It is with great pride and pleasure that we publish 16 Senior Capstone Experiences from the Class of 2026 in disciplines such as: psychology, English, theatre, economics, and art. It is an honor to highlight the hard work of our peers and cheer you on as you pursue your chosen paths. Jessica, Siobhan, and Piper
The Sustainability of Perceived Benefit: An Advertising and Public Relations Analysis of Nuclear Energy Production in Japan
A Senior Capstone Experience by Faye Dorman ’26 Submitted to the Department of Economics and Communications & Media Studies Advised by Dr. Meghan Grosse & Dr. Rocio Suárez Contributor Biography: Faye Dorman graduated with honors from Washington College with a B.A. in Communications and Media Studies and Economics, and was awarded the Communications and Media…
Cloud Tectonics: A Directing Theatre Thesis
A Senior Capstone Experience by Sergio Cilla ’26 Submitted to the Department of Theatre & Dance Advised by Prof. Dale Daigle Contributor Biography: Sergio Cilla is an Argentine educator, writer, and theatre artist. Born in Buenos Aires, he has devoted his professional life to language teaching and adult education in Argentina and the United States….
Behavioral Correlates of Coloration in Tropical Anurans
A Senior Capstone Experience by Justin Looper ’26 Submitted to the Department of Biology Advised by Dr. Rinehimer Contributor Biography: Justin holds a B.A. in Biology (Organismal Physiology Concentration) with minors in Chemistry, Chesapeake Bay Regional Studies. During his time at Washington College, he immersed myself in a variety of research and experiential learning opportunities…
±DOI Attenuates Spontaneous Recovery in a SEFL Extinction Paradigm
A Senior Capstone Experience by Sara Sypolt ’26 Submitted to the Department of Psychology Advised by Dr. Daniel Kochli Contributor Biography: Sara graduated Washington College with a B.A. in Psychology magna cum laude and with successful completion of pharmacy school pre-requisites. As a senior, he was recognized with the Psychology Department Capstone Experience Award, the…
“More Life”: The Jacob Cycle and the Book of Mormon as transformation in Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes
A Senior Capstone Experience by Evelyn Lucado ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Rydel Contributor Biography: Evelyn Lucado graduated from WC in 2026. During her time at Washington, she served as Editor in Chief of The Elm and social media manager for Writers’ Union, worked as a poetry screener for Cherry…
Black Trauma is Not White Property: Examining Black Girl Trauma in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye Against the Eurocentrism of Modern Trauma Theory
A Senior Capstone Experience by Sheri Swayne ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Sean Meehan Contributor Biography: Sheri Swayne is an alum of Washington College and writes creative non-fiction, critical essays, and enthusiastic movie reviews on Letterboxd. She is a 2026 Sophie Kerr finalist and centers topics of race and mixed-race…
The Majority Descent to Minority: Redefining American Democracy and Freedom in Ellison’s Invisible Man
A Senior Capstone Experience by Andraya Sudler ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Elizabeth Foley O’Connor Contributor Biography: Andraya Sudler graduated magna cum laude from Washington College in May 2026. During her time at the college, Sudler spent most of her days capturing student life on campus as a Marketing &…
Tragic Texts as Tools for Hope: Processing Trauma and Building Connections Post-Tragedy through Literature
A Senior Capstone Experience by Melinda Kern ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Rydel Contributor Biography: Melinda Kern is a recent graduate who majored in English and Psychologyfrom Laurel, MD. She enjoys writing, hiking, and doing ceramics in her free time. Short Description: “Tragic Texts as Tools for Hope” explores how…
Divine Ances-Tree: Theological Connections in a Medieval Book of Hours
A Senior Capstone Experience by Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’26 Submitted to the Department of Art & Art History Advised by Dr. Ben Tilghman Contributor Biography: Since graduating from Washington College, Elizabeth is pursuing a master’s degree in art history at American University. In the future she hopes to work in a museum to share her love…
“Fair Freedom rose New-England to adorn,”: Phillis Wheatley Peters’ Sanctioned Subversive Poetics of Revolution
A Senior Capstone Experience by Emmie Meeks ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Charles Contributor Biography: Emmie Meeks graduated from Washington College with a B.A. in English and minor in Education Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Responsive Literacy Education, English Education from the University of Colorado –…
The Transness of Bastardy and the Transformative Power of Love: Recognition of Edmund in King Lear
A Senior Capstone Experience by Jaya Basu ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Rydel Contributor Biography: Jaya S. Basu is a multi-disciplinary writer and theater artist based in Washington D. C. Their play MAHAMOHA was the recipient of several awards at the American College Theatre Festival, and was featured as a…
“Angry people are not always wise,” unless… | Conditional and Homocentric Anger in Pride and Prejudice
A Senior Capstone Experience by Savannah Nies ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Katherine Charles Contributor Biography: Savannah Nies is a 2026 graduate of Washington College who studied English and creative writing. She is originally from Kent Island, Maryland and after graduation she began to pursue a career in museum curation….
Analyzing Public Displays of Affection Cross-Nationally
A Senior Capstone Experience by Celia Long ’26 Submitted to the Department of Sociology and Communications & Media Studies Advised by Dr. Meghan Grosse & Dr. Erin Anderson Contributor Biography: Celia graduated summa cum laude from Washington College with a B.A. inSociology and Communication & Media Studies and a minor in Justice, Law, and Society….
The Virgin Guadalupe and Her Political Journey
A Senior Capstone Experience by Roselyn Garcia ’26 Submitted to the Department of Art & Art History Advised by Ben Tilghman & Heather Harvey Contributor Biography: Roselyn Garcia-Mendoza is a Salvadoreña American from Silver Spring, Maryland. They have always felt passionate about the topics of art/history and Central American culture. Despite demonstrating their knowledge and…
I was here once
A Senior Capstone Experience by Stevie Lyles ’26 Submitted to the Department of Music Advised by Ken Schweitzer Contributor Biography: Stevie Lyles is a 2026 graduate with a degree in Music. She is also therecipient of the George Washington Medal and a Member of the Phi Beta Kappa HonorSociety. She is currently working as a…
“Whan they were clothed in Lyncolne grene”: Dressing a Gentrifying Robin Hood
A Senior Capstone Experience by Jove DiFiore Gleason ’26 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Courtney Rydel Contributor Biography: Jove DiFiore Gleason (he/they) is an aspiring medievalist and current jack of all creative trades. He’s currently rewatching Star Trek while applying for grad school and can’t bring himself to critique the costumes…
A Note from the Editors
Dear readers and contributors, Congratulations on another academic year finished! We are so excited to publish the amazing work that you have created. From video games to the Black American experience and artistic collages, we have been continually impressed by the breadth of knowledge here at Washington College. With Love, Jessica, Siobhan, & Piper
Internalized Misogyny: How Women Embrace the Male Perspective through a Feminist Lens*
By Jessica Kelso ’26 *Editor Contribution Contributor Biography: Jessica (she/her) is a senior English major with minors in JEP (journalism, editing, and publishing). She was Associate Editor during the 2024 academic year and the Managing Editor in the Fall 2025 semester. Jessica is highly involved in the theatre department, and she works in the Literary House, as…
“The hills had no names and rivers wound they knew not where”: The Breakdown of Empire, History, and Time in Mrs. Dalloway*
By Liam Siobhan Luckey ’27 *Editor Contribution Majors: English and History Contributor Biography: Liam Siobhan is a junior English and history double major. He is the Managing Editor of the Review and very excited to share his own work here for the second time. He also works as an information assistant at Miller Library and…
How Class Determines Sympathy: Differences Between The Song of Achilles and Homer*
By Piper Langenfeld ’29 *Editor Contribution Major: English; Minors: Creative Writing and Journalism, Editing, & Publishing Contributor Biography: Piper is a freshman English major with minors in creative writing and JEP. She is the associate editor for WCR and she is heavily involved in the dance club. When she’s not in the library studying, she…
Featured Artist: Isabel McCreary ’27
Major: Biology; Minor: Chesapeake Regional Studies Contributor Biography: Isabel McCreary is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Chesapeake Regional Studies. She loves to be outside, and spends most of her free time sewing, painting, collaging, and tending to her small orchid collection. Brief Description: This piece is my take on the Empress, the third…
“Margo, / I cannot bear to watch the nations cry:” Vision, Voice and Injustice in “The Fortunate Traveller”
By Logan Monteleone ’26 Contributor Biography: Logan is the News editor for The Elm and a peer writing tutor at the Writing Center. Brief Description: This analysis of the 1981 poem “The Fortunate Traveller” by St. Lucian writer Derek Walcott considers how vision and voice function as literary devices that enable the speaker to reckon with injustice through poetry. The following…
Featured Artist: Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’26
Contributor Biography: Elizabeth Fitzpatrick is an art history major from Catonsville, MD. After graduation she is pursuing a master’s degree in art history at American University. In the future, she hopes to work in a museum to share her love of art with others. In her free time, she enjoys reading, making art, and watching really bad movies. Brief…
