Senior Thesis Projects Cap the Great Hearts Experience

The senior thesis is the culmination of the Great Hearts Education. Every Great Book read, every poem recited, and every Socratic discussion all lead up to this meaningful work. Once classical texts are selected by the scholar, they choose the focus of their thesis and develop an argument, with the guidance of a faculty advisor, before finally presenting an oral defense before a panel.

“Our aim with the Senior Thesis Project is to provide our seniors with an opportunity to show their independence as readers and thinkers, to make a claim in a bold thesis statement, building a rigorous and coherent argument in support of that claim with significant textual evidence; to experience wonder and joy in the act of learning from the wisdom and beauty of Great Books; and to share their discoveries, arguments, and joy in learning with the panel, their families, friends, and peers at the oral defense,” explained Dr. Christian Holland, a Humane Letters teacher and Senior Thesis Coordinator at Great Hearts Anthem.

“This capstone project mirrors the aims of a classical education, learning how to think, how to judge, and how to find truth,” explained Zack Withers, Headmaster at Great Hearts Anthem. “The thesis project is especially important at Great Hearts because it embodies the school’s commitment to forming the whole person. Students are asked to show intellectual courage, perseverance, humility, and responsibility. The process is demanding, and even uncomfortable, but deliberately so. It teaches students that worthy ideas require sustained attention and disciplined effort, habits that prepare them for college, vocation, and civic life.”

Senior Brighton Pillsbury from Great Hearts Anthem’s Class of 2026 says that she drew from Les Misérables, Crime and Punishment, and The Hiding Place. “I wrote about how suffering can be more than pointless pain because it is a path to knowledge and virtue.”

Pillsbury’s chosen texts were the easy part for her, but her senior advisors were able to help her gain perspective in tackling the overarching year-long project. “My advisor encouraged me not to relegate this assignment as something simply to finish. As Victor Hugo says in Les Misérables, ‘The pursuit of thought is the soul’s real triumph.’ I fully embraced the journey which allowed the process to shape my understanding of the topic and even my personal character. Once I had the right mindset, my advisors both helped me flesh out my ideas, and challenged me throughout the process. The teachers are amazing at Great Hearts. Even three teachers who were not on my panel read through my paper and offered their insights.”

Once Pillsbury completed the written portion of the project, research and preparation for her oral defense began. “I immersed myself in my books, searching for quotes and ideas that resonated or challenged my thesis. I became driven by genuine joy and excitement. At one such moment, I was so excited by a quote I found in Crime and Punishment, that I accidentally tore my book in half out of sheer enthusiasm. I would even run into my parents’ room and excitedly share the ideas I had discovered.”

Her father remembers one of the nights. “One of the most memorable moments of the entire process came late one evening when Brighton burst through our bedroom door, nearly breathless with excitement,” he recalled. “Clutching her head, she exclaimed that she had just had a mind‑blowing insight into Svidrigailov from Crime and Punishment. Our typically calm and composed child was jumping up and down, completely overtaken by the joy of intellectual discovery and sudden clarity. It was a beautiful glimpse of how Great Hearts students come fully alive through great books and deep thought.”

“These were the moments that I understood what it felt like to love learning for its own sake. I became absolutely absorbed in my research and writing, often leading me to lose track of time. What once felt like academic work became something far more meaningful,” shared Pillsbury. “All of sudden, it wasn’t about the deadlines or a grade, but a genuine pursuit of truth. The challenges I faced during this process no longer felt like obstacles but necessary steps towards a deeper understanding. Not only did this process give me enjoyment, but it also gave me practical, lasting fulfillment.”

When it came time to present her oral defense to a panel of faculty and an audience of family and peers, Pillsbury said she was very nervous, but also excited. “To help me focus, I memorized my synopsis, which is where you stand at a podium and give an overview of your paper and your thesis. This helped me feel prepared,” she said. After the presentation, the panel has the opportunity to ask questions in order gauge her understanding of the material and her thesis. “There were a few times during the defense where I didn’t quite know how to answer a question, but I was able to work through them using my books. Once I gained a rhythm, I started being able to quote several passages from each of my books. That gave me further confidence that I could handle any question. I was very surprised at how fast the defense went by because before I knew it, it was over. I was also proud of the fact that my grandparents and relatives were there to watch me. It was special to share my highest academic experience with my family because they have always been there to support me.”

Now that the final product of the massive project is behind her, Pillsbury is still reflecting on the value of this assignment. “Through the difficulty of this process, I am now graduating with confidence, knowing I am not only prepared for college but for life beyond. I have grown in my knowledge, wisdom, and virtue. And although I have infinitely more to learn, I am prepared and excited to undertake other difficult tasks because now I understand that seeking knowledge is a rewarding goal.

After graduation, Pillsbury plans to attend Cedarville University in Ohio, majoring in biology. She says she is excited to build on the educational and moral foundation established by Great Hearts. Although it will be her first time away from family and friends, she feels prepared academically because of her time at Great Hearts. “I am so thankful that I attended a school that pushed me beyond surface level ideas and presented me with the gift of the senior thesis.”

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.