KP High School Announces Class of 2021 Graduation Distinction Recipients
Several King Philip Regional High School students will be graduating with distinction as members of the Class of 2021.
In order to achieve distinction status, students must propose a project and work with an advisor to complete the action steps that were approved by a KPRHS faculty panel.
“The following students have gone the extra mile and delved deeply into a project that coincided with their curriculum,” KP Superintendent Paul Zinni said. “I’m pleased to share that all of these projects have expanded the students’ knowledge in their chosen topic and met the stringent requirements to receive the distinction affixed to their diploma.”
Students who will be graduating with distinction include the following:
Anthony Zappola: Distinction in STEM – Mathematical Analysis and Prediction Models of COVID-19 Spread in the King Philip Communities.
In the spring and early summer of 2020, Zappola collected data regarding the amount of COVID-19 cases in the tri-town area as well as the data available at that time regarding the use of mitigation measures. Zappola then used mathematical approaches to predict the outcome of various return-to-school scenarios.
Cole Breen: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Confirmation Bias: Why Do We Believe What We Believe?
Breen developed an infographic that can be used to help determine the degree of bias in news stories. He then created a YouTube video to explain how to use the infographic.
Megan Campbell: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Little Duckie Big Worries: A Book About Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Campbell wrote and published a children’s book focusing on Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She worked with a psychologist to confirm content accuracy and also illustrated the book. The book is available on Amazon.
Madeline Crowley: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Princesses of Today: A Photographic Study.
Crowley created a photographic study of teenage girls dressed as traditional princesses while doing both traditional and non-traditional activities such as auto repair or playing sports. This was shared via Instagram live.
Will Kinney: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Tanzania’s Water Crisis and My Story: A Long Way From Home.
Kinney archived his mission trip to Tanzania by writing his story and illustrating it with photos from his experience. He shared his book describing the lessons he learned as well as a call for further action through a CrowdSource presentation sponsored by An Unlikely Story.
Olivia Pacheco: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Civics in the Classroom and the Connection to Youth Voting.
Pacheco created a workshop style lesson that can be used to help youth learn about civics and provide them with the confidence and understanding of the importance of the right and responsibility to vote. The lesson can be viewed on YouTube.
Each of the students’ diplomas will indicate their graduation with distinction status, and they will be recognized during any senior awards ceremony or graduation exercise held by the district.
Ann Lambert served as the advisor for Distinction in STEM prior to Erin Nerelino becoming the Distinction in STEM advisor, and Abby Lambert served as the Distinction in Liberal Arts advisor.
“I would like to recognize and thank Ann, Abby and Erin for advising these students throughout this process,” KPHS Principal Lisa Mobley said. “Without their help and guidance, these projects wouldn’t have been possible and as such they deserve as much recognition as our students.”
In order to achieve distinction status, students must propose a project and work with an advisor to complete the action steps that were approved by a KPRHS faculty panel.
“The following students have gone the extra mile and delved deeply into a project that coincided with their curriculum,” KP Superintendent Paul Zinni said. “I’m pleased to share that all of these projects have expanded the students’ knowledge in their chosen topic and met the stringent requirements to receive the distinction affixed to their diploma.”
Students who will be graduating with distinction include the following:
Anthony Zappola: Distinction in STEM – Mathematical Analysis and Prediction Models of COVID-19 Spread in the King Philip Communities.
In the spring and early summer of 2020, Zappola collected data regarding the amount of COVID-19 cases in the tri-town area as well as the data available at that time regarding the use of mitigation measures. Zappola then used mathematical approaches to predict the outcome of various return-to-school scenarios.
Cole Breen: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Confirmation Bias: Why Do We Believe What We Believe?
Breen developed an infographic that can be used to help determine the degree of bias in news stories. He then created a YouTube video to explain how to use the infographic.
Megan Campbell: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Little Duckie Big Worries: A Book About Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Campbell wrote and published a children’s book focusing on Generalized Anxiety Disorder. She worked with a psychologist to confirm content accuracy and also illustrated the book. The book is available on Amazon.
Madeline Crowley: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Princesses of Today: A Photographic Study.
Crowley created a photographic study of teenage girls dressed as traditional princesses while doing both traditional and non-traditional activities such as auto repair or playing sports. This was shared via Instagram live.
Will Kinney: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Tanzania’s Water Crisis and My Story: A Long Way From Home.
Kinney archived his mission trip to Tanzania by writing his story and illustrating it with photos from his experience. He shared his book describing the lessons he learned as well as a call for further action through a CrowdSource presentation sponsored by An Unlikely Story.
Olivia Pacheco: Distinction in Liberal Arts – Civics in the Classroom and the Connection to Youth Voting.
Pacheco created a workshop style lesson that can be used to help youth learn about civics and provide them with the confidence and understanding of the importance of the right and responsibility to vote. The lesson can be viewed on YouTube.
Each of the students’ diplomas will indicate their graduation with distinction status, and they will be recognized during any senior awards ceremony or graduation exercise held by the district.
Ann Lambert served as the advisor for Distinction in STEM prior to Erin Nerelino becoming the Distinction in STEM advisor, and Abby Lambert served as the Distinction in Liberal Arts advisor.
“I would like to recognize and thank Ann, Abby and Erin for advising these students throughout this process,” KPHS Principal Lisa Mobley said. “Without their help and guidance, these projects wouldn’t have been possible and as such they deserve as much recognition as our students.”
