When you think of the word Capstone, most people tend to picture the stone fixated on top of a wall. However, like all things at NDP, we do things a little differently- but definitely for the better.

Capstone is a class offered to NDP seniors who have taken the Bette Ellis O’Conor Humanities track for the past two years. During the junior Humanities courses, a combination of world religions and world literature, students vote on a topic for their senior Capstone class. The first semester of senior year is dedicated to learning more about the subject, with help from the Capstone moderator and teachers from every department. The second semester gives each student time to work on an independent project, presented during one evening in May.

For this year’s Capstone class, the theme was The Human Mind. Over first semester, multiple teachers presented their knowledge on the subject to the thirty-five Capstone subject. Some examples of faculty guest speakers to the program were Ms. Strausbaugh and Mrs. Walker. Then, during the second semester, the individual projects began. Each girl pushed themselves to their academic limits to create something unique and important.

Overall, the night was quite a success. The speech delivered by Nadia Creve-Coeur gave the students and audience laughter and happiness as they recalled all of the fond memories made during the Humanities program. Mr. Chris Lopez, a history teacher within the program, also reminisced on how the thirty-five girls have changed over the past three years. Projects ranged from a movie on music in the mind to “Humiliation in a Box.”

Mr. Thomas Peri, science teacher and Capstone enthusiast, later wrote that, “Capstone night is a “must-attend” night on my calendar because it always is full of surprises, creativity, and new perspectives.  I love the collegiate atmosphere that defines the evening and how the individual spark of each girl has caught fire.  Last night was such a night.  “The mind” was interpreted in so many creative, thought-provoking ways that I felt energized as a teacher and as a person.   My favorite quote from Friedrich Nietzsche is “One repays a teacher badly if one always remains nothing but a pupil.”  Last night the Capstone students were teachers to us all.”

Finally, it is important for readers to note that this year’s Capstone evening was particularly special for two reasons. Firstly, it was the final year that Mr. Robert Quinn would be moderating the program. Mr. Quinn will be working at NDP in an administrative position and will be handing down the title of Humanities Coordinator to Mr. Lopez. Secondly, but not at all least, this year, Bette Ellis O’Conor, the namesake and benefactor of the program, passed away earlier this year. This Capstone evening was especially about honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. O’Conor, whose two granddaughters are currently in the program.

As Jamie Berger said, “My grandmother, Bette Ellis O’Conor, started the Humanities program here at Notre Dame. She had always taught me to reach for the unexpected, even if that meant taking a risk. She was always a dreamer who never let her guard down or second-guessed anything. To go along with my theme, it is clear to see where my inspiration came from. My grandmother will forever be my role model, and I am blessed to have known her these past 18 years of my life. This one’s for you, Grandma.”