Vermont Academy Seniors Tackle Big Questions Through Capstone Projects

The Capstone Seminar is an intensive experience intended to synthesize a student’s cumulative learning into a substantial final product. Seniors begin by identifying a meaningful research question, then spend months engaging with existing scholarship, developing a methodology, and producing a thirty page paper.
Participation in the Capstone Seminar is selective, with students applying in the April of their junior year, demonstrating strong academic readiness, and securing both an on campus and off campus mentor. While topics may evolve early on, the process demands sustained focus and discipline. For many, the capstone becomes a defining academic experience and a bridge to future college studies.

For the Class of 2026, capstone projects span a wide range of disciplines, from neuroscience to psychology to global social issues.

Eli Boxer ’26 chose to explore one of the most complex questions in science: “How do we Become Conscious Entities? An Exploration of the Biological Processes that Create the Conscious Experience.” Drawn to systems thinking, Boxer was fascinated by how microscopic neural activity can give rise to something as abstract as consciousness. “It is not intuitive in how the little things, neurons, create this big thing,” he explained. With guidance from his on campus mentor, science faculty member Mr. Echanis, Boxer spent the year grappling with this challenging concept. The experience has strengthened his interest in biological systems, which he now plans to pursue in college. Reflecting on the process, he emphasized the importance of genuine curiosity stating “students should only commit to a capstone if they are deeply interested in their topic”.

Perrin Hahn ’26 focused on a more recent and personal issue in her project, “The Socio-Emotional and Educational Effects of COVID-19 on Adolescence.” Inspired by her own experiences during the pandemic, Hahn set out to determine whether her struggles were shared by others. Working with mentors Ms. Kotch and humanities faculty Ms. Curtis, she examined the broader psychological and academic impacts of COVID-19 on teenagers. Hahn noted that her capstone deepened her interest in psychology, a field she already planned to pursue in college. As she weighs options including UC Santa Cruz, Bates, and UC Santa Barbara, she encourages underclassmen to take time selecting a topic they truly care about, given the significant commitment the project requires.

Hannah Nuwagaba ’26 took an international and deeply personal approach with her capstone, “The Evolution of Gender-Based Violence in Uganda, Focusing on Femicide as an Effect.” Through collaboration with her on-campus mentor, humanities faculty Mrs. Gilbert-Hodgson, and off-campus mentor Shamim Nalugemwa, a lawyer specializing in gender based violence in Uganda, Nuwagaba developed a project that traces the historical and systemic roots of the issue. Initially planning to focus on corruption within the justice system, her research led her to a broader understanding of gender based violence as an evolving phenomenon with multiple causes. “The more I dived deeper into my topic, I came to realize there are horrors I have been fortunate enough to have not experienced,” she reflected. The project ultimately influenced her future academic direction, shifting her interest toward business as a way to address structural challenges like underfunding. Nuwagaba advises future capstone students to remain flexible and disciplined, noting that the independent nature of the course requires strong time management and adaptability.

Though their topics differ widely, these three seniors share a common experience: the capstone has pushed them to think critically, work independently, and engage deeply with subjects that matter to them. As the semester concludes, their projects stand as a testament to the rigor and intellectual ambition that define Vermont Academy’s Capstone Seminar. The Capstone presentations will take place on May 1, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nita Choukas Theatre in Horowitz Performing Arts Hall. All are welcome to attend.