Seniors at Geneva School of Boerne write and defend a thesis as the capstone to their classical education at Geneva. The senior thesis is a dissertation in which the student advances an original point of view, typically on a controversial topic. Seniors begin the academic year by selecting a topic with help from their faculty advisor. Topics are researched, and a final draft is submitted before the student prepares for the oral presentation.
The first part of the thesis presentation is an eloquent 20-minute speech delivered from memory. The speech is given before expert panelists, schoolmates, parents, faculty members and guests. Upon completion of the oral presentation, the invited panelists, alongside a faculty member, question the student on points they have raised. This is an opportunity for the students to demonstrate depth of knowledge on their topics along with the ability to make practical applications.
This year, the 39 seniors presented and defended their theses, and Brady Chandler was recognized as the 2026 winner of the G.K. Chesterton Award for the best overall Senior Thesis presentation for his thesis titled, “Fission Impossible: How Advances in Nuclear Technology Can Enhance Our Energy Infrastructure.” Other G.K. Chesterton Finalists included Abigail Bussey, Gray Bruner, Elle Chalmers, Trinity Cloud, Teagan Fikes, Sopris Oglesby, Caroline Pickle, Mary Simpson, Emrey Taylor, Jonathan Taylor and Reid Wilson.