Allison Keeney

Grammar Instruction in High School

In many of today’s high schools, grammar instruction is not a part of the English Language Arts curriculum. Much of the focus is placed on expanding reading and writing skills in preparation for college, rather than readdressing or expanding grammar skills. The main reason for this focus is that school authorities believe that most students should have learned about grammar while in elementary school or possibly middle school. Regardless of what the previous model of the public education system looks like, is grammar instruction at the high school level conducive for high school and college success? If it is, then there should be no question on whether it should be implemented at the high school level or not. If it is not, then we may keep to our old ways. This question can be answered by looking at what research says about grammar instruction and adolescent learning, some case studies, two grammar instruction surveys, and a few interviews with students and teachers.

Honors Thesis

James Watson

P103

10 AM – Noon

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Allison Keeney

Musical Influences in Middle Earth

When J.R.R. Tolkien created Middle Earth in his book The Hobbit, he was influenced by previous literary, musical works. Tolkien was a scholar of the epic Beowulf and used this tale to influence his famous story. He was also influenced by The Song of Nibelungs and other Norse and Germanic sagas. When Tolkien was a young man, before he started writing The Hobbit, Richard Wagner and his opera, The Ring of Nibelung, was very popular in Europe. There are many similarities between Wagner and Tolkien’s works, but Tolkien claims that “both rings were round, and there the resemblance ceases.” This presentation will be exploring the musical influences that Tolkien drew from to create his stories in Middle Earth, as well as look at the similarities between Wagner’s opera and Tolkien’s books.

MUS 321, Survey of Music History

Lynn Kane

Banquet Room, Poster #5

1 – 3 PM

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Allison Keeney

Maundy Thursday: A New Commandment of Love

The season of Lent ends with the Triduum, a period of three days that represent the journey Jesus took into his crucifixion and resurrection.  These three days include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.  Most church populations know what Good Friday and Easter Sunday are, but in today’s churches most of the population does not know what Maundy Thursday is.  Maundy Thursday is a day for us to remember the new commandment of love that Jesus gave to his disciples as he washed their feet in John 13, and therefore a new commandment of love that he gives to each of us.  How can we take this new commandment of love and represent it in our daily walk with God?

MUS 375, History of Worship in the Church

Karen De Young

Banquet Room, poster #7

10 AM – Noon

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JaNae Haggard, Alleya Harris, Allison Keeney

Dankook International Summer School

Every summer NCU partners with Dankook University in Jukejon South Korea to offer students a two month long international study experience. Three NCU students participated this past summer and each will present one view of their own experience. Allison Keeney will describe the English teaching experience, Alleya Harris will present some of the paid cultural activities available through the program, and JaNae Haggard will enlighten us with the things she has learned through the experience. There will be at least 10 minutes at the end to ask the presenters questions.

GLST 295 Study Abroad

Lauren Riley

PFB 003

1:00 – 1:30 PM

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Allison Keeney

Religion in School

When it comes to spending time in our public school system, either as a student or as a teacher, what is lawful when it comes to religion?  As our educational system has progressed over the years to where it is now, there have been many issues that have created court cases to help us explore and understand the laws pertaining to religion in schos.  In order to explore and understand these laws for both teachers and students, we will be looking at the First Amendment, several court cases, and the observation of religious holidays.

EDUC 380 School Law

Johnny Lake

PFB 003

10:30 – 11:00 AM

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Allison Keeney

Standing Strong

Even in times of tremendous trial, those throughout the Bible were able to stand strong in who they were and in who they knew God was. Jesus is the ultimate example of this, as He faced crucifixion and death, and He spent the time He had before this trial praying to His Father. Other examples of standing strong are Stephen (Acts 7), who was full of the Holy Spirit, Peter (Acts 12), who had the entire church body in constant prayer, and Paul and Silas (Acts 16), who spent their time in prison praying and singing. Standing strong in times of trial takes strength, but in the end, there is always an amazing outcome and reward for continuing in God’s plan. 

BTH 102, Engaging with the Bible

Terry O’Casey

Banquet Room

1:00 – 3:00 PM

Allison Keeney

God’s Promises

God has given a promise to each and every person, whether in His word or specifically tailored to us individually. According to I John, God is love and God is good, therefore His promises are good and full of love as He is incapable of operating in anything other than love. We know that God’s promises are for us and not against us, as it states in Romans 8:31 that God, Himself, is for us and not against us. Throughout the word, we are shown time after time of God’s faithfulness and the faithfulness of His promises. God’s promises that He has given to each and every person are good, for us, and faithful. The deciding factor in whether we step into these promises is us. How do I talk about God’s promises, what are the words that I let out of my mouth?

BTH 101 Engaging with the Bible: How to Read the Bible in the 21st Century

Terry O’Casey

Banquet Room

1 – 3 PM