Saint’s “Mindful” Manuscript Gets Published

Two years studying peer-reviewed scholarly works in Dr. Pádraig “Podge” Lawlor’s AP History classes prompted David Kim ’25 to consider how he could make an equally profound contribution to academia. The result? His manuscript, “Analysis of Effective Mindfulness Training in East Asian Dominant Sports: A Comparative Study,” was published in Volume 12 Issue 4 of the Journal of Student Research!

“I always encourage students to follow their passion, and this was certainly a passion project for David. The topic is meaningful to him beyond academics,” said Podge, Canterbury’s History and Social Sciences Department Chair. “David is a model student. He is a skilled, diligent, and self-motivated young person who always welcomes feedback and critique.”

There was plenty of both as Podge encouraged David to engage with primary sources, develop unique insights, and contribute meaningfully to the field—all of which helped instill confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment in David.

“My role was reminding David why scholarship matters and how fruitful the journey can be,” Podge said. “I provided him with mentorship and guidance on the publishing experience that all writers face.” That teacher-student interaction certainly paid off for David. After months of hard work and perseverance, his article was selected for inclusion in a renowned faculty-reviewed academic journal that provides a global platform for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to showcase their work. 

David’s paper explores the emergence of mindfulness training as a potent tool for augmenting sports performance, particularly in East Asian-dominant sports like table tennis, archery, and martial arts. In the study, he demonstrates how the adoption of such practices has translated into notable score improvements and higher medal tallies in these sports.

“Integrating mindfulness practices into sports is interesting to me because I play multiple sports,” David said. “I have seen athletes use meditation to get ‘in the zone’ and concentrate better during games, so I researched that and started writing.” 

His history classes with Podge were major motivations in crafting his manuscript. “History is fascinating to me, and Dr. Lawlor’s classes were my favorite,” David shared. “I learned about East Asian religions last year in his AP World History class, and that played a role in the content of my paper. Many mindfulness practices originated from those religions and that region.”

For his part, Podge is excited about what this accomplishment can do for David going forward. “Engaging in academic writing cultivates critical thinking skills, encouraging young people to analyze information, formulate arguments, and present evidence-based conclusions,” Podge said. “Further, publishing academic work this early can enhance opportunities for networking, collaboration, and recognition, laying a solid foundation for future academic and professional success. Given that David is on the cusp of applying for college, what better time to begin than now?”

Congratulations, David, for this tremendous academic achievement!