how to engage directly with customers, present products effectively, and close deals with confidence. The role pushed me to develop persuasive communication techniques, adaptability, and resilience under pressure, skills that are essential in any business environment. Working long hours and managing client relationships taught me time management, goal setting, and problem-solving. Through consistent effort and by applying proven sales strategies, I was able to generate over $15,000 in personal earnings, demonstrating my ability to perform in a highly competitive market. Beyond the financial achievement, the internship strengthened my leadership, teamwork, and emotional intelligence, helping me understand how to build trust and motivate others. This experience transformed my approach to business and prepared me for future opportunities in marketing and management by showing me what it takes to succeed in a real-world, results-driven environment. Sophie Cott - “I Want To Go Home” (Session 15) My digital piece is a rendering of a shaded home with a translucent baby deer sitting in the front lawn. It’s written across the bottom, “I don’t know when I can see you again, but I miss you.” The colors hint at a beautiful sunset, which contrasts well with the deer, which has a light blue shine to it. Kayla Cowell - “What is Whooping Cough Disease?” (Poster Session I) Whooping Cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. First described in the 16th century and isolated in 1906 by Jules Bordet and Octave Gengou, whooping cough spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Humans are the only known reservoir. The incubation period ranges roughly from 7-10 days. The early symptoms resemble a common cold, but progress to severe coughing fits followed by a “whooping” sound, hence the name, during inhalation. Complications can include pneumonia, seizures, and brain damage, particularly in infants. Mortality rates are highest among children under the age of one year old; globally, pertussis causes about 160,000 deaths annually. Both natural infection and vaccination confer immunity, though it wanes over time. Treatments include macrolide antibiotics and supportive care. Widespread Vaccination, like DTaP and TDaP, has reduced incidence, but outbreaks still persist due to incomplete immunization and the waning community. Sydnei Cummings - “America From the Eyes of a Pimped Butterfly” (Session 14) This project will explore Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly as a lyrical and narrative reflection of the Black experience in modern America. Through a close reading of the album’s songs, the analysis will examine how Lamar constructs a poetic dialogue about identity, systemic oppression, and personal transformation. Songs such as “Wesley’s Theory,” “Alright,” “The Blacker the Berry,” and “Mortal Man” reveal a journey from exploitation to empowerment, mirroring both personal and collective struggles within the African American experience. The title, “America from the Eyes of a Pimped Butterfly,” reflects the central tension of the project: the struggle between beauty and exploitation, and the artist’s attempt to reclaim self-worth in a society that commodifies Black expression. By analyzing Lamar’s use of metaphor, narrative structure, and cultural symbolism, this project aims to uncover how his lyrics operate as both a public conversation and a personal confession of what
really happens when you try to pimp a butterfly. Logan Cunningham - “Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Darters (Percidae) in the Salt Fork Creek, Saline Co., MO” (Session 12) Streams and rivers of eastern North America are home to many species of fish from the family Percidae. The Salt Fork Creek in Saline Co. serves as habitat for at least five species of darter. Fish were sampled at three sites along the Salt Fork Creek via electroshocking. Fish were identified, and standard measurements were taken. Fish were then released unharmed at the point of capture. Current data were compared to data collected from previous sampling efforts. Comparing data spatially and temporally can help us identify any trends of population declines of darters or changes in overall stream health of the Salt Fork Creek. Matheus Curi - see Jules Garret, “Game Day Behind the Scene” (Session 17) Kalyani Das - “Community Diversity Assessment of Minnows (Cyprinidae) in the Salt Fort Creek, Saline County, MO” (Session 12) The community structure of minnows in the Salt Fork Creek was assessed to better understand how their populations influence the larger fish community. Fish were sampled at three sites along the Salt Fork Creek in the Fall of 2025. A community diversity index was calculated for each study site, along with species richness and evenness. Minnows play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems as both prey and competitors. They serve as a primary food source for many larger predatory fish, birds, and other wildlife, forming a crucial link in the food web. In addition, minnows contribute to nutrient cycling by feeding on algae, detritus, and small invertebrates, which helps maintain water quality and ecological balance. Carlota Davila - see Meghan Ansani, “Interactive Session: Poverty and Economic Insecurity” Carlota Davila - see Benjamin McMeekin, “Climate Change and the Economic Impact of Flooding” (Session 22) Nelius de Jager - “Poetry as Reflection: Translating Life into Language” (Session 16) This poetry presentation showcases the creative process that I have gone through over the course of my Creative Writing class this semester. Through these works, I have realized the significance of how rhythm, language, and imagery could be used to portray personal reflections, moments of clarity, as well as emotional tension. Each one of my poems that I will be presenting encompasses the way how human connection, faith, and various ideas of growth connect personal experiences to broader human themes. Whilst presenting these poems, I aim to offer insight into how poetry can serve as both an individual form of exploration and an artistic expression. This session will include my presentation of these poems I have written throughout the course of my class, and also some details into the why behind each poem. Most of the time, poetry speaks for itself, but I feel this presentation is a necessity to give insight to the words, rhythms, and choice of connections to my personal experiences.
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