Academic Excellence on Display at Immaculata High School's Marian Scholar Symposium

Posted on 05/18/2026

Immaculata High School proudly celebrated the outstanding achievements of its Marian Scholars during the 2026 Marian Scholars Symposium, held on campus on Sunday, May 17. The annual event showcased the impressive year-long research projects of students in the school’s prestigious academic program, highlighting topics ranging from academic stress and perfectionism to systems engineering and voter representation.

Named in honor of Mary, the school’s patroness, the Marian Scholars program is designed to cultivate advanced research, presentation, and critical-thinking skills while encouraging students to explore important local and global issues. Through rigorous academic coursework, mentorship opportunities, seminars, and experiential learning, students are challenged to pursue knowledge with curiosity, creativity, and purpose.

Among the student presenters was senior Angela Wyka, who explored the disconnect between students’ awareness of unhealthy academic habits and their continued behaviors surrounding stress, burnout, and academic pressure.

“My AP Research project studied why high-achievers continue habits like overworking and sleep deprivation despite being aware of their negative effects,” Wyka explained. “My research found that perfectionism, identity-based pressure, and normalized academic stress all help contribute to this ‘knowledge-behavior gap’ in high-school students.”

James Roccanova, class of 2026, combined his passion for current events with his future studies in Industrial and Systems Engineering to propose solutions aimed at improving representation for underrepresented American voters.

“I’ve always been interested in systems optimization and improvement, which is why I will be studying Industrial and Systems Engineering in college,” Roccanova shared. “My research takes my interest in current political events and combines it with my major to propose a solution that benefits all underrepresented American voters.”

Moderators and mentors of the program praised the students for the depth and quality of their work.

“We are so proud of our Marian Scholars for the incredible work they presented at this year’s Symposium,” said Marian Scholar co-coordinator Janine DeAngelo-Mustillo. “Their dedication, creativity, and passion for learning were truly inspiring.”

Victoria McMonagle added, “As both moderators and mentors, we are so proud of each and every one of our Marian Scholars for developing and enhancing their skills and talents in research, design, public speaking, and even a bit of crafting.”

The Marian Scholars Symposium serves as a culmination of the students’ academic journey throughout the year and reflects Immaculata’s commitment to scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and lifelong learning.

You can learn more about our Marian Scholar program at: https://www.immaculatahighschool.org/academics/special_academic_programs/marian_scholars

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