September 2016 News
Plato on Trial
Friday, September 30, 2016
“It has come to our attention that one Aristocles, popularly known as ‘Plato,’ has been teaching at the grove of Akademos in the sanctuary of Athena to the north of the city proper.”
Students at the Indiana Academy have once again been summoned to the turtle in the yard between Burris Laboratory Schools and Ball State University’s Elliot Hall to participate in the Academy’s annual event, The Trial of Plato.
Students grabbed their sheets, ropes, and other ancient accessories then headed down to the yard where they were to be considered citizens of the ancient democratic Athens. Students salvaged around their dorms, friend’s dorms, and various other places to find articles that could create an outfit fit for the Athenian world.
Everyone present became a member of the Assembly where they discussed and debated the political philosophy of Plato.
What’s the issue?
Plato would regularly lead discussions on all sorts of topics that were sought to have no sense of propriety or recognition of the limits of public discussion, especially with young men present at the Academy.
The people of Athens received details of these discussions with regard to the right governing of a city. The magistrates got possession of written transcripts purporting to be Plato’s accounts of his own teacher Socrates’ ideas on this topic; all citizens were then advised to review the public copies of these alleged teachings.
Socrates, though a veteran of the fight against the Persian foe at the battle of Delion and elsewhere, and thus a good patriot, came under suspicion of teaching against the democracy (and worse), was convicted by a jury of his peers, and then chose a draught of hemlock to escape that judgment.
A possibility of Socrates’ ideas not dying with him arose. The fear of these political ideas has caused a necessary meeting and trial of Plato in which the students are engaged.
2016 Graduate Named Davidson Fellow
Friday, September 30, 2016
Justine Izah, a 2016 graduate from the Indiana Academy has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. She is one of 20 students to be awarded this honor and the only one from Indiana
Justine transferred her junior year from La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana. She began attending Indiana University this Fall with 22 transferable credits and hopes to major in sociology and neuroscience with a minor in social work.
Justine is a published author and past president of the Academy’s Third Wave Feminism Club. She has been awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development based on her project, “An Examination of Black Liberation, Stereotypes, Healthcare and Education Through the Eyes of a Black Woman.” She is one of 20 students to be awarded this honor and the only one from Indiana. She has also been awarded the Nagubadi Family Scholarship and the Provost Scholarship from Indiana University.
Justine’s project is an intense study of blackness and the computation of what centuries of oppression has caused. Justine explored the racial disparities facing black people, specifically women, and the inequities they experience in education, health care, and economic status. Inspired by her own experiences, Justine hopes that her research will shed light on the black experience and create empathy in non-black readers.
In addition to her interests in writing and political activism, Justine also enjoys sewing, fitness, and music. She has been involved with Girl Scouts, South Shore Leadership Youth for Community Engagement, National Spanish Honor Society. While at the Academy, she was in the Science Olympiad, Spanish Club, and Third Wave Feminist Club.
United Way Day of Action
Friday, September 30, 2016
Thousands of people in more than 300 communities across the world volunteer through United Way to make their community a better place through Day of Action.
For Delaware County’s Day of Action 2016, there were a total of 197 volunteers who donated 694 hours of their time at 16 different nonprofit sites. Together, they were able to make an economic impact of $15,746.86! The Indiana Academy provided almost 50 of those volunteers, which ended up being the biggest group for the third year in a row!
The students apart of the morning shift started out their day by going to the Horizon Convention Center to enjoy a complimentary breakfast while attending the United Way’s Campaign Kickoff Celebration. From there, they went to the Alpha Center to volunteer. The Alpha Center provides adult day care services in a safe and fun environment for senior citizens who cannot be safely left on their own. This allows their family members and regular caregivers a much needed break for rest, work, errands and other activities. The students assisted with yardwork, pressure washing and painting, plus some even got the opportunity to work one-on-one with senior citizens making birdfeeders.
The next shift of students helped out at the Second Harvest Food Bank. They are a food distribution center that helps individuals and families who are food insecure. There, the students spent their shift sorting food and checking for freshness.
About the United Way of Delaware County
United Way of Delaware County, Indiana engages the community to improve lives by focusing resources on health, education, and financial stability. It also works to create lasting change in community conditions. Learn more at invitedtoliveunited.org.
2017 National Merit Commended Students
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Indiana Academy congratulates the following seniors who have been named Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Program:
Robert Belin
Ellen Hine
Nikita Kumar
Ritika Mehta
Mariah Murray
Michelle Rodriguez
Sophia Schnake
Alexis Skidmore
Van Vandergriff
Free Concert with Indiana Academy Alum Kara Claudy
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Kara Claudy, songwriter, singer, recording artist, and graduate of the Indiana Academy (Class of 2007) will be performing at Pruis Hall on Wednesday, October 5 at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
She will also be doing a meet and greet exclusively for current Indiana Academy students before the concert. More information about Claudy can be found at her website: www.karaclaudy.com.
Academy Alum Part of BSU Delegation to Rio Olympics
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Madeline Grosh ’15 was part of a Ball State University immersive learning project that attended – and covered – the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero. Read all about it here.
Dr. Drew Ramsey ’92 Releases New Book
Monday, September 12, 2016
The latest book by Dr. Drew Ramsey ’92, Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients That Fuel Brainpower, Boost Weight Loss, and Transform Your Health, is available on Amazon.com. More information is also on his website, drewramseymd.com.
Indiana Academy Students Helping At-Risk Readers in Award-Winning Campaign
Monday, September 12, 2016
The single greatest indicator of a child’s success in school and in life is his/her ability to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade. Up to 3rd grade, students are learning to read. After that they are reading to learn. In other words, if they are behind in reading, they are behind in every subject because they can’t read the books and materials. Furthermore, 80% of children living in low-income households are not reading a grade level.
In Delaware County, 47% of households are in poverty or low income. Many of the students in Muncie schools are struggling with the life-changing skill of reading. Thanks to Ball State University and its high-ability high school the Indiana Academy of Sciences, Mathematics and Humanities, more local elementary students are finding success with reading.
Student volunteers from the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities worked with 3rd graders at South View Elementary in March and April to improve their reading abilities. In those two short months, the participating elementary students advanced their reading levels on average by 9 months!
This “reading club” is one of 4 operated by the United Way of Delaware County as part of the Campaign for Grade Level reading, and is the first to utilize student volunteers. “The Indiana Academy students did a fantastic job,” said Jenni Marsh, President and CEO of United Way of Delaware County. “We are planning to expand the program with them to include more students and to run all school year.”
South View principal Kara Miller described the program as an, “incredible addition to helping our students want to read and enjoy reading. The students who attended this club were excited about staying after school, forming bonds with their reading buddies, and learning things from the books they read.”
Indiana Academy student Kiana King, added, “We have wonderful memories of working alongside the children. I am so incredibly proud of our success as a group.”
The outstanding reading progress the South View children made with the Indiana Academy students was reflective of the overall success of the comprehensive set of programs United Way of Delaware County is leading locally. As a result, Delaware County received national recognition as a Pacesetter by being 1 of 15 communities, from over 200 participating, which showed significant improvement in student reading levels.
According to Marsh, this reading program is about more than just helping at-risk kids today. It has the potential to actually reduce the cycle of generational poverty.
2017 National Merit Semifinalists
Friday, September 9, 2016
The Academy congratulates the following seniors who have been named Semifinalists in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Competition:
Kalina Harden
Skyler Kiefer
Hannah Komanapalli
Cassandra Pent
Juliana Qin
Sidra St. Rain