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 42 seniors presented and defended their theses, and Micah Briggs was recognized as the 2025 winner of the G.K. Chesterton Award for the best overall senior thesis presentation for his thesis titled, “The Sky is Not Falling: A Re-Evaluation of the Climate Apocalypse.” Other G.K. Chesterton Finalists included Victoria Allen, Ella Dillinger, Kate Friesenhahn, Jack Walker Harden, Emma Malkowski, Mandy Mills, Jackson Mitchell, Hannah Reyes, Jake Roberson, Rachel Troyer and John Walter.