Capstone Thesis Program

“Christianity reveals the sacredness of the word—a truly divine gift to man. For this reason, our speech is endowed with tremendous power. . . . It can sow the seeds of a question, of the possibility of a different approach to life, of the desire to know more. We have no idea, in fact, how we constantly influence one another by our words. . . . To control speech is to recover its seriousness and its sacredness.” Alexander Schmemann

At The Geneva School, words are at the heart of what we do. As our students grow in wisdom and virtue, they learn that eloquent speech has power, whether for good or ill. In their final year of rhetoric studies, students focus on deliberative speech, which moves an audience toward responsible action in accordance with what is good and fitting. Seniors come to understand that to make a good argument requires them to consider an idea in a reasoned way, to take a clear and specific stand, and to go to great lengths to understand and refute opposing viewpoints. Their training culminates in the Capstone Thesis, a well-researched and carefully articulated argument about a contemporary issue that is presented according to classical arrangement and defended before faculty members, parents, and peers.

Each senior is assigned a mentor who helps the student narrow and clarify their argument, gives feedback on their writing, and provides encouragement. During the course of the year, students visit a research library, read, reflect, discuss, and interview an authority on their subject, all in an attempt to learn all they can about the history of their issue and to situate it within the greater conversation about what is good. Then, with their particular audience in mind, they explain what they have learned and propose a way forward, writing and rewriting the different sections of their thesis before presenting it to the public. It should be noted that the thesis represents the student’s own understanding and does not necessarily reflect the position of the school or the student’s mentor.

In order to succeed in this challenging task, seniors must commit to growing in a number of skills and habits: careful research, clear and organized writing, judicious time management, humble response to criticism, tenacious commitment to truth. These skills and habits will serve them well in college and in life, whether they use them to write a research paper, a business proposal, or an impassioned plea before a school board or city council. But we hope that beyond these practical benefits, the Capstone Thesis will help the students get in touch with—and maintain—a passion for making the world a better place, guided by a love for God and his creation.

2023 Capstone Thesis Award

Each year, one senior is awarded the Capstone Thesis Award. The 2023 recipient of this award crafted a thesis paper whose argument, despite its complexity, was cogent and which marched along in an organized, readable, and compelling manner. Her reading throughout the year was wide and deep, and in her thinking and writing she was, according to her thesis mentor, “unrelenting in her pursuit of clarity.” She delivered and defended her thesis with eloquence and poise and passion, but also a winsome humility and openness.

In recognition of the excellence of her thesis entitled “Resurrection Takes Practice,” the 2023 Capstone Thesis Award was given to Aubrey Clark.

The Geneva School
The Geneva School
October 3, 2023
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
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  • K4 Moms Coffee

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • 3rd-5th Grade Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Geneva Cheer

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • 3-6th Grade Youth Tennis with Luke Russo

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Golf Away vs Trinity Christian

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Soccer Home Game vs Circle

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS White Team Volleyball Home Match vs. UHS Freshman

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Home match vs University High School

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Home match vs University High School

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
    See more details

  • Great Conversation with Nigel Biggar (RTS/TGS Joint Event)

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

October 4, 2023
  • US Chapel

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Seedlings Garden Club (Kindergarten)

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 2:20 pm- 3:20 pm
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  • 1st-2nd Grade Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
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  • Typing Class

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
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  • LS NHS Tutoring

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:25 pm- 4:10 pm
    See more details

  • Brioso Choir

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
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  • Green Thumbs Garden Club (3rd & 4th Grade)

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • NHS Tutoring

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Girls Golf Away vs Lake Mary Prep

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:45 pm- 5:45 pm
    See more details

  • Swim & Dive @ Trinity Prep

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 5:15 pm- 7:15 pm
    See more details

October 5, 2023
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 1st Grade Moms Coffee

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 / Kindergarten Youth Soccer

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 2:45 pm- 3:45 pm
    See more details

  • K4-Kindergarten Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 2:45 pm- 3:30 pm
    See more details

  • 4th Grade Volleyball Practice

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Kindergarten-6th Grade Youth Tennis with Stefanie

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Percussio

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Upper School Talent Show Rehearsal

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Golf Away vs Foundation Academy

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Soccer Home Game vs Central FL Prep

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Volleyball WhiteTeam Home Match vs. St Luke's Lutheran & TP

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • 9th Grade Parents Knight Out (PKO)

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Volleyball White Team Home Match vs. TPS (Riley Arena)

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
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October 6, 2023
  • Lower School Spirit Friday

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
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  • Fathers Watch

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • K–5th Gr Math Curriculum Parent Meeting

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 11:30 am- 9:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Daytona Tournament

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

  • K4-Kindergarten Youth Soccer Games

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:00 pm
    See more details

  • Strategy & Board Games Club

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 5:20 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Talent Show Rehearsal

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Football Home Game vs. Oasis Christian

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Talent Show

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

October 7, 2023
  • Cross Country Meet Ocoee High School

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 7:00 am- 9:00 am
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Swim & Dive @ Lake Highland Prep

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
    See more details

  • Upper School Talent Show

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

October 3, 2023
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • K4 Moms Coffee

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • 3rd-5th Grade Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Geneva Cheer

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • 3-6th Grade Youth Tennis with Luke Russo

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Philharmonia Orchestra

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Golf Away vs Trinity Christian

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Soccer Home Game vs Circle

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS White Team Volleyball Home Match vs. UHS Freshman

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Home match vs University High School

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Home match vs University High School

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
    See more details

  • Great Conversation with Nigel Biggar (RTS/TGS Joint Event)

    Date: October 3, 2023 - October 3, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

October 4, 2023
  • US Chapel

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 9:25 am- 10:10 am
    See more details

  • Seedlings Garden Club (Kindergarten)

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 2:20 pm- 3:20 pm
    See more details

  • 1st-2nd Grade Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • Typing Class

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 4:20 pm
    See more details

  • LS NHS Tutoring

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:25 pm- 4:10 pm
    See more details

  • Brioso Choir

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Green Thumbs Garden Club (3rd & 4th Grade)

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • NHS Tutoring

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Stitch Lab

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Girls Golf Away vs Lake Mary Prep

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 3:45 pm- 5:45 pm
    See more details

  • Swim & Dive @ Trinity Prep

    Date: October 4, 2023 - October 4, 2023
    Time: 5:15 pm- 7:15 pm
    See more details

October 5, 2023
  • Chamber Orchestra

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 7:15 am- 8:15 am
    See more details

  • 1st Grade Moms Coffee

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 10:00 am
    See more details

  • K4 / Kindergarten Youth Soccer

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 2:45 pm- 3:45 pm
    See more details

  • K4-Kindergarten Youth Soccer Practice

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 2:45 pm- 3:30 pm
    See more details

  • 4th Grade Volleyball Practice

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Kindergarten-6th Grade Youth Tennis with Stefanie

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Percussio

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 4:30 pm
    See more details

  • Upper School Talent Show Rehearsal

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Boys Golf Away vs Foundation Academy

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Soccer Home Game vs Central FL Prep

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm
    See more details

  • MS Volleyball WhiteTeam Home Match vs. St Luke's Lutheran & TP

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 4:30 pm- 5:30 pm
    See more details

  • 9th Grade Parents Knight Out (PKO)

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
    See more details

  • MS Volleyball White Team Home Match vs. TPS (Riley Arena)

    Date: October 5, 2023 - October 5, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 7:30 pm
    See more details

October 6, 2023
  • Lower School Spirit Friday

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 12:00 am- 11:59 pm
    See more details

  • Fathers Watch

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • K–5th Gr Math Curriculum Parent Meeting

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 8:30 am- 9:30 am
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 11:30 am- 9:30 pm
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Daytona Tournament

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

  • K4-Kindergarten Youth Soccer Games

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:15 pm- 4:00 pm
    See more details

  • Strategy & Board Games Club

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:20 pm- 5:20 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Talent Show Rehearsal

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 3:30 pm- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Football Home Game vs. Oasis Christian

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

  • Lower School Talent Show

    Date: October 6, 2023 - October 6, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:00 pm
    See more details

October 7, 2023
  • Cross Country Meet Ocoee High School

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 7:00 am- 9:00 am
    See more details

  • JV Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Varsity Volleyball Tournament in Daytona

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am- 5:00 pm
    See more details

  • Swim & Dive @ Lake Highland Prep

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
    See more details

  • Upper School Talent Show

    Date: October 7, 2023 - October 7, 2023
    Time: 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm
    See more details

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