Berkeley Carroll recently welcomed back alum Lauren Anatol ’21 as a guest speaker for Upper School Media Literacy classes, offering students a look at how the skills they are developing in the classroom can extend into college-level research and beyond.

A Graduate of Connecticut College, Lauren presented highlights from her undergraduate thesis examining racial representation in superhero media. Her talk explored how superheroes, some of the most influential figures in modern pop culture, reflect broader cultural narratives and how representation within these stories shapes audiences’ perceptions of identity, power, and belonging.

Students engaged enthusiastically with the presentation, asking thoughtful questions and discussing the ways media literacy can help audiences critically evaluate the stories they consume. The conversation continued during a lively Q&A session, with even Head of School Dr. Waller joining students in asking questions.

At Connecticut College, Lauren is part of a specialized media lab program where her academic achievements have earned her one of the institution’s highest honors: selection as a 2025 Langer Scholar. The distinction recognizes exceptional academic accomplishment and also makes recipients the first members of their graduating class chosen for Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society of undergraduate higher education.

For BC students, Lauren’s visit carried an extra layer of meaning. She first took Media Literacy during her own time at Berkeley Carroll, making her return a powerful example of how the analytical tools learned in high school can grow into advanced scholarship.

We are grateful to Lauren for sharing her work, her insights, and her journey with our community, and for inspiring the next generation of critical media thinkers.

View the full photo gallery to see highlights from her visit.