Senior Projects 2026

April 1, 2026

JPCatholic seniors across all majors have been busy developing their capstone projects. Explore some highlights of projects within film, animation, game development, acting, and more. During Graduation Week in August, JPCatholic will host a week of showcase events, including the premiere for many of these at the Ritz Theater in Escondido.

Film Projects

  • Easel

    The Vanishing Man

    Director/Writer: Noah Polito
    Producer: Caleb Schantz

    Easel, a man carrying deep inner pain, encounters his younger self and is taken on a journey through his past. As he revisits key moments from his life, he is challenged to confront and heal the root of his suffering.

  • My Armor

    My Armor

    Director/Writer: Connor Fleming
    Producers: Helen Daoust & Connor Fleming

    A story of April, whose inability to express her grief to her mother leads to a poignant journey of self discovery.

  • No Help Wanted

    No Help Wanted

    Director/Writer: Rose Hynes
    Producers: Caleb Schantz & Skyler Mejia

    Natalie starts a new job to regain custody of her daughter after her divorce. When the place drains the life out of her, she connects unexpectedly with the owner, who convinces her to keep her daughter’s car seat.
    Instagram: @nohelpwantedfilm2026

  • No More Baseball

    No More Baseball

    Director: Justin Maynard
    Writers: Dominic Durant & Alexander Granata
    Producer: Alexander Granata

    A father trying to reconnect with his rebellious 14-year-old son tells the epic and outlandish story of when he saved baseball from being banned in the United States.
    Instagram: @nomorebaseballfilm

  • Wedding Ring

    Wedding Ring

    Director/Writer: Gabriel Ahlquist
    Producers: Skyler Mejia, Philip Neri Morris, Noah Polito & Cormac Tully

    “Wedding Ring” is about a man being paid to throw fights in an underground boxing arena so that he can pay for his girlfriend's engagement ring.

Acting Practicums

  • Breaking Pointe

    Breaking Pointe

    Short Film

    Lead Actress: Louisa McCarthy

    A ballerina who's overworking herself into the ground reconnects with her childhood love for dance.

  • Every Brilliant Thing

    Every Brilliant Thing

    Theatre Production

    Lead Actor: David Thomas

    This one-man show by Duncan Macmillan is about a boy who creates a list of everything that he finds brilliant to give to his mother who suffers from depression.

  • Mary’s Wedding

    Mary’s Wedding

    Theatre Production

    Lead Actress: Lisa Ruiter

    Set within a dream on the eve of her wedding, Mary revisits her love for Charlie, a soldier bound for war, blurring the line between past, present, and what might have been. Written by Stephen Massicotte.
    Performance Dates TBA

  • Passenger Side

    Passenger Side

    Short Film

    Lead Actress: Emily Alber

    Surrounded by grief and guilt, a teenage girl is seemingly faced with an impossible decision: fighting for her family or the freedom she so desperately longs for.

  • Sincerely, Stacy

    Sincerely, Stacy

    Short Film

    Lead Actress: Darla Lopez

    An aspiring writer who mercilessly critiques bad romance novels is pushed to find her own voice by her most trusted friend, a talking teddy bear.
    Instagram: @sincerely_stacy_practicum

Additional Capstones

Several Animation projects are currently in development, including a 2D animated short by Aaron Cantu inspired by the Road to Emmaus story. Angelica Berendsen is creating a 3D cinematic animation within the theme of spiritual warfare, and Maggie Wagner is working on an animated short that will bring to life one of her earlier animatics.

The Game Development seniors are collaborating on a top/down isometric adventure game similar to Tunic or Hades where players explore fantasy environments and fight creatures with magic spells and skill based combat. The working title is Carby and the Magic Fountains.

Mary Leskowicz will be releasing an E.P. titled Dear Someone this summer, accompanied by a live performance of her songs.

Creative Writing students under the mentorship of Prof. Jauregui Eccles are currently developing their capstone novels (more details will be posted soon).

Note: This list is not comprehensive. Want to see your capstone project added? Submit it here.