in Chinese and Western medicine lead to different treatments for Hashimoto's thyroiditis — based on current clinical research.
Faculty Proctors
Todd Jarry (mentor)
Tyler B. '22
Immunomodulation: how can we modify components of the immune system to augment our response to pathogens?
Faculty Proctors
Andrea Beardsley
Paloma Visscher-Gingerich
Todd Jarry (mentor)
Hudson S. '22
“Environmental, Social, Corporate Governance: Creating a Sustainable Business through Ethical Leadership” How Does One Create a Profitable, Ethical and Sustainable Business Model in the 21st Century?
Faculty Proctors
Laura Robertson (mentor)
Sarah C. '22
How does the Supreme Court reflect and impact the evolution of Women’s Rights in the mid to late 20th century?
Faculty Proctors
Liza Rubenoff
Anne Wending
Laura Robertson (mentor)
Channing S. '22
How did racism form the American ideas of diet culture, and in what ways does racism fuel modern-day fat-phobia?
Faculty Proctors
Paloma Visscher-Gingerich
Rosanne Simeone (mentor)
Hannah L. '22
How did the counterculture leave a lasting legacy of alternative communities from the 1960s to the present?
Faculty Proctors
Ian Watson
Terry Lippmann
Jordan Taylor (mentor)
John Ross
Brehanu B. '22
How can one use mathematical equations and models to compose music?
Faculty Proctors
Will Nichols (mentor)
Emily C. '22
How does climate change impact agriculture productivity in Virginia, and what mitigations can be adopted in the future?
Faculty Proctors
Pearce Johnson (mentor)
Antxon Iturbe
Charlie H. '22
What algorithmic strategies and optimal structures can be used to improve the efficiency and generalizability of Information Retrieval?
Faculty Proctors
Zach Minster
Frank F. '22
How did the transcontinental railroad shape US society?
Faculty Proctors
Jason Webster (mentor)
Hans B. '22
How Kissinger Asserted US Leadership through Diplomacy during the Post-October-War Negotiations?
Faculty Proctors
Jason Webster (mentor)
Kiernan Michau
Ruby A. '22
How can we use computer simulations to teach the Central Limit Theorem in a manner that is easily understandable and accessible to all?
Faculty Proctors
Sandra Sohne-Johnston
Brian Bartholomew (mentor)
Ally A. '22
How did humanism influence the changing approaches to education during the Italian Renaissance?
Faculty Proctors
Bob Clark (mentor)
The Senior Capstone is a unique opportunity to explore whatever subject you choose with the freedom of shaping your own learning experience. It allows you to combine your interests into one class. Although you work with mentors, you are the main guide in your research. I can guarantee that not only will you gain valuable time management lessons, but also acquire the skills to fit the level of professionalism the committee expects from you. In the end, the work you do will hopefully have a meaningful impact on the School and broader community!"
- Liza Khutsishvili '19, Recipient of the 2019 Senior Capstone Thesis Award