Congratulations to this year’s Distinguished Graduates
John Bapst has a robust Distinguished Graduates Program, where students pursue their passions in particular topics. They study extensively in school and extend their learning and experiences in those areas outside of class with special projects, while always mentored and supported by their faculty advisors.
Do you have a passion? Pursue it in the John Bapst Distinguished Graduate Program.
Seventeen John Bapst students participated in this year’s Distinguished Graduate Program and presented their work in Sekera Auditorium on Wednesday, May 24. Congratulations to all!
Emily Adams, STEM
Nutritional Deficiencies in High School Students
Meghan Clair, Fine Arts
“The Brain Game”
Paige Dempsey, Interdisciplinary Studies
How Science Fiction Has Adapted As Science Has Adapted
Noah Gendreau, Global Studies
How Multiple Languages and Geographic Location Shape Local, State, and National Dialects
Myles Harrison, Humanities
All Aboard for a Sustainable Future: The Role of Intercity Passenger Rail Service in Maine
Sofia Herrington, Humanities and STEM
Cultural Expectations of Women in Bali
The Altering of the Ocean’s Acidity with Two Species of Marine Algae: Reversal for Climate Change
Samantha Ismail, STEM
The Transfer of Microplastics From Algae Fertilizer into Crops
Sophie Kahn, STEM
Predicting Pandamic-Related Bankruptcy in Hospitals
Mia Khavari, STEM
Diet Preference of the Gull Species and it’s Physical Effects on the Gull Species in the Gulf of Maine
Natile Logan, STEM
T cell-derived IL-3 enhances anti-tumor immunity
Elijah McKnight, Fine Arts
The Brain Game
Jacqui Parker, Humanities
The Brain Game
Teeonna Ryder, Fine Arts
The Brain Game
Katelyn Seile, STEM
Microrganism Concentrations in the Sheepscot River Estuary
Martin Skacel, STEM
Extended Mutational Profiles Predict Clinical Outcome of Colorectal Carcinoma in Patients from Rural Maine
Tracy Vo, STEM
The STEM Gap: What is the Cause of the Disparity Between Males and Females in the STEM Fields?
Zach White, STEM
Investigating Hubble’s Tuning Fork: Teaching the Deep Sky
Elijah McKnight, Meghan Clair, Jacqui Parker, and Teeonna Ryder perform a piece from their original production, “The Brain Game.” (Video by Jonah Bean ’24)
What is the Distinguished Graduate Program?
John Bapst Distinguished Graduates are those students who have a passion for a particular area which they studied extensively in school and have extended their learning and experience in that area outside of class with a special project. Distinguished Graduates Program projects are approved in advance and done under the guidance of a qualified mentor from the faculty or outside the school.
There are several areas in which students can become Distinguished Graduates: Fine Arts, Global Studies, Humanities, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), and Interdisciplinary Studies. In each area, students will study in multiple, but related, disciplines. They may design their own course of study, depending on their interest area, and ultimately will design and implement the individualized special project to which they dedicate a significant amount of time.
Students who are Distinguished Graduates will have it noted on their transcript and will also receive recognition in the spring of their senior year.
The minimum course requirements for each Distinguished Graduates Program are listed below. Students may be considered Distinguished Graduates in multiple programs.
- Fine Arts – 4 years of Fine Arts courses (or equivalent with department approval), including 2 different artistic areas, and a special project.
- Global Studies – 4 credits of Social Science and 4 credits of Modern & Classical Languages, 1 additional credit in either department, and a special project.
- Humanities – 4 credits of Social Science and 4 credits of English (including AP Literature and AP Language), 1 additional credit in either department, and a special project.
- STEM – 9 credits combined from the areas of Math, Science, and Technology, including at least 4 at the AP or advanced level, and a special project.
- Interdisciplinary Studies – Working with the Academic Dean, students who have interests that do not fall into one of the above categories may custom build a Distinguished Program for themselves.
Students who wish to be considered for the Distinguished Graduates Program must first apply through the department chair. Copies of approved plans are given to the Academic Dean and Counselor. Students can apply at anytime up to spring of their junior year. The student, department chair, and mentor design the course of study and special project which is submitted for approval by the department and the Academic Dean.
To find out more about this program, please contact Academic Dean Jason O’Reilly at joreilly@johnbapst.org.