By Ellise Shafer, ’17
Nick Amore: Tracking Transportation
Senior Nick Amore’s capstone project stemmed from an unusual childhood experience.
“In kindergarten, I got left on a school bus,” Amore said. “My parents called the principal and he said ‘Oh no, [Nick is] fine, he’ll be off soon, he probably got off at a friend’s house,” but sure enough I was sleeping or passed out [in the bus at the bus barn] and it was almost 90 or 100 degrees in the bus so [the outcome] could have been really bad.”
Since this situation spurred from his parents’ uncertainty about his whereabouts, Amore hopes to create an app that tracks school buses, allowing parents to know their child’s exact location.
“I don’t want anything like [what happened to me] to happen again,” Amore said. “The capstone project is a great method and initiative for me to pursue that.”
Amore is also planning to eventually propose the idea to the school board in an attempt to offer his app to a larger audience.
Madison Clark: Borderless Baking
Senior Madison Clark turned her passion for baking desserts into her capstone project.
“I’m exploring the different flavors, ingredients, and methods for making desserts all across the world,” Clark said. “I hope my project will inspire people to try new foods, and get them thinking about different cultures.”
Clark created an online bakery, called MadTreats, as well as a promotional Instagram account. The money made from her bakery helped Clark to fund her 25 mile bike ride in last summer’s Pelotonia. Clark has experienced immense success with her bakery, and continues to do so.
“I was asked to bake for three graduation parties last year, a wedding for 200 guests, and several families and friends. It was amazing how much support I received,” Clark said. “However, I equally love learning about other cultures and the food they eat. Traveling is my favorite thing to do, and learning more about these different cultures gets me excited to hopefully go and visit these other countries one day.”
Joe Levitt: Returning to the Roots
Senior Joe Levitt generated his capstone idea from his love of lacrosse. Having played the sport for seven years, Levitt wanted to find an outlet in which he could give back to the game. He discovered a way to do so through attempting to revive lacrosse where it originated: with the Native American community.
“Right now, lacrosse is growing around the world, even in Africa and South America,” Levitt said. “But, many [Native American] tribes [have] lost the game because of assimilation and expansion.”
Therefore, Levitt’s goal is to re-introduce lacrosse to children on Native American reservations. He hopes to accomplish this through donations and equipment drives held at UAHS.
“My goal is to bring the opportunity to [the kids] by providing sticks and equipment so that they can play,” Levitt said. “I hope to make this an annual thing where I can donate equipment or money to provide goals, balls, and sticks.”
In addition, Levitt hopes to visit the Red Lake Nation reservation in Minnesota this summer to see his efforts in action.
“It would be so cool to actually get to see the kids playing with their sticks,” Levitt said. “Lacrosse really brings people together.”
Mia Smith: Artistic Aspirations
Senior Mia Smith used her artistic abilities for her capstone, drawing inspiration from early 20th century painter Egon Schiele, who is best known for his figurative works.
“I wanted to see what I could express using the human body, using colors, and just using art as a means of personal expression,” Smith said.
In her own art, Smith focused on themes of sexuality and addiction, hoping to evoke a reaction out of those who view it.
“I definitely want to leave an impact; I’m not so much worried if people like it,” Smith said. “I want them to think about it and I want to make them uncomfortable.”
Her final 16 pieces were shown at Tremont Library on March 30, and she will also have a gallery hanging at the Grandview Ave. Stauf’s on May 1.
Overall, Smith has enjoyed the experience of getting to incorporate her passion for art into her schoolwork.
“Being able to work on things that I want to work on and getting to make that my school experience has been really, really nice,” Smith said. “It’s been very relaxing and rewarding.”