Capstone Student Showcase

Laurel’s Capstone Scholars Program provides enterprising and motivated students the opportunity to engage in personally meaningful work that tackles real-world challenges and creates real-world solutions.

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List of 17 news stories.

"Viscera:" A Collection of Horror Stories

Cici Cao ‘25

Mentor: Irene Gibson, author of the The Defiers Trilogy
Faculty Support: Megan Weiskopf
Summary: I wrote a collection of short stories around a central theme of horror titled Viscera and published a blog-style website.

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Genetic Engineering: Problems & Solutions

Eva Gross ‘25

Mentor: Marsha Michie, Associate Professor, Department of Bioethics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University
Faculty Support: Howard Schott
Summary: I researched modern uses of genetic modification and therapies, then created a series of essays and published them on a blog to share the information I had collected in an understandable manner.

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Culture Shock: A Guide to Adapting to Life in the U.S.

Katie Izanec ‘25

Mentor: Charva Jackson, Immigration Services Advisor, University of Akron
Faculty Support: Kimberly Dailey, Andy Repko
Summary: In order to help international students adjust to living in the US, I created a journal that teaches about culture shock and offers insights and tips about American culture.

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Architecture: Designing & Building a Nature Playscape

Kate Jaycox ‘25

Mentors and Faculty: Jessica Allen, Laurel Campaign Director; Mary Ann Pellerano, Laurel Facilities Director; Kathy Jankowski, Landscape Architect at Knight & Stolar Inc.; Heather Havre, Director of the Primary School, Grades 3-5 at the Butler Campus
Summary: For my project, I knew I wanted to do something architectural.

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Pakistani Art, History, and Folktales

Fara Latifi ‘25

Mentors: Sonya Rhie Mace, Ph.D., Curator of Indian and Southeast Asian Art, Cleveland Museum of Art; Murad Khan Mumtaz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Art, Williams College
Faculty Support: Darius Steward, Joy Barton
Summary: Inspired by my love for art and history, along with my desire to learn more about my Pakistani heritage, I created an original painting based on a popular Pakistani folktale using historical materials and styles.

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Neuroscience: Young Blood Plasma Administration in Alzheimer's Disease

Elizabeth McCollum ‘25

Mentors: James Sulzer, Ph.D., Professor at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Texas, Linda Noble-Haeusslein, Ph.D., Professor at University of Texas, Betty Kemper, Founder of Kemper House and Co-Founder of Kemper Cognitive Wellness, Kristen West, Co-Founder of LNHA, President of Kemper Cognitive Wellness
Faculty Support: Howard Schott
Summary: For my Capstone project, I focussed on studying neurodegeneration and investigating specific treatments for cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). I wrote a literature review of the current understanding of young blood plasma administration and young blood parabiosis and their impacts on the progression of AD. I also conducted a survey to learn more about the behaviors of Alzheimer’s patients I studied and their manifestations in real life.

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Astrophysics and Radio Astronomy: Building a Dual Dipole Telescope

Katie Northrop ‘25

Faculty Support: Brian Carpenter, Brian Rafferty, Brian Hosier
Summary: I built a dual dipole radio telescope through Radio Jove in order to research Jovian Io storms and the solar eclipse. My findings were published on my original website. I used Capstone to learn about astronomy, as well as the scientific and original research process as a whole.

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Living in Blackness: Exploring Racial Identity Through Essays & the Creation of an Affinity Group

Sophia Rucker ‘25

Faculty Support: Kristen Hicks
Summary: I wrote a book about my life as a Black young woman growing up in a world that favors the white population. This book is called Living In Blackness and was created during my first year as a Capstone scholar, and ended with it being published and is now available on the Barnes & Noble website. Within my book, there is a collection of short memoir stories, poetry, rhythm writing, and discussion questions to observe oneself and rethink privilege.

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Animation Studies: Critiques of Sexist Art and Writing in a Male-Dominated Space

Claire Sheeler ‘25

Faculty Support: Howard Schott
Summary: I created a series of video essays dissecting sexist art and writing in male-dominated spaces such as video games, anime, and comics. I’ve been interested in these art forms for as long as I can remember, and have encountered virulent sexism from other players and fans—from anime fans defending the objectification of young female characters to a pair of Overwatch players who argued that female players’ “ineptitude” at an online combat game was proof women didn’t deserve to vote. These experiences, combined with my longtime passion for feminism, inspired me to critique the characterizations of female characters that enable and legitimize these attitudes.

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Biomedical Engineering: An Assistive Device for Quadriplegics

Vanessa Sheppard ‘25

Mentors: Blake Perkins PT, DPT, ATP, Bryn Spiker, CWRU graduate student
Faculty Support: Karen Redmond
Summary: For my Capstone project, I created a voice-activated robotic arm to assist people with spinal cord injuries.

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[CodeHers CLE]: Computer Science Education for Middle School Girls

Ella Witalec ‘25

Mentor: Tyler Thornton
Faculty Support: Kimberly Corrigan
Summary: For my Capstone project, I started an organization to provide free computer science education to middle school girls in the Cleveland area. Collaborating with the Breakthrough Charter schools and the Cuyahoga County Public Library system, I offered Python and HTML programming workshops to more than 52 local girls.

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How to Hunt Witches: An Historical Novel

Shaliz Bazldjoo '24

Faculty Support: Abby Murphy, Faina Polt, Howard Schott, Megan Weiskopf
Summary: I researched and wrote a novel about queer enclaves in American history.
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Social Entrepreneurship: Puppy Mill Awareness

Emiko Dallas '24

Mentors: Aviva Vincent, Missy Rose, Jean McGhee
Faculty Support: Howard Schott, Missy Rose, Joy Barton
Summary: I started an organization called Bow Wow Bow Ties that raises awareness against puppy mills. I design, make, and sell a variety of bow ties for pets. All of my sales are donated to Bailing out Benji, a non-profit that fights against puppy mills across the US.
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Original Research: A Study of the Sleep Health of Laurel Students

Sophie Gellis '24

Mentor: Grace Willer, Ph.D., Director of Learning Strategies, Laurel School
Faculty Support: Tori Cordiano, Ph.D., Director of Research, Laurel Center for Research On Girls
Summary: For my Capstone project, I focused on sleep deprivation in adolescent girls.
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Colors of Heart: Short Fiction and Poetry

Jordyn Lipford '24

Mentor: Irene Gibson, author of the The Defiers Trilogy
Faculty Support: Howard Schott, Director of Capstone Scholars Program
Summary: As an avid reader, I wanted to utilize Capstone as a tool to hone my writing skills and to craft stories of my own. I developed a portfolio of poetry pieces and short stories.
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Music Therapy: Nickel Pickle's Childrens Songs for Developing Social Skills

Nicole Samala '24

Mentors: Susan Gardstrom, Ph.D., MT-BC, University of Dayton professor emeritus; Christine Barton, MM, MT-BC, music therapist in private practice
Faculty Support: Kristen Sector, Ida Porris, Nicole Franks, Jennifer Casa, Joy Barton
Summary: Inspired by my interest in music therapy, I wrote and produced six original children's songs teaching social and communication skills.
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Economics: Keynesian Theory, Welfare, and Employment

Kathryn Tracanna '24

Mentor: Amyaz Moledina, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Business Economics, The College of Wooster
Faculty Support: Joe Corsaro
Summary: I have always been curious about governmental policy. I took this interest and merged it with economics to produce a study of welfare policies in the United States.
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