For my capstone project, I created a race called the sla road to Glory 5k, which is an event that I did because I really love running, and I was inspired by the other 5ks that I have been a part of called the SLA Anyway 5k. I wanted to put my own spin on the 5k, so I changed the name and called it the SLA Road to Glory 5k. The way that I went about it I got funding from Braskem, which is a company that helps SLA students with the process. I then, as time went on, got a permit, shirts, and medals, and then put on the event. It was such a fun process to be the race director for this event; it really showed how to put on the core values of our school, which are inquiry, research, collaboration, presentation, and reflection. It was a very long process with changing of locations due to permit issues and everything, but this experience of putting this on to showcase sla to a wider audience was really nice, and this race is something that I will always hold as making SLA a better place. I hope you all enjoy what I have done for my project.

Attached below is the race manual that I had to make for this race and photos.

For my Capstone Project, I collaborated with my partner, Ada, to transform the 4th-floor study room at SLA through a large-scale mural and an educational website. What began as a simple desire to leave a visual mark on our school evolved into a deep dive into Philadelphia’s environmental issues. Our project features a mural of the Philadelphia skyline integrated with the complete ecosystem of our local watershed, highlighting the fish and aquatic life that depend on clean city water. To ensure our project met the expectations for a duo-capstone, I also developed a website that provides data, history, and calls to action regarding watershed issues in our region. I chose this project because art has always been a primary way of communicating ideas, but I wanted my final act as sla to be more than just aesthetically pleasing. I wanted to create something permanent that improved the daily environment for my peers.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rq0bVzSVZKN7gHQU4KIPJ0Gh6Xo6T7J6P7ypi0e4OkQ/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HibWDnhOK_vEG6X8hXsxNr4vPQnrmuE2SAl0gOBaNMo/edit?usp=sharing

For my senior capstone, I explored how digital platforms can reshape community engagement and accessibility within religious institutions by designing a website concept for my local mosque. The project focused on addressing communication issues caused by disoriented platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook, where important information was often missed or inaccessible to certain members of the community. Through surveys, interviews, research, and technical development, I designed a mobile-first website featuring dynamic prayer times, bilingual English and Bangla support, event calendars, and accessibility-focused navigation for older users and non-technical community members. Throughout the process, I researched responsive web design, accessibility standards, API integration, and user experience design while working closely with mosque leadership, community members, and my mentor. Although the mosque ultimately chose to move in a different direction for officially launching the website, the project still became a meaningful learning experience that strengthened my technical abilities, problem-solving skills, and understanding of community-centered design. More importantly, this capstone taught me that successful technology is not only about functionality, but about designing systems that respect culture, improve accessibility, and strengthen human connection.

Link to Website: https://novaimpact.github.io/baitulmukkaram/

Link to Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14q04aTi1bmJSOD73XGpmrbNY0Hsimz2qR5oxwYfVgNM/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone, I designed and produced custom volleyball team gear for the SLA boys’ and girls’ teams. My inquiry question was, “how can student-led fundraising and custom apparel design strengthen school community and team spirit for the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams?”. I had received team gear in my first two years of being a volleyball player during high school. The merch was organized and produced by upperclassmen and when I came to that age, I was inspired to do the same for my own teams to make teammates feel special and connected the same way I did. During my junior and senior year I decided to research companies, create original designs, organize team orders, and fundraise to cover costs. I worked with two different companies, one being a local Philadelphia print shop, to create sweatpants and hoodies. In order to raise money, I organized multiple three-day bake sales which consisted of designing promotional posters to hang around the school and baking and selling food items. I tracked finances and other data through Google Forms and Google Sheets and during this process I communicated with teammates, school staff, and printing companies to manage sizes, quantities, and delivery logistics. I advanced my skills in graphic design, budgeting, fundraising, time management, and professional communication. I am very proud of my final product and its impact on the school community. It took a lot of patience, organization, and collaboration to turn my ideas into successful physical products.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u9OoM9jG_EYVahk0Dx9j13CS_QHaf9rjNy8o_G-_r04/edit?tab=t.0

For my Capstone project, I created a short documentary exploring the impact of fashion, specifically focusing on fast fashion, thrift stores in Philadelphia, and the role of reselling. Throughout the process, I researched the history of thrift stores and the environmental effects of clothing waste, while also filming my own experiences thrifting, sewing, and reselling clothes on Depop. I visited multiple thrift stores, recorded footage, and included interviews to show different perspectives on secondhand shopping. My final product is a mini documentary that combines voiceover, videos, and real life examples to explain how clothing consumption affects the environment and how thrifting can be a more sustainable option. Through this project, I learned how to plan, film, and edit a documentary, as well as how to communicate a message clearly through both videos and voiceover. I also gained a better understanding of how everyday choices, like buying clothes, can have a larger impact than people realize

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13-r9mzPnSMYWH1vJOl_wcDijoUefhkzs/view?usp=drivesdk

For my capstone project, I explored the question: “How can public art communicate social and environmental issues within our communities?” I collaborated with Onna Richburg to create a mural of the Philadelphia skyline above a vibrant river representing the Schuylkill. The mural includes QR codes linking to a website Onna designed, which explains environmental challenges facing Philadelphia’s water systems, the watershed, and the Lenape people’s historical relationship with water—highlighting how that respect has been lost over time. We chose this project because of our connection to art and our experience growing up in a polluted city. We wanted to contrast that reality with a vision of clean, thriving water. My role was painting the mural, while Onna developed the website. We faced several challenges, including redefining our project to meet requirements and overcoming a lack of funding after missing a grant opportunity. After struggling to find supplies, we connected with a local mural activist who donated recycled paint, allowing us to continue while supporting sustainability. I spent over two months painting, revising, and refining the mural based on peer feedback. This project reflects SLA’s core values by encouraging inquiry, collaboration, and real-world impact. It invites viewers to reflect on environmental issues and take action. I’m proud of our resilience and growth, and I hope this mural inspires others to use creativity to raise awareness and make a difference in their communities.

(linked below: capstone slideshow with picture of mural, annotated bibliography linked on last slide) https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Pis1IB8islhGC6yALDbf5GGiCpwWsSMPV_9hOj-lo5g/edit?slide=id.p#slide=id.p