Team Detail
Capstone Presentations
On May 1 and 2, members of the Class of 2025 took the stage to present the results of nearly a year of independent research, marking the culmination of the school’s distinguished Capstone Seminar. The presentations represented a broad spectrum of inquiry and highlighted the depth, curiosity, and discipline that define the capstone experience.
“The capstone project is the concluding academic and intellectual experience for our seniors,” said Jenna Kotch, capstone coordinator and Center for Learning faculty. “Inquiry in its many phases is the foundation of becoming a better human being as well as a skilled researcher. The capstone student is a product of both.”
Structured as a yearlong independent seminar, the Capstone Seminar begins in the summer before senior year and is structured as a more demanding research paper more than a traditional thesis. Students are guided by both on-campus and off-campus mentors, as they develop and refine a topic of personal and academic interest.
This year’s cohort tackled a diverse array of timely and thought-provoking topics:
Raymond Feng provided a critical look at emerging technology in “The Impact of AI: An Evaluation of Its Impacts on the Labor Market.”
Sydney Shaw focused on educational development in “Prioritizing Camp to Build Stronger Students.”
Iris Adamoli-Puchalik addressed sustainable agriculture with “Organic Vermont Farms: Climate Adaptation and Mitigation.”
Maya Sbardellati explored cutting-edge biotechnology in “The Importance of Xenobots: How They Were Made and What They Will Achieve.”
Aly Lantz delved into astrophysics in “Why Is Our Understanding of Dark Matter Important?”
Ana Hernandez-Merkle examined education in “The Importance of Behavioral Interventions.”
Antisha Ssuna presented global health research in “Comparative Analysis of COVID-19 in Developed Western and Developing African Countries.”
Capstone presentations were open to the school community, and many faculty, family members, and fellow students attended to support the presenters and engage with their findings. The atmosphere was one of celebration, intellectual exchange, and pride.
You can watch a recording of the presentations from May 1 here. The presenters were Raymond Feng, Sydney Shaw, Iris Adamoli-Puchalik, and Maya Sbardellati.
You can watch a recording of the presentations from May 2 here. The presenters were Aly Lantz, Ana Hernandez-Merkle, and Antisha Ssuna.
Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
