ALMA – Students presented the results of their research and projects in art, performance and science at the 28th annual Kapp Honors Day, a celebration of the liberal arts.

Over 145 Alma College students participated in 84 different presentations in Alma College’s 28th annual Kapp Honors Day program on Thursday, April 4, 2024. This day provides a forum when traditional classes are canceled and students share their original research, creativity and talents with an audience of their peers.

In sessions spanning nearly eight hours, students perform in dance productions, give oral presentations of scholarly research, and lead poster discussions. With a multitude of the student body participating, other students are encouraged to attend as many presentations as possible both to support their fellow students and to learn from them.

Students are listed below along with the title(s) of their presentation(s):

George Amoako; Accra, Ghana
Presentation title(s): “Origins of Enantioselectivity in Enzymatic Oxidation of Indoles,” and “Relationship of Bone Reoxygenation Rate and Bone Density Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry”

Amelia Arnold; East Lansing, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Impact of Message Framing on Attitudes Towards Environmentalism and Pro-Environmental Behaviors”

Miranda Avolio; Canton, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Elderly Activity in Long-Term Care Facilities and the Effect on Daily Life Satisfaction”

Amanda Baker; Sparta, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna,” and “The Golem of Theresienstadt – Folklore in Tragic Times”

Gabriel Baynesan; Van Buren Township, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Krysta Bennett; Howard City, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Women in Music: Exploring the Experiences of Women Musicians in a Male-Dominated Field”

Sarah Bollinger; Beaver Falls, Pa.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”

Ella Bright; Sturgis, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”; “A Somatic Movement Choir”; and “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

Olivia Bunce; Whites Creek, Tenn.
Presentation title(s): “Effect of Toothbrush Storage Methods on Toothbrush Contamination and Oral Microbiome pH”

Thomas Burns; Detroit, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Anti-racism on the Factory Floor: Union Membership, Right-to-Work, and Racial Attitudes”; “Active and Passive Social Media Use and Mental Health Outcomes”; and “Labor Unions and Voting Behavior”

Allison Bush; Linden, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Hell Hath no Fury Like the Chronically Online: Violence, Social Media, and Social Movements”; and “Weight, Does it Matter? An Analysis of the Weighting Scheme Driving the Environmental Performance Index”

Catie Carey; Cadillac, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Lily Carney; Plymouth, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Dallas Conn; Ithaca, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Anti-racism on the Factory Floor: Union Membership, Right-to-Work, and Racial Attitudes”; “Common Sense Solutions”; and “The Split Ticket Voter”

Sophia Cooney; Ludington, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “What Do College Students Think of Psychedelics? Examining Attitudes, Usage, and Association with Death Anxiety.”

Takeveiona Costigan; Coloma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Brenden Coulter; Roscommon, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Fiber Type Oxidation”

Courtney Cowen; Port Washington, Wis.
Presentation title(s): “Choreography as an Imposition: Investigating Imposter Syndrome through Dance”; and “Comparative Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use in DIII Collegiate Athletes”

Dani Crews; Ypsilanti, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Implicit Bias in the Law Enforcement System”

Ella Cusack; Ada, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Relationship of Bone Reoxygenation Rate and Bone Density Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry”

Darcy Daenzer; Traverse City, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Innocence, Intelligence, and Acceptance in Angela Carter’s The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories”

Zoë Dawson; Farmington, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Choreography as an Imposition: Investigating Imposter Syndrome Through Dance”

Cody Deisler; Empire, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”; “A Somatic Movement Choir”; and “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

Kylie Demarets; Pocatello, Ida.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Kali Donnelly; Shingleton, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Elderly Activity in Long-Term Care Facilities and the Effect on Daily Life Satisfaction”

Alexis Dykstra; Hudsonville, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Caffeine Consumption and its Effects on Academic Performance”

Hailey Elwarner; Roseville, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Moss Ely; Okemos, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Laiken Ex; Sterling, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Caffeine Consumption and its Effects on Academic Performance”

Mallory Fenskie; Midland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Noah Festerling; Allegan, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Who’s Fault is it Anyway?: Emotion Regulation in Collegiate Doubles”; “Politics in the Periphery: Determinants of Regional Political Distinctiveness”; “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”; and “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

Grace Fryer; Wyoming, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Relationship of Bone Reoxygenation Rate and Bone Density Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry”

Amanda Garcia; Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Sleep on Academic Performance in Nursing Majors”

Alivia Giles; Wheeler, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “If Taylor Swift Was a Man, She’d be The Man”

Alexandra Gillies; Saginaw, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Tristian Gist; Warren, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Grant Goetschy; Laingsburg, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Gold Price Indicators in the U.S.”

Trevor Grandy; Hemlock, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effect of NaCl on Feeding Behaviors of H. azteca”

Neva Griffin; Clarkston, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “God’s Existence and the Fine-Tuning Argument”

Yuhao Guo; Florence, Ala.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Christina Harbin; Gaylord, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Chronic Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Measures During a Glucose Tolerance Test”

Mackenzie Harwood; Lake Orion, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Ethical Implications of Synthetic Biology and its Use to Promote Human Health”

Matthew Hayes; St. Johns, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Lauren Heard; Flat Rock, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Zoe Hedrick; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Audrey Hester; Grand Rapids, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Brooke Hetherington; Edmore, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Weston Hirvela; Rochester Hills, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”; and “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Rylei Hollenbaugh; Quincy, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Do Anxiety Levels of Nursing College Students Decrease After Education in Anxiety Reducing Techniques Over the Course of Seven Weeks?”

Morgan Horvath; Big Rapids, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Isabel House; Rosebush, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Stephen Hyde; Ann Arbor, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Injector Design on the Performance of a Small Liquid-fueled Rocket Engine”

Emerson Inzeo; Moraga, Calif.
Presentation title(s): “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

Hunter Jaffray; China, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Recognition and Denial of the Armenian Genocide in the 21st Century”

Noah Janssen; Mattawan, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning on College Athletes’ Explosive, and Athletic Performance”; and “Effects of Chronic Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Measures During a Glucose Tolerance Test”

Alexis John; St. Helen, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Impulse Buying: Who, How, and Why We Do It”; “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”; and “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

Vincent Johnson; Big Rapids, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”; and “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Ashley Kailbourne; Elsie, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Monica Karagozian; Allen Park, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Investigating Science Teachers’ Motivations to Continue Teaching Through a National Teacher Shortage”

Michael Kasperek; Sterling Heights, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Mental Health of Division III College Athletes”

Mikaylyn Kenney; Pentwater, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”

Lauren Kenny; Brunswick, Md.
Presentation title(s): “Hell Hath no Fury Like the Chronically Online: Violence, Social Media, and Social Movements”

Brenna Kilby; Frankenmuth, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Exploring Authoritarianism and Democracy in the Choreographic Processes of Martha Graham and Anna Halprin”

Ainsley Kinney; Fort Gratiot, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Creative Reflections on the Locrian Mode”

Chetara Knight; Chicago, Ill.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Paige Kohler; Northport, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Road Salts on Feeding Behaviors of Daphnia magna”

Rachel Kostrzewa; Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals”

Rylee Koutz; St. Louis, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Elderly Activity in Long-Term Care Facilities and the Effect on Daily Life Satisfaction”

Emily Kraenzlein; Midland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Abortion as A Political Issue”

Maxim Kraniak; Royal Oak, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”

Jake Lasceski; St. Johns, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”

Ella Lavey; East Lansing, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Exploration of Eating in Collegiate Athletes and Potential Mediators and Moderators”

Toby Layson; Washington, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Morgan Leake; Southfield, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”; and “Effects of Sleep on Academic Performance in Nursing Majors”

Leia Lehrer; Milford, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Choreography as an Imposition: Investigating Imposter Syndrome Through Dance”

Megan Leslie; Gowen, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Effects of Social Media On Our Youth’s Mental Health”

Syd Lopez; Oscoda, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Emotions, Trauma, Movement, and Dance”; and “Teacher Passion and Drive”

Tess Lord; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Jordan Lorenger; New Baltimore, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Choreography as an Imposition: Investigating Imposter Syndrome Through Dance”

Andrew Ludden; Farmingtn Hills, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “What do College Students Think of Psychedelics? Examining Attitudes, Usage, and Association With Death Anxiety”

Allie Mahoney; Chesaning, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Anti-racism on the Factory Floor: Union Membership, Right-to-Work, and Racial Attitudes”; “Adverse Childhood Experiences in Relation to Psychopathy”; and “Rise of Radical Right”

Jessalyn Marshall; Allen Park, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Sleep on Academic Performance in Nursing Majors”

Taylor Mathey; Midland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Bronwyn McAlindon; Kingsport, Tenn.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Walker Michaels; Allegan, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Determining Optimal Patient Positioning on DEXA for People With Scoliosis”

Angela Marie Edwards Mish; Grand Rapids, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Effect of Chronic NaCl Exposure on the Reproduction of Daphnia magna”

Isabelle Monroe; Gaylord, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Brazil’s Political Climate is a Danger for the Amazon”

Landen Moore-Pierce; Flushing, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Do Anxiety Levels of Nursing College Students Decrease After Education in Anxiety Reducing Techniques Over the Course of Seven Weeks?”

Atticus Mulder; Sidney, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”

Kennedy Mullen; Anchorage, Alas.
Presentation title(s): “The Future of Assisted Reproductive Technology”

Taylor Neeb; Weidman, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Examining the Influence of Menstrual Cycles on Academic Performance”

Charlayne-Aye Olegario; Trenton, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Rachel Olivieri; Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Emily Patzkowsky; Mattawan, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The American (In)justice System: Judges, Defenses, and Sentencing”

Samantha Peterson; Ada, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Church Politics”

Shadain Pink; Petoskey, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The American (In)justice System: Judges, Defenses, and Sentencing”

Yaw Poku; Rockford, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Public Policy”

Robert Preni; Westland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The American (In)justice System: Judges, Defenses, and Sentencing”; and “Common Sense Solutions”

Matthew Przepiora; Bay City, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Comparative Analysis of Division I and III Collegiate Soccer Data”

Mike Ravn; Kalamazoo, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Circadian Rhythm Parameters”; and “The Effect of Overexpression of EP3 Receptors on Troponin Levels and Cardiac Dysfunction in Mice”

Dani Ries; DeWitt, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Impact of Music on Sprint Race Times”

Emily Rivera; Rochester Hills, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Gabe Roof; Grand Blanc, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Sydney Rudolph; Clarkston, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Do Anxiety Levels of Nursing College Students Decrease After Education in Anxiety Reducing Techniques Over the Course of Seven Weeks?”

Euan Saunders; Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Benji Schall; Saginaw, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Growth Rates of a Generalist Garter Snake in a Variable Ecosystem”

Kyle Scheck; Highland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Brave New City-State”

Caleb Schuring; Portage, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Determining Optimal Patient Positioning on DEXA for People With Scoliosis”

Joanna Scorziello; Grand Rapids, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effect of Toothbrush Storage Methods on Toothbrush Contamination and Oral Microbiome pH”

Elizabeth Scott; Jackson, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Abbey Short; Monee, Ill.
Presentation title(s): “The Second Chance Our Ex-Offenders Deserve: Predicting Criminal Relapse, Recidivism, and Successful Reentry”

Nayonikaa Singhaal; New Delhi, India
Presentation title(s): “Behind the Closed Doors: An Analysis of Domestic Violence in India”

Jessica Skinner; Grand Haven, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Exploring Gendered Norms and Experiences of People With PCOS”

Ty Slater; Alanson, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “MSU Football Data Analytics: How is Maximum Velocity and Acceleration Correlated to Weight Room Metrics?”

Brenna Smith; South Haven, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Diagnosed, Therefore I Am: How Health and Identity Relate to Treatment Adherence”

Emily Smith; Sebewaing, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Rise of Xenotransplantation”

Scott Sparks; Ithaca, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Phytochemical Analysis of the American Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)”

Ella Squier; Potterville, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Hell Hath no Fury Like the Chronically Online: Violence, Social Media, and Social Movements”

Toby Stauffer; Midland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Comparative Analysis of Division I and III Collegiate Soccer Data”

Taylor Stenger; Lowell, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Do Anxiety Levels of Nursing College Students Decrease After Education in Anxiety Reducing Techniques Over the Course of Seven Weeks?”

Chelsea Swartzle; Okemos, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The American (In)justice System: Judges, Defenses, and Sentencing”

Bill Syckle; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effects of Sleep on Academic Performance in Nursing Majors”

Andrea Taghon; Honor, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Collegiate Track and Field Athletes”

Elijah Thomas; McCordsville, Ind.
Presentation title(s): “Caffeine Consumption and its Effects on Academic Performance”

Anna Thornburgh; St. Johns, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “The Psychological Effect of Parental Cancer on Dependents”

Abigale Thorsen; Mancelona, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Anxiety and Depression in College Aged Individuals Following Adverse Childhood Experiences”

David Troyer; Huntington, Ind.
Presentation title(s): “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”; “A Somatic Movement Choir”; and “Men and Women Writing Women in Drama”

David Valdes; Brookfield, Wis.
Presentation title(s): “A Computational Verification of the Reconstruction Conjecture on Small Graphs”

Sarah Vanisacker; Newport, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Analyzing NCAA D1 Athletes Training Loads”

Maria Vostrizansky; DeWitt, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Yugoslavia as an American Cold War Asset: Examining the Truman Administration’s Approach to Anti-Communism and Strategic Alliances”

Brianna Wallace; Detroit, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “What do College Students Think of Psychedelics? Examining Attitudes, Usage, and Association With Death Anxiety”

Nathaniel Watson; Midland, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Towards a Comprehensive Framework for Combating Contemporary Materials Challenges in School Libraries”

Mary Webb; Kingsley, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Madelyn Weber; Byron Center, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Comparison of Concussion Symptoms Between Female and Male Athletes”

Maizey Wheeler; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “On the Importance of Biblical Feminism in Today’s Cisheteropatriarchy”

Rachel Whitt; Oxford, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Effect of NaCl on Feeding Behaviors of H. azteca”

Claire Williams; Brooklyn, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Elderly Activity in Long-Term Care Facilities and the Effect on Daily Life Satisfaction”

Haylee Williams; Pinckney, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Comparative Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Use in DIII Collegiate Athletes”

Logan Williams; Waterford, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna”

Claire Wittlieff; Manistee, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Equal Rights, Interrupted: How the Feminist Movement Regressed Due to White Evangelical Beliefs”

Regan Yates; Laingsburg, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Magical Realism: The Ever-Present, Unspoken Theatrical Genre”

Brooklin Yokubonus; Whitehall, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “A Somatic Movement Choir”

Breanna Yorch; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Common Sense Solutions”

Corey Zeneberg; Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Pine River Anthology 2024 Lacuna,” and “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”

Abigail Zerbe; Alma, Mich.
Presentation title(s): “Art and Design Majors’ Senior Show 2024 Spectrum”