The Capstone is a yearlong research project where eighth graders choose a topic that is important to them personally. I interviewed a few students on their topics and personal reasons why they chose them. Sam Campagna chose mental disabilities as his topic because his cousin has a disability and Sam wants to learn more about how they affect people. Vivian chose “Freedom of Speech and the Evolution of the First Amendment” as her topic because she wants to analyze the freedom of the people. Vivian wants to make sure the people’s voices are heard, and that America remains a free and just democracy. Another student’s topic is the “Effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and how it is still seen in American society today in the form of homelessness and unemployment.” This act had an effect on her family and families of people she knew, so this student wanted to learn more the act and its effects on the economy. Through their research, the students hope to gain a deeper understanding of their chosen topic, and educate others about it.