St. Luke’s 2018 Scholars Symposium

St. Luke’s held one of its signature academic events: the annual Scholars Symposium. Twenty St. Luke’s seniors were selected to be scholars spending the year on an independent study culminating in a public presentation of their findings. Students represented three fields of scholarship: Classical (an enriched study of Latin and Greek), Global (analysis of a global issue and extensive language study), and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

“St. Luke’s Scholars are the School’s mission come to life,” said Head of School Mark Davis. In a post after the 2017 symposium he wrote: “These students develop a topic, execute a research plan, put forth a thesis, draft an extensive research paper and present their findings in public. They become experts and that’s learning that lasts.”

Faculty advisors work one-on-one with scholars throughout the year and as they prepare for their final presentations. Director of Studies Jim Yavenditti said, "Our St. Luke’s Scholars take stratospheric-level research and make it discernible to the audience members which is no easy task."

On April 19, Yavenditti welcomed parents to the Scholars Symposium and kicked off the evening of presentations. Student Scholars and their topics included:

Ajit Akole, STEM Scholar
Mining Novel RNA Sequences: An Effort to Further Map the Human Transcriptome*

Kristen Beaumonte, Global Scholar
Keeping Calm and Fighting Back: How Britain is Modeling Successful Recovery from Terror

Dominic DeMarco, STEM Scholar
Traffic Flow and Intersections: Using Microscopic Computer Simulation to Analyze Road Connections

Sophia Feldman, STEM Scholar
Exploring the Link Between Learned Emotional Intelligence and Academic Success

Hannah Haden, Global Scholar
A Balancing Act: An Exploration of Pharmaceutical Drug Testing in Developing Nations

Jack Halsey, STEM Scholar
Macroscopic Modeling of Bohmian Mechanics Using a Vibrating Oil Bath

Hope Jackson, Global Scholar
Brexit at Work: The Effects of Departing the European Union on Scottish Jobs

Chloe Kekedjian, STEM Scholar
Assessing The Biodegradation of High Density Polyethylene by the Greater Wax Worm

Andrew Kurth, STEM Scholar
Carbon Nanomaterials for the Future: Optimizing Synthesis Efficiency

Elizabeth Laub, Global Scholar
Call 911: The State of Emergency Medical Services in Low Income Countries

Dennis Polyakov, STEM Scholar
Zippy Chow: Using Traveling Salesman Technology to Optimize Food Delivery

Sarah Powless, Global Scholar
Secret Weapons: The Role of Women in the Islamic State

Alexandra Schwartz, Classical Scholar
The Art of Translation: Exploring Translation Theory in Catullus’ Carmen 36

Thaise Sudano, Global Scholar
How a Harmful Tradition Persists in the Twenty-First Century: The Implications of Female Genital Mutilation on Women with a Focus on Senegal

Jack Thies, Global Scholar
The Broken Wheel of Recidivism: A Comparative Analysis of India and the United States

Alexandra Truwit, STEM Scholar
Exploring the Link Between Learned Emotional Intelligence and Academic Success

Cooper Truwit, Classical Scholar
Augustus’ Ascent and Acclimation to Power

Claire Wilson, Global Scholar
Eye On The Ball: How Sports Affect Nation Branding in Brazil, New Zealand, and Canada

Amelia Wyckoff, Classical Scholar
Villain or Victim: Sexuality, Gender, and Female Agencyin Medea*

The St. Luke's Scholar Advisors are Jason Warner and Alec LeBris (STEM); Beth Yavenditti and Jason Haynes (Global); Leo Mahler, Matt Bavone, and Jim Yavenditti (Classical).

*Ajit and Amelia will deliver their presentations on May 8.

Photo:
Back Row—L to R: Sophia Feldman (Westport), Claire Wilson (New Canaan), Thaise Sudano (Wilton), Alexandra Truwit (Darien), Hope Jackson (Pound Ridge), Hannah Haden (Ridgefield), Elizabeth Laub (New Canaan), Kristen Beaumonte (Westport), Sarah Powless (Darien), Chloe Kekedjian (New Canaan), Alexandra Schwartz (Stamford)
Front Row—L to R: Jack Theis (North Salem), Andrew Kurth (New Canaan), Dennis Polyakov (Norwalk), Chase Zammit (Norwalk), Jack Halsey (Ridgefield), Cooper Truwit (Darien), Dominic DeMarco (New Canaan)
[not pictured: Ajit Akole (Norwalk) and Amelia Wyckoff(New Canaan)]

Photo by: Desiree Smock

St. Luke's is a secular private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5-12. St. Luke's mission is an exceptional education that inspires a deep love of learning, a strong moral compass, the commitment to serve, and the confidence to lead. St. Luke's Center for Leadership advances our mission by helping students develop exceptional leadership ability. A kind, inclusive community awaits you at St. Luke's.