TOWSON, Md. – Junior Kaitlin Thornton of the Towson University women's lacrosse team was recently selected as a finalist for the Regional Phi Alpha Theta Conference writing competition.
 
Thornton was among six Towson students selected as finalists to present their papers at the Regional Mid-Atlantic Phi Alpha Theta Conference, which was scheduled to take place on March 28. Her paper, titled "The Decision, Effects and Outcomes of Dropping the Atomic Bomb," earned her placement in the final group to represent TU.
 
"When I first learned that my paper was accepted into the contest I was ecstatic," Thornton said. "It is an honor to even have my paper considered for entry by my professor. Then, to learn I had advanced to the final round was the icing on the cake. I am very grateful to all my professors and advisors for helping me, and always pushing me academically to challenge myself."
 
Professor Nicole Dombrowski Risser is a professor in Towson's history department. She is the advisor of Phi Alpha Theta history student honor society and has been the Faculty Fellow to the women's lacrosse team since 2015.
 
"Kailtin Thornton is not only a stunning attack man on the field," she said. "She earns the hat trick for excellent writing, great research and of course goal-scoring. Kaitlin came to my attention in my advanced history writing and research seminar. Our theme for the semester was World War II. Kaitlin produced a well-researched paper."
 
According to Professor Dombrowski Risser, Thornton utilized sources such as the memoirs of President Harry Truman, documents published by the Atomic Energy Heritage Commission and survivor stories of the Japanese bombing.
 
"Through these sources she pieced together a convincing story about the U.S. government's goals for the atomic bomb project with regard to ending the war," Dombrowski Risser said. "The unique and original aspect of her work was to include the accounts of survivors, balancing the idea of a desired goal with a horrendous impact. It was with great regret that the conference organizers had to cancel the competition. They are still weighing a decision to judge the papers, like Kaitlin's, which had been forwarded to the regional conference."