Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Norwalk Student Research Award! The committee is excited to announce Iris Cintra Couto and Luzdary Hoyos Dominguez as the 20204 finalists of this award recognizing excellence in student research at Norwalk Campus Library. Nathaniel Boll and Rebekah Forni also received honorable mentions for their work. Read the winning papers below.
Iris’s research paper was written as part of her ENGL 1010 course taught by Rachel Jasiczek. In her recommendation of her submission, Professor Jasiczek noted both the depth and breadth of Iris’s research on her topic and her skill at addressing a challenging assignment, stating “Rather than simply summarize information and focus paragraphs about particular sources, Iris engaged in true synthesis; she focused her paragraphs on key ideas and then brings sources into conversation with each other—identifying similarities and differences in authors’ opinions while weaving her own authoritative voice into the scholarly conversation. . . . [T]he culturally meaningful argument Iris presents in her paper—after careful and meticulous research—far exceeds expectations for an ENG 1010 course and is absolutely deserving of recognition.”
Luzdary's research paper was written for her ENGL 1030 course taught by Susan Gebhardt-Burns. In her reflective introduction to her essay, Luzdary writes, “I tried to incorporate all the lessons I’ve learnt this semester, from analyzing text to building an argument. But most importantly, I increased my media literacy and navigated the library resources. Ultimately, involving myself more with resources provided . . . allowed me to create this paper and enhance it. We are blessed to be a part of this community and should use it to the best of our ability.” In her recommendation, Professor Gebhardt-Jones also highlights her research skills: “Luz takes a refreshing look at affiliative humor in our lives, beautifully introducing her varied sources, from Studies in American Humor to The Psychology of Humor: An Integrative Approach. I love her imaginative hook, which is then bookended with flourish in her conclusion. My favorite line: “As the noise subsides and the smile fades, humor now has done its work.”
Nathaniel’s research paper was written as part of his ENGL 1010 course taught by Rachel Jasiczek. In his submission reflection, Nathaniel commented on his research and writing process, noting that was writing on a subject with which he had almost no prior experience. He wrote, “In a way I think this worked to my benefit, I was truly learning totally new concepts about how we as people and as a society think of language, the differences between them, and what makes them similar. Everything I wrote in this paper felt fresh and new to me.” As proof that research can have direct, real-world effects, Nathaniel noted that after writing his paper, he enrolled in a Spanish class “with the goal of improving [his] potential both as a writer and a communicator.”
Rebekah ended her paper as follows: "As we move forward, critical analysis of our satire will become more important identifying comedy from propaganda and misinformation.” Susan Gebhardt-Burns, her instructor for ENGL 1030, praised Rebekah’s current and timely topic : “Before even reading this essay, Rebekah already had me hooked with her title. . . . Her final line keeps her audience thinking long after finishing her interesting argument.” Professor Gebhardt-Burns continues: “I was impressed that Rebekah used a nice variety of materials, from journals to newspapers, from education to sociological sources. An interesting read all around, with real implications for past and present elections.”