Independent Study Expo spotlights student passions
High School students showcased their academic work through USN’s Independent Study Program during an expo held in Durnan Auditorium.
By Ian Dinkins, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Durnan Auditorium came alive last week as juniors and seniors transformed the space into a gallery of scholarship, creativity, and personal passion. The occasion? The 2025 Independent Study Expo — a showcase of yearlong, student-driven projects that reached beyond the standard curriculum to explore the deeper questions and interests of University School of Nashville’s most curious minds.
“I’ve always had an interest in this and am studying art in college,” Parrella shared. “It started off as just making my portfolio and turned into a more in-depth study.”
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Durnan Auditorium came alive last week as juniors and seniors transformed the space into a gallery of scholarship, creativity, and personal passion. The occasion? The 2025 Independent Study Expo — a showcase of yearlong, student-driven projects that reached beyond the standard curriculum to explore the deeper questions and interests of University School of Nashville’s most curious minds.
This year’s expo built on the momentum from last year’s inaugural event, which was spearheaded by the McMullan Scholars and established what is now becoming a proud tradition at USN.
The Independent Study Program allows highly motivated juniors and seniors to design their own course of study with the guidance of a faculty sponsor, diving into subjects not typically covered in the classroom.
Alena Ellis ’25 explored makeup artistry, combining technique, history, and self-expression in a study that was as visual as it was personal.
“I was always into makeup from a young age after doing dance,” Ellis said. “Seeing it in movies and other art increased that interest.”
Her presentation blended mood boards, makeup samples, and a series of conceptual looks, showing both the creativity and the technical precision involved in the craft.
Jade Parrella ’25 immersed herself in the world of printmaking, using the opportunity to deepen her artistic practice and prepare for future studies. Her display included original prints alongside process documentation, revealing the evolution of her style and techniques.“I’ve always had an interest in this and am studying art in college,” Parrella shared. “It started off as just making my portfolio and turned into a more in-depth study.”
Donald “Cinc” Cox ’26 and Paulo Saoud ’26 took a historical and cultural approach, diving into the history of Catholic art.
With a background rooted in the Church, Cox said their project offered new insights into a familiar world.
“I grew up in the Catholic Church, so it was cool to learn about the history and backstory,” he said. “Now I can go to different art museums around the world and already know what part of the world the art is from.”
The project combined historical research with visual analysis, tracing themes and symbols from early Christian mosaics to Renaissance masterpieces.
Whether exploring the visual arts or cultural history, each student’s project reflected not only academic rigor but a genuine sense of discovery. Like it did last year, the Independent Study Expo celebrated student initiative, intellectual risk-taking, and the kind of learning that happens when curiosity leads the way.
With another successful year behind it, the Independent Study Program is solidifying its role as a core opportunity for students to take charge of their education. Judging by the depth and diversity of this year’s projects, the future of independent study at USN looks brighter than ever.
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Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.