Trinity Valley Community College celebrated student innovation and academic excellence on Friday, April 25 during the Spring 2025 Learning Symposium, held at the Athens campus library.

The event featured a dynamic lineup of table and classroom presentations where students presented their research projects, scientific experiments, and creative works developed under the mentorship of TVCC faculty. Topics ranged from the Chemistry of Cosmetology to The Effects of Organic and Inorganic Soil on Invasive Species, offering attendees a glimpse into the wide range of scholarly pursuits taking place across TVCC systems.

During the table sessions, students like Danyelle Nelson and Kate McGrath explored Hair and Scalp Disorders and Diseases, while others, including Jonah Armstrong, presented intricate Anatomical Figure Drawings. Faculty mentors such as Valerie Holmes, September Kirk, and Brie Day provided guidance and support throughout the research process.

The classroom presentations included group research projects and independent studies. Notable presentations included Mirror-Image Reinforcement with Male Betta Splendens by Reya Toler, Tenaliie Davis, Combrinthian Morgan, and Tyson Moore, and Phones: A Bacterial Hotspot We Overlook by Jheanelle Brydson.

After the presentations, judges Michael Hannigan, Jack Duffie, and Alicea Elliott chose winners for multiple categories including Most Creative, Research Excellence, Impact, and more.

The winners were:

• Impact Award ($500): Jheanelle Brydson and her mentor Mary Van Cleave for the presentation Phones: A Bacterial Hotspot We Overlook
• Creativity Award ($500): Danyelle Nelson and Kate McGrath for their presentation Hair and Scalp Disorders and Diseases
• Research Award ($500): Amaya Mayfield, Alannah Miranda, and Angel McNeal with their mentor Brie Day for their presentation Survival of the Smallest: The Effects of Varying Turbidity on Competition between Paramecium
• People’s Choice Award ($250): Daniil Tikhonov and Delana Rosberg with their mentor Sheree Daniel-Huddleston
• Table Presentation Honorable Mention ($125): Abbie Stokes and her mentor September Kirk for the table presentation Printed Word Takes Flight
• Classroom Presentation Honorable Mention ($125): Scott Peebles and his mentor Jennifer Hannigan for the presentation Rebuilding the Ivory Tower

“Thank you to all the students and mentors who took the time to research and work on these incredible presentations,” said Learning Symposium Committee member and Philosophy & Economics Instructor Matt Cleaver. “We are truly impressed by the talent on display. A special thanks to our judges and to the Henderson County Bar Association and Richards Law for their support of the symposium.”