Maddie Posten '26: A Personal Approach to History and Research
April 7, 2026
In her final year at ESD, Maddie Posten ’26 has taken her academic interests beyond the classroom through independent research spanning both history and data analysis.
Her work began in AP U.S. History during her junior year, where students were tasked with interviewing a family member and developing a research topic rooted in American history. Maddie chose to speak with her grandfather, whose extensive knowledge of their family’s past helped shape the direction of her project.
From that conversation, she began researching the history of Jewish migration to New York, focusing on how economic conditions influenced the movement of Jewish families from Eastern Europe to the United States. The topic held personal significance, as Maddie’s own family history in the U.S. traces back to New York before her immediate family eventually settled in Texas.
As she worked through primary and secondary sources, one experience stood out. While exploring immigrant records through the National Archives, Maddie discovered a collection of audio interviews with Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.
Actually listening to people's stories was really moving and excited me as I continued my work for this paper,” she shared.
She was also able to incorporate personal artifacts into her work, including Ellis Island records, census documents, draft registrations, and family photographs. One image in particular—her great-great-grandfather and his brothers shortly after arriving in New York—added a deeper level of connection to her work.
“This was very cool for me because I felt like I was writing my family's story, rather than just researching any topic.”
Building on this foundation, Maddie expanded her academic work even further through a second, independent research project that explores the intersection of art and data science. Over the course of three months, she researched and wrote a paper on art price valuation using machine learning models. Her work included developing linear regression models and a neural network to estimate the value of fine art based on a range of variables, as well as conducting interviews with professionals in the art world.
Her paper has since been submitted for publication, marking an important milestone in her research journey.
Across both projects, Maddie has demonstrated a willingness to explore complex ideas, connect disciplines, and pursue questions that extend beyond a single classroom. She hopes to continue this work at the collegiate level, with plans to study mathematics, economics, and Jewish studies.
Maddie’s work reflects the depth of inquiry encouraged at The Episcopal School of Dallas, where students are supported in pursuing meaningful research, engaging with primary sources, and connecting academic interests to real-world applications.
