SJA Seniors Present Research at Annual Honors Thesis Showcase

Seven Honors Senior Thesis students at Saint Joseph Academy (SJA) presented their research projects to the school community from May 12 through May 15, showcasing months of independent academic work across a range of disciplines. 

The presentations included topics in theology, technology, and social issues. Gabriel Larrabure and Giovanni Bullara both focused on questions related to Catholic liturgy and faith practice. Larrabure examined Catholic teaching on the proper disposition for receiving the Eucharist, while Bullara presented an argument for Church renewal through a return to what he described as a more traditionally masculine liturgy. 

Several students explored concerns surrounding modern technology. Isaac Hernandez addressed the risks of smartphone addiction, while Rachelle Hill examined the potential harms associated with artificial intelligence. Adley Fontaine, whose thesis centered on the loneliness epidemic in the United States, also identified social media as a contributing factor. 

Other presentations approached broader cultural and scientific themes. Paolo Puccio argued for the importance of cultural unity in addressing social fragmentation. Closing the series, Dat Nguyen presented research exploring a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease involving compounds derived from snake venom. 

Faculty panelists praised both the depth of research and the quality of student presentations. Mr. Kramp, who taught Senior Thesis for the first time this year, noted the program’s impact and expressed interest in expanding it in future years. 

“I see nothing but good things coming from this kind of intellectual undertaking,” Kramp said. “Young people are capable of so much more than people think, and our presenters will look back on this, rightly, as a real accomplishment.”

He added that he hopes more students will devote time to thesis development in the years ahead, calling the presentations “the first of many more to come.”