The fruit of a classical Christian education is seen throughout the grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages, but the marquee event that truly showcases what our students have learned as critical thinkers who have been taught through biblical truth, is the thesis presentation.

For anyone who has ever wondered about classical, Christian education or wanted to know what that looks like as kids get older, the senior thesis presentations are the perfect opportunity to learn more. This year’s event was held on the nights of January 13 and 15 in the Evangel Church sanctuary as the culmination of many years of education, diligence, and passion. 

While it is a huge accomplishment for our seniors and a lot of hard work, the process is well thought out, and they are guided every step of the way by their teachers and advisors, including Dr. Wendy Kautz and Mrs. Amanda Wortham. The official thesis process takes 17 months and begins in the fall of the students’ junior year. Mrs Wortham explains an overview of what that looks like:

• 
  The process begins with choosing a topic, brainstorming, preliminary research, and formal study of rhetoric. 
• The students then begin to develop an outline, work with a faculty advisor, and construct research-based arguments. 
• Once their outlines are fully developed, they begin writing, producing three written drafts. They adapt their draft into a speech, which they present publicly on thesis presentation night.
• The final step is defense, when they defend their ideas for a panel of adjudicators. 

“The students develop academic skills in critical thinking, research, writing, rewriting, responding to critics, prepared and extemporaneous speech, and development of ideas,” says Mrs. Wortham. “They also cultivate spiritual disciplines in diligence, faithfulness, deference, perseverance, courage, kindness, and championing truth.” 

This long-term project is a tremendous challenge that bears substantial fruit. Dr. Kautz and Mrs. Wortham agree that this process prepares students for whatever is next, whether that's college, relationships, service, citizenship, or vocation. “Our hope is that this challenge prepares students to continue to work in the kingdom of God and bless their neighbors.”

2026 Seniors and Topics:

• 
  Hector Caucutt: A Case for Rhetoric 
• Emily Blake: Japan: Ground for the Gospel 
• Luke Petersen: The Constellations: God’s Glorious Story  
• Nandry Taylor: Sexual Purity in a Christian’s Life 
• Colin Puckett: AI and Education: Friends or Foes?   
• Caroline Majors: Which Mirror Are You Looking In? The Value of Self-Reflection 
• Dean Cranston: A Look at a Life Well Lived 
• Lexi Culpepper: Never Too Old: The Timelessness of Children’s Literature 
• Alexander Luna: Out of Many, One: The Lost Art of American Federalism 
• Charlotte Hankins: False Beauty, Theft, and Other High Crimes: The Dangers of AI Art 
• Seth Patrick: More Than a Blueprint: How Architecture and Design Shape Our World
• Alyssa Stephens: A Piece Is Missing: How the Loss of a Mother Affects Her Children 
• Sam Patrick: Three Key Principles of True Education 
• Anna Caroline Poole: The Good, the Bad, and the Godly: The Morality of Pagan Mythology 
• Will Hindman: Wonder and Wisdom: A Disneyland Story  
• Will Harvey: To the Ends of the Earth: A Call to Missions 

Dr. Kautz and Mrs. Wortham also agree that there was a great variety in topics this year, which they loved. “The students choose their own topics, and we learn so much from them about their various interests,” says Mrs. Wortham. 

For those who are interested in watching this year’s thesis presentations, the full videos can be found on our Youtube page.Night 1 and Night 2.