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.
Twenty-eight students (a record number), across all disciplines, participated in this year’s Distinguished Graduate Program and presented their work in Sekera Auditorium on Thursday, May 23, 2024
Congratulations to all.

The varied showcase Thursday night included the following students and their work:

Alexander True, STEM
Autonomous Mushroom Fruiting Chamber

Spring LaRose (not pictured), Humanities
Genres: A Literary Exploration

Skylar Willey, STEM
PFAS Effect on the Growth and Development of Radish and Lettuce Crops

Abbey Willard, STEM
Seaweed as a Solution for Acidification in the Ocean

Nicholas Vetelino, STEM
Assessing the Efficacy of Various Organic Fertilizers in Soil

Aaron Sproul, STEM
Developing Bioinformatics Application to Sequence Genomic Data Using Python

Kobe Smith, STEM
How to Cook the Perfect Turkey

Jayden Schoppee, Interdisciplinary Studies: Exercise Science & Wellness
Did Title IX Really Help? The Differences between Men and Women in the NCAA

Oona Sacaridiz, STEM
The Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Aquatic Ecosystems and Reproductive Rates

Aubrey Hanscom, Fine Arts
Disney Medley

Gabby Rentosa, STEM
Molecular Gene Biology and Mutations

Gwen Rand, STEM
Assessing the Utility of Bacteriophage Treatment in an Increasingly Prevalent Multi-Drug Resistant Environment

Tristan Prokop, STEM
Genetic Profiling of Melanoma in Rural Maine

Soren Peterson, STEM
A Study of the Relationship Between Sound and Memory

Ainsley Overlock, STEM
Sunscreen Alternatives: Do They Exist?

Avery Messer, Interdisciplinary Studies: STEM & Fine Arts
Saving the World Through Seaweed and Fashion

Syndey Lagasse, STEM
Association Between the ACTN3 Gene and Athletic Performance in Horses

Summer LaRose, Interdisciplinary Studies: Humanities & Fine Arts
Art Maine-ia: Examining Art in the Pine Tree State Straight from the Source

Jonah Bean, Fine Arts
A Year in the Life at John Bapst

Aidan Fenwick, STEM
Research on USPA/PCR on E. Coli

Ruby Dwyer, (not pictured), STEM
How Does Climate Change and Acidification Affect Zooplankton?

Madelyn Copithorne, STEM
Healthiest Water for Consumption

Ariana Cross, STEM
The Effects of Human Activity on Maine’s Aquatic and Terrestrial Animal Species and Water Quality

Camdyn Chung, (not pictured), Global Studies
Comparative Analysis of Environmentally Conscious Practices, Policies, and Advancements between South Korea and Maine

Ella Brochu, STEM
How do High Schoolers’ Perceptions of Climate Change Vary Regionally in Maine?

Bianca Blackwood, STEM
Barnacles’ Effect on the Environment; Predicted Flood Days

Albert Bai, STEM
Nanovesicles in Broccoli Sprouts as a Natural Potential Medicine for the Targeted Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Ingrid Schaefer, Fine Arts
Downeast Lakes Land Trust Art Exhibit

What is the Distinguished Graduate Program?

Are you a John Bapst student with a particular academic passion?
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.