This year’s National Collegiate Honors Conference took place in New Orleans and Ramapo had the exciting opportunity to take eight students along.
The eight students, all female, presented research in various fields including literature, art, pop culture, film and education.
Seven of the students presented their research in the form of a poster, at a session on the Friday morning of the conference. The women spent hours discussing their research with judges, mentors and other honors students from around the country.
Senior Jennifer Seitis presented her research in the form of a documentary. Her film tracked the process of Ramapo’s 2018 fall production “Anonymous,” and further dove into the life of refugees, which is a main focus of the show.
Another senior, Stephanie Guzman, presented her research, titled “Calling all Latinas: Si Se Puede (You Can Do it!),” after receiving an award at last year’s conference. Her research analyzed the educational opportunities for Latina women as first-generation students in higher education.
Senior Constance Marion presented a poster on her work concerning the stark divide between Little Red Riding Hood stories as they exist in modern times. Her work comes from her research in her Honors First-Year Seminar class.
Other students presenting were sophomores Gabriela Buniowska, Miriam Sokolska and Tori D’Amico, and juniors Jessica Ryan and Andrea Hofstra.
When students were not at the conference, they were given the opportunity to explore and learn about the rich history of New Orleans’ French Quarter.
These students took every opportunity to embrace the culture of the city. Excursions included a visit to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and dessert at the famous Palace Cafe.
The Honors Program, though young to the college, is making strides in showing the strength of Ramapo students’ achievements. Conferences and expositions such as this are opportunities for Ramapo to become a connected, national college, and students are proving they are ready to show their skills.
vdamico@ramapo.edu