This issue features SCEs from across majors— from music and environmental science to English and anthropology– and each work explores themes, topics, and texts in ways that challenge disciplinary boundaries and spark creative, critical thinking in the spirit of the liberal arts tradition. We encourage you to learn something unexpected while reading these stand-out SCEs….
Author: Washington College Review
Foreman’s Patch: Learning from Macroinvertebrates
A Senior Capstone Experience by Kami Lentzsch ’25 Submitted to the Department of Anthropology Advised by Dr. Scott Erich Contributor Biography: Kami graduated from Washington College summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Anthropology with a minor in Chesapeake Regional Studies. As a senior, she was awarded department honors in Anthropology, Lambda Alpha Senior…
Monks, Monsters, and the Theories of Humor: Analyzing the Margins of the W.102 Book of Hours
A Senior Capstone Experience by Shannon Smith ’25 Submitted to Department of Art & Art History Advised by Dr. Aileen Tsui and Dr. Benjamin Tilghman Contributor Biography: Shannon Smith graduated from Washington College in Fall 2024 with a degree in Art History. She currently works at Winterthur Museum, Gardens & Library in DE, where she…
Dupixent in Asthma Care: Early Pediatric Intervention and the Ethics of Drug Pricing
A Senior Capstone Experience by Vani Chauhan ’25 Submitted to the Departments of Biology and Business Management Advised by Dr. Jennifer Wanat and Dr. Caddie Putnam Rankin Contributor Biography: Vani graduated summa cum laude from Washington College as a Biology and Business Management double major with a minor in Chemistry on the pre-med track. During her time at WC she conducted research as part of the Toll Fellows research program and was a portfolio manager…
An Interrogation of “a truth universally acknowledged”: Repositioning Romance in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice
A Senior Capstone Experience by Lucy Verlaque ’25 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Katie Charles Contributor Biography: Lucy Verlaque graduated summa cum laude from Washington College in May 2025. She was the recipient of the Maureen Jacoby Prize and a finalist for the Sophie Kerr Prize. As a WC student, Lucy spent most of her time involved with…
Revolutionary Marketing: How the Hunger Games Franchise Promotes and Dismantles Political Agency and Authenticity
A Senior Capstone Experience by Heather Fabritze ’25 Submitted to Departments of English and Communications & Media Studies Advised by Dr. Courtney Ryder and Dr. Stephanie Brown Contributor Biography: Heather graduated from Washington College with a B.A. in English and Communication & Media Studies. At graduation, she was awarded the Communication & Media Studies Capstone…
The effect of CuSO4 on visual development in larval Danio rerio
A Senior Capstone Experience by Evan Merk ’25 Submitted to the Departments of Environmental Science and Studies and of Biology Advised by Dr. Martin Connaughton and Dr. Leslie Sherman Contributor Biography: Evan Merk (he/him) is a recently-graduated biology and environmental science major. On campus, he was a biology lab teaching assistant, Writing Center peer tutor, and an…
“A New Declaration of Independence”: Refiguring the Family in Louisa May Alcott’s Work
A Senior Capstone Experience by Grace Hogsten ’25 Submitted to the Department of English Advised by Dr. Katie Charles Contributor Biography: During her time at Washington College, Grace Hogsten worked at Washington College Review, The Elm, Collegian, the Miller Library, and the writing center. After graduation, she began working in elementary education and plans to pursue a career in…
“I want to be great, or nothing”: Amy March’s Subversion of Societal Expectations
A Senior Capstone Experience by Riley Dauber ’25 Submitted to Department of English Advised by Dr. Elizabeth Foley O’Connor Contributor Biography: After graduating in May, Riley interned with the American Scholar magazine, fact-checking articles for their Autumn issue. She also spent a few grueling weeks scooping ice cream before landing a reporting job at the…
Where I’m Coming From
A Senior Capstone Experience by David Londres ’25 Submitted to the Department of Music Advised by Professor Ken Schweitzer Contributor Biography: David Londres is an alumni at Washington College, with a degree in Music and a focus in Composition and Arrangement. He has been doing music for 10 years, and is able to play 5 instruments plus production. David loves to use samples in…
Examining How the Visitor Effect at the Salisbury Zoo on Busy vs. Non-Busy Days Impacts the Behavior and Welfare of Zoo Visitors, Spider Monkeys, and Prairie Dogs
A Senior Capstone Experience by Jevon Smalls ’25 Submitted to Department of Psychology Advised by Dr. Kevin McKillop Contributor Biography: Jevon is currently studying at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland to pursue a Master’s of Science in Environmental Biology with a GIS Certificate. He hopes to continue to conduct research involving animal behavior and wildlife…
Editor’s Note
As I put the final touches on my last issue of Washington College Review with just a few weeks until graduation, I find myself reflecting on the past just as much as I’m looking to the future. My years with WCR taught me so much and gave me an opportunity not only to grow as…
“A Consuming Fire”: Imagery as Agency in Jahan Khatun and Hildegard von Bingen’s Writings
By Lucy Verlaque ’25 Major: English; Minors: Creative Writing, Journalism, Editing, and Publishing and Gender Studies Contributor Biography: In her time at Washington College, Lucy has loved being involved with student-run publications; over the years, she has served as associate and managing editor of Washington College Review, a staff writer and copy editor for The Elm,…
Chingaderas and Exhaustion on the Migrant Trail: Visual Analysis of “This cabron is taking pictures of me sleeping! Maybe he’s in love with me?”
By Melchior Tuerk ’26 Major(s): Anthropology and Environmental Studies Minor(s): Museum, Field, and Community Education and Chesapeake Regional Studies Contributor Biography: Mel is a junior interested in the confluence of human culture and the natural environments in which they are cultivated. Currently they are an intern with the Hostile Terrain 94 exhibition in the library,…
Featured Artist: Sheri Swayne ’26
Major: English; Minor: Creative Writing Contributor Biography: Sheri is a junior majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. She enjoys all creative endeavors, but especially essay writing and poetry. The following was created for ENG 320-10: Eighteenth Century Literature: Marvelous Forms The Rape of the Lock Brief Description: My illustration includes key symbols…
“She should’ve stayed in the kitchen where she belongs”: Feminine Spaces in Susan Glaspell’s “A Jury Of Her Peers”
By Riley Dauber ’25 Major: English; Minors: Journalism, Editing and Publishing, Communication and Media Studies, and Gender Studies Contributor Biography: Riley Dauber is a senior majoring in English with minors in Journalism, Editing, and Publishing; Communication and Media Studies; and Gender Studies. She believes “women’s stories matter” and loves writing about the male gaze and…
Queerness, Sweetness, and Male Friendship in Early Modern English Drama
By Jaya Basu ’26 Majors: English & Theatre; Minors: Creative writing Contributor Biography: Jaya S. Basu is an English and Theater double major with a creative writing minor. They enjoy writing poetry, prose, and academically, and have a particular interest in Shakespeare and Renaissance drama. They want to study Shakespeare and theater at a higher level after…
Catalina de Erauso: Both a Feminine and Masculine Ideal
By Quinn Hammon ’26 Major: English; Minors: Creative Writing and Art & Art History Contributor Biography: Quinn Hammon is excited to be published in the Washington College Review for the first time! He’s a junior and an English major, with minors in Creative Writing and Art and Art History. You can find him working in…
Featured Artist: Katelyn Reggie ’25
Majors: Psychology and Studio Art Contributor Biography: Katelyn Reggie is a senior double majoring in psychology and studio art from Allentown, PA. She enjoys taking art classes that push her to work in mediums she typically would not work with. Outside of classes she loves going on walks and spending time with friends. The following…
Colonial History, Contemporary Artists, and the Museum
By Elizabeth Fitzpatrick ’26 Major: Art History; Minors: French Studies and Museum, Field, & Community Education Contributor Biography: Elizabeth Fitzpatrick is an art history major from Catonsville, MD. 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,…
Lancelot and Gawain: The Importance of Their Bond
By Courtney Poetsch ’25 Major: English; Minors: Education Studies and Theatre Contributor Biography: Courtney Poetsch is a senior English major with Education Studies and Theatre minors. She plans to teach English in either a middle school or high school after graduation. Courtney has taken a variety of English classes, and she tends to write about…
Featured Artist: Lucy Verlaque ’25
Major: English; Minors: Creative Writing, Journalism, Editing, & Publishing, and Gender Studies Contributor Biography: Lucy Verlaque is a senior English major with minors in creative writing, journalism, editing, & publishing, and gender studies. In her time at Washington College, Lucy has loved being involved with student-run publications; over the years, she has served as associate…
Poetry Has Never Been a Luxury: The Vital Necessity of Poetry for Romantic Friendships Between Women in the 17th Century
By Charlotte Becker ’26 Contributor Biography: Charlotte Becker is an international student from Germany who is studying at Washington College for the academic year of 2025/26. Outside of the classroom, she is a staff writer for The Elm, the German TA, and a dancer for Dancescape Brief Description: This essay explores the necessity of poetry…
Marriage Has Never Been This Spooky: Marital Expectations, Gender Roles, and Regional Dialect in Sophie Kerr’s “His Mark”
By Riley Dauber ’25 Major: English; Minors: Journalism, Editing, & Publishing, Communications & Media Studies, and Gender Studies Contributor Biography: Riley Dauber is a senior majoring in English with minors in Journalism, Editing, and Publishing; Communication and Media Studies; and Gender Studies. She believes “women’s stories matter” and loves writing about the male gaze and…
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