Murrie Wins Cicero Competition

The Cicero Award is named after the Roman orator Cicero and goes to the senior who gives the best Senior Thesis presentation. Every year, five seniors are nominated by their teachers to compete; all compete on the same day, and a panel of judges selects the winner. 

 

The selection of the five is based on the quality of the students' final draft of the paper, their practice presentation, and commitment to the topic and work throughout the year. Nominees this year also included: Stella Maton, Isabella Harris, Susannah Carter,  and Caroline Thompson.

Here is an excerpt of Teagan's Thesis:
Due to its unjust inconsistency, inherent cruelty, and negative effect on the American justice system and everyone in it, capital punishment in America should be entirely abolished. Though theoretical arguments can be made for a morally acceptable form of capital punishment, the death penalty as routinely administered in America--with error and inequity including racial bias--fails to fulfill a mission of justice, furthering a system of retribution instead of reconciliation and rehabilitation. The Death Penalty, even if it were administered correctly with less error, fails to account for humanity’s ability to forgive and to change. It defines a person by the worst thing they have ever done, a harsh and dangerous rule that negatively affects us all.

Way to go, Teagan!