"For her senior thesis in Sociology, Sophia Rose Barakett conducted research on the evolving dynamics within the world of ballet dancers. Specifically, she investigated the tension between how the positive impacts of embracing a more diverse range of body types in balled—a historically exclusive art form—and the perception of this same diversity as a threat to the dancers’ individual positions and the symbolic value of the field. In recognition of her outstanding research, Sophia was awarded the Hoopes Prize, the most prestigious award for undergraduate research given by Harvard College." - Devi Kuscer, OCW