Jodi Beckworth
In a new community partnership, Seventh-day Adventist seniors from Fletcher Academy, a self-supporting K-12 school in Fletcher, N.C., collaborated with local Henderson County organizations to strengthen their public speaking and presentation skills. As part of a semester-long course, Experimental Research and Communication, students learned research terminology, designed and conducted experimental studies, analyzed their findings, and presented results through professional slide presentations. Two seniors, Alex Arany and Mdiel Mercurio, recently presented their research at a meeting of the Hendersonville Toastmasters Club.
Arany’s study examined differences in mental health outcomes between dormitory students and village (day) students. A four-year Fletcher Academy student, Arany has served as a school lifeguard and cafeteria worker, and enjoys outdoor activities. Having been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, he viewed the presentation as an opportunity to further develop his public speaking skills, while also advocating for individuals facing mental health challenges. His presentation resonated with audience members, many of whom approached him afterward to express appreciation and continue the conversation.
Mercurio joined Fletcher Academy during the 2025-2026 school year. Originally from the Philippines, she speaks Hiligaynon and studied English extensively before coming to the United States. Mercurio enjoys traveling, baking, and singing, which led her to participate in the school’s select choir and touring group, 11th Hour. Inspired by several close friendships she maintains overseas, she investigated the role of integrity in sustaining long-term friendships compared with shorter-term relationships. Her presentation highlighted the importance of trust and character in developing meaningful, lasting connections.
The inaugural Experimental Research and Communication course provided students with opportunities to design studies using control and experimental groups, collect and analyze data, and create graphs and tables to interpret statistical significance. Many students expressed a desire to have taken the course earlier so they could continue expanding their projects. Collaborating with community members and presenting findings to a public audience added real-world application to the research experience, and served as a meaningful capstone to their senior year.
Southern Adventist University | September 2026
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