RRCSD Celebrates Its AP Capstone Diploma Recipients

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio – At the Rocky River City School District, 18 students have earned the AP Capstone Diploma^™ and eight students have earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.^™ The AP Capstone Diploma program helps students develop the critical thinking, research, collaboration, and presentation skills that are critical for academic success. 

To receive the AP Capstone Diploma, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research, and on four additional AP Exams. To receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research. Students are increasingly participating in the AP Capstone program. Over 2,200 schools participated in the AP Capstone program worldwide during the 2021-22 school year. Approximately 14,100 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,200 earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.  

Unlike traditional AP^® subject exams with a single end-of-year assessment, AP Seminar and AP Research assessments are project based and evaluate skills mastery through group projects, presentations, and individual essays completed throughout the year. Instead of focusing on one specific academic discipline, AP Seminar and AP Research are interdisciplinary: students are empowered to create research projects based on topics of personal interest. Students are assessed on the critical thinking, research, collaboration, time management, and presentation skills needed to complete their projects. At RRCSD, students focused their research on a range of topics, including: 

• Adolescent perceptions of female representation in superhero films
• The role of social media influencers in adolescent fast fashion consumption
• Representation of Norse mythology in Marvel Cinematic Universe Thor trilogy
• Parents' decision-making process for whether or not to allow their child to play tackle football
• Influence of biased media sources on political polarization in college students
• Vietnam War Veterans' perceptions of society's response to the Vietnam War
• Effect of landscape painting on psychological and physiological stress in adolescents
• Mentorship-leadership cycle among green technology innovators
• Personality characteristics common to female protagonists in young adult fiction
• Ethical decision-making process surrounding video game emulators

“Now in its sixth year at Rocky River High School, AP Research is an exciting, invigorating course to teach,” said Allison Paetz, AP Research teacher. “The students bring such a diversity of ideas, backgrounds, and topics that every year is different. We have had students go on to gain access to collegiate research lab positions, internships, and future career paths that aligned with their AP Research topics.”

“I’m thrilled to congratulate these motivated students, who worked hard to earn the AP Capstone Diploma and AP Seminar and Research Certificate,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement^® Program. “These students have enhanced the foundation for their future academic and professional careers by honing their ability to manage long-term projects, collaborate with teams, and deliver effective presentations on topics they’re passionate about.”

Of the students who participated in the AP Capstone Diploma program at Rocky River High School:

• Samantha Coleman, ‘22
• Erin Eckman, ‘22
• Henry Fritz, ‘22
• Liliana Hernandez, ‘22
• Jordan Jacques, ‘22
• Madeline Lundin, ‘22
• Megan Pawlowski, ‘22
• Isabella Ruebsteck, ‘22
• Ella Russell, ‘22
• Isabella Shaner, ‘22
• William Slyman, ‘22
• Kate Snyder, ‘22
• Nicholas Uline, ‘22
• Gregory Ganor, ‘23
• Sarah Kozlowski, ‘23
• Evan Lei, ‘23
• Nathyn Marius, ‘23
• Gianna Miller, ‘23

• Tatum Connelly, ‘22
• Lily Derrick, ‘22
• Elizabeth Glinatsis, ‘22
• Katherine McKeown, ‘22
• Caroline Sidoti, ‘22
• Emma Maher, ‘23
• Marin Richmond, ‘23
• Siena Roselli, ‘23