13 EPCHS Graduates From Class Of 2026, 1 Senior Earn AP Capstone Diplomas

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – Thirteen graduates from the Evergreen Park Community High School class of 2026 and one current senior have earned AP Capstone diplomas.

To earn the AP Capstone diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement Seminar and Advanced Placement Research exams, in addition to four additional AP exams of their choosing. AP Capstone is a diploma program from the College Board based on two year-long AP courses, AP Seminar and AP Research. Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing and presenting, according to the College Board.

The following EPCHS class of 2026 alums earned the AP Capstone diploma: Jade Alfano, Charlie Avros, Louise Brady, Maya Cisneros, Faith Etapa, Megan Klimowski, Grace Koziczkowski, Therese Lee, Zion McCadd, Malia O’Neal, Elliott Rayson, Samantha Sliter and Lauryn Sommerio. Current EPCHS senior Ryan Brennan has also already earned her AP Capstone diploma.

“We're incredibly proud of the passion and hard work our students have committed to earning an AP Capstone Diploma,” said Megan Schillo, director of curriculum at EPCHS. “AP Research continues to grow, and we currently have our largest cohort yet. We're excited to see our students continue to meet the rigorous standards of AP as they develop the skills and independence that will prepare them for college.”

In addition to the 14 who have earned their AP Capstone diplomas, six EPCHS students and recent alums have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, and several of them are continuing to work toward the AP Capstone diploma. These students are Ciana Farmer, Hailie Hernandez, Yaneli Martinez, Emily Mills, Saniya Peat and Gianna Prado.