February 2021 News

Indiana Academy Spring Break Update

Friday, February 26, 2021

Dear Indiana Academy Students and Families:

Ball State University is not having a spring break this year, but both the Indiana Academy and Burris will have a spring break. Academy students living on campus will move out of the residence hall on Friday, March 5, and return to the residence hall on Sunday, March 14. Additional information on moving out is forthcoming from Paul Douglas, Director of Residential and Student Affairs.

The following requirements must be met before students can return to the residence hall on March 14.

  1. All students returning to campus, including non-residential students, must complete a COVID-19 self-certification form. This form will be similar to the one students completed before moving into the residence hall in August. Instructions for this will be sent next week.
  2. Students who travel outside of Indiana during spring break must submit a COVID-19 test before returning to the residence hall. Instructions on submitting a COVID-19 test will be sent next week.

Additional quarantine restrictions are in place for students who travel out of the country during spring break. If you are traveling outside of the U.S., please contact me (see contact information in signature) ASAP to discuss these restrictions.

Students who remain in Indiana may get a COVID-19 test before returning to the Academy, but this is not a requirement.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.

Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126


Academy Swimmer Headed to State Finals

Monday, February 22, 2021

See more pictures and a complete story at the Star Press.

Academy junior Justin Xia has qualified for his second straight state final in swimming, after breaking the Burris school record in the 100-yard butterfly, set by former Olympian Larry Schulhof in 1961. Justin spoke with Mr. Schulhof before Saturday’s Jay County sectional, and Mr. Schulhof told Justin that he wanted him to break his record of 54.7 seconds.

Justin swam the 100 in a new Burris-record time of 54.55 seconds, finishing third in the event. He then won the sectional championship in the 100 breaststroke, with a new sectional, school and pool record time of 58.60 seconds.

The State Final preliminary rounds will be Friday, February 26, at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, and the championships will be Saturday, February 27.


2021 Presidential Scholars

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Congratulations to Zahra Nasir and Shivali Singireddy, who have been named candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars.


2021 National Merit Finalists

Thursday, February 11, 2021

All seven of the seniors who were named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship competition in September have advanced to Finalist standing.

Congratulations to Keeran Abraham, Bryce Berger, Etoile Boots, Duncan Hollandbeck, Zahra Nasir, Robert Sammelson, and Shivali Singireddy!