28 AQUINAS LANDMARK | SUMMER 2026 AQ CAPSTONE 2026 school news Before they walk across the graduation stage, Aquinas seniors are asked one final question: Who have you become, and what legacy will you leave behind? Through the Aquinas Capstone program, students turn years of growth, challenge, faith, and discovery into something deeply personal. More than a final assignment, the Capstone represents the culmination of an Aquinas journey rooted in the Basilian values of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. ABOUT THE AQUINAS CAPSTONE First beginning in 2018, the Aquinas Capstone is a multi-year project, which begins when a student enrolls at Aquinas and culminates during the student’s senior year. The Capstone is designed to encourage students to think critically, solve problems, and to develop skills such as oral communication, research, public speaking, planning, teamwork, digital citizenship, self-sufficiency, and goal setting. The Capstone allows students to go deeper with their learning and enhance their education through self-exploration. It is an opportunity to showcase their growth as they transition into life outside of Aquinas. CONNECTED THROUGH PURPOSE Although every project is different, all AQ students are connected by shared values. Listed within this article are just a few students who used their passions to make a difference. Innovation | Leah Brown CAPSTONE TOPIC: Building and optimizing a drone capable of racing against an Amazon delivery drone. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TOPIC? I chose this topic because I plan to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. I have been fascinated by space and aviation since I was three years old, and I wanted my Capstone project to reflect that passion. Originally, I considered building a rocket, but I realized that creating and optimizing a drone would be a more achievable challenge while still allowing me to explore engineering concepts. I also had some background knowledge from building and racing RC cars with my dad when I was younger, which gave me a strong foundation to start the project. Knowing I could turn to him for guidance if needed gave me the confidence to take on such an ambitious endeavor. WHAT LEGACY OR IMPACT DO YOU HOPE THIS PROJECT LEAVES BEHIND? I hope this project inspires others to pursue their passions and believe in their abilities, regardless of the challenges they may face. As a young woman entering the field of engineering—a profession that is still largely male-dominated—I wanted to demonstrate that anyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to work hard and stay committed. If my project encourages even one student to pursue a dream they once thought was out of reach, then I will consider it a success. HOW DOES YOUR CAPSTONE REFLECT THE PERSON AQUINAS HAS HELPED YOU BECOME? My Capstone helped me realize that failure is not something to fear. In fact, it is an important part of learning and growth. I have always struggled with perfectionism and felt that everything needed to be done correctly the first time. Through this project, however, I learned to embrace mistakes and view them as opportunities to improve. At one point, I made a significant mistake while building the drone’s frame and had to redo a large portion of my work, even though I was close to finishing. Instead of giving up, I stepped away, regrouped, and returned to the project with a new perspective. That experience taught me perseverance, resilience, and the value of trusting the process. Aquinas has helped me develop those qualities, and this project became a reflection of the confidence and determination I have gained along the way. Faith | Eddie Mancini CAPSTONE TOPIC: My Capstone project focused on creating a curriculum for a faithbased youth leadership group. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TOPIC? I chose to create a curriculum for a faith-based youth leadership group because I grew up in the church and through sports, I often held leadership roles at a young age. When considering ideas for my Capstone, I began reflecting on the challenges that can come with leading others in a faith-based setting. From there, I developed a curriculum designed to help young leaders grow in confidence and effectively guide their peers while remaining rooted in their faith. WHAT LEGACY OR IMPACT DO YOU HOPE THIS PROJECT LEAVES BEHIND? My goal is for students to use this curriculum as a guide to help them lead others through Christ with confidence, compassion, and purpose. I hope it continues to serve as a valuable resource for years to come, inspiring future student leaders to grow in both their faith and leadership abilities. HOW DOES YOUR CAPSTONE REFLECT THE PERSON AQUINAS HAS HELPED YOU BECOME? My Capstone reflects the person Aquinas has helped me become because it showcases both my growth as a leader and the strength of my relationship with God. Throughout my time at Aquinas, I have learned the importance of leading through faith, whether in athletics, the classroom, or everyday life. This project represents the values, leadership skills, and faith-centered perspective that Aquinas has helped me develop over the years. Service | Talia Norton CAPSTONE TOPIC: My Capstone project focused on the importance of animal shelters, the misconceptions surrounding them, and the downsides of purchasing animals from breeders. Through the project, I collected and donated more than 300 items to Verona Street Animal Shelter with the help of student donations and local pet store, Pet Supplies Plus. I also created social media campaigns and distributed flyers to help raise awareness. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS TOPIC? I chose this topic because I have a passion for animals, especially dogs. I currently have four rescue dogs, some of which came directly from Verona Street Animal Shelter. Not only do I care deeply about helping underprivileged animals, but I also feel that shelters are often overlooked. I
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