December 2022 News

Life Science Teaching Position Available

Thursday, December 22, 2022

The Indiana Academy currently has an opening for Assistant Lecturer of Life Science. Details about the position can be found at the link below.

Assistant Lecturer of Life Science


Indiana Academy QuestBridge Scholars

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

On Friday, December 2, exceptional high school students from across the nation celebrated “National College Match Day” as part of the QuestBridge Scholars process. The National College Match is a college admission and scholarship process through which high-achieving students can be admitted early with full four-year scholarships to QuestBridge college partners. College partners at QuestBridge include some of the most selective institutions of higher education around the world, including schools such as Brown University, Dartmouth College, Stanford University, and others.

Three Academy seniors took part in these celebrations. Congratulations to Karisten Poole (University of Chicago), Jaehun Kim (Washington & Lee University), and Timothy Hill (Northwestern University) on their respective matches! According to Dr. Olufowote, Director of Academic Affairs at the Academy, “Being matched at a QuestBridge partner institution is a clear recognition of the hard work and effort each of these students put into their time at the Academy. QuestBridge partners are world renowned institutions of higher education that espouse parallel ideals and values of intellectual curiosity and academic excellence, similar to the mission of the Academy. We are all very proud of these students’ accomplishments and humbled to have them represent the Indiana Academy at the next level.”


IA Spell Bowl Results!

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Congratulations to the Indiana Academy Spell Bowl team!

Tuesday, November 1, at Hamilton Southeastern in Fishers, the team of seven students competed against Carmel, Fishers, New Castle, Hamilton Southeastern, and Yorktown. As the Academy did not have a full team of 10, the team could only progress so far in the team competition and cannot compete in the State Finals, as it is understood it right now. Coach David Haynes said, “If we had had 10 students, I am fairly sure we would not only be in the State Finals, but the favorites, as 4 out of 7 of our students had perfect rounds. Consider joining the Spell Bowl team next year!”

The team, which did an extraordinary job, consisted of Carson Gull, Kennedy Horner, Sydney McFarren, Alyesa Rathinasamy, Elizabeth Rayl, Jonathan Slater, and Rachel Watson. Alesya, Jonathan, Ellizabeth, and Kennedy all received perfect sources in their rounds and will have the opportunity moving forward to compete individually.

Mr. Haynes said, “I was incredibly proud of how this team comported itself and competed. Let them know the students are appreciated if you happen to see them soon.”


Academy Instructor Premieres New Play

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Mr. John Marsh, Lecturer of Social Studies and award-winning playwright, has a new play being produced this month at Muncie Civic Theater. Cat’s Pajamas is a screwball comedy set in the Roaring Twenties, with a ghostly, mystery vibe, and should be fun for the whole family. As a newly developed work, the director will introduce the concept of a staged reading before the show, and then invite feedback from the audience after the performance.

Mr. Marsh co-wrote the play with his wife, Jenni. Their previous play won the McLaren Comedy Playwriting Festival and was produced in Midland, Texas, but the Marshes say they wanted to start at home with this one.

There will be evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on October 21, 22, 28, & 29, plus a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday October 30. If you are interested in tickets, here is the link:

Purchase Tickets


Academy Student Nominated as Max Preps Athlete of the Week

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Sarah Edmonds, an Indiana Academy junior on the Burris Lady Owls soccer team, was nominated for the Max Preps Indiana High School Athlete of the Week! You can vote for her now here:

Max Preps Athlete of the Week Voting

Voting closes Monday, October 3 at noon.


Academy Seniors Named National Merit Commended Students

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Eight Academy students have been named Commended Students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”

Congratulations to Lila Beghtel, Elijah Buck, Diana Dodds, Ella Heil, Jaehun Kim, Daryle Riegle, Melissa Riegle, and Jonathan Slater!


Congratulations to the Indiana Academy’s National Merit Semifinalists!

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual competition for recognition and scholarships that is open to all U.S. high school students that meet entry requirements. Semifinalists named in each year’s Merit Scholarship competition show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The 16,000 semifinalists are the highest-scoring entrants in each state and represent less than 1% of each state’s high school seniors.

We are happy to announce that the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities will be celebrating four of our very own as 2023 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists! Congratulations to Charles Behrman, Henry Cooper, Lauren Couch, and Karisten Poole for being named semifinalists. We are so proud of these four students and the many others that choose to explore the Academy by being curious, eager to investigate, willing to be challenged, and poised to persist.

Bravo, well done, and hearty congratulations to Charles, Henry, Lauren, and Karisten.


Norton Among Top 25 Teachers in Indiana

Thursday, August 18, 2022

This summer, the Indiana Academy nominated Academy Lecturer of Chemistry ChristyAnn Norton for the 2023 Indiana Teacher of the Year Award. On August 18, she was recognized as a top 25 finalist. Congratulations!


Academic Super Bowl Results

Monday, May 9, 2022

Saturday, May 7, the Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) held the state championship for Academic Super Bowl. The Indiana Academy had teams qualify for the state competition in Mathematics, English, Science, Fine Arts, and Interdisciplinary.

The Mathematics team took first place. English took second place, with the second tie-breaker separating them from first place. Science took third place, with the third tie-breaker separating them from second place. Fine Arts took fourth place, with the first tie-breaker separating them from third place. The Interdisciplinary (ID) team took 1st place.

Students attending this competition were Llla Beghtel (English, Fine Arts, and ID), Bryn Deibel (Math Captain, Science, and ID), Emily Denny (English), Uma Kandallu (English Captain and ID), Gunvanth Kandula (Science Captain and ID), Adrienne McKay (Fine Arts), Tyler Robertson (Fine Arts Captain, Math, and ID), Neharika Upadhyay (Science and ID), Rachel Watson (English and Fine Arts), and Justin Xia (ID Captain, Math, and Science).

Other students involved in Academic Super Bowl this year include Elijah Buck, Joseph Ciceu, Jaehun Kim, Tristan Morris, Jarett Rusznak, Jonathan Slater, Ezekiel Ulrich, Olivia Walker, and Yifei Wang.

Congratulations to coach Ms. Jessica Edrington and her teams, and special thanks to Mr. Steve Schuh for helping to drive the students to Purdue and back!


Academy Senior Named Purdue Beering Scholar

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Indiana Academy senior Autumn Reynolds has been awarded a Steven C. Beering Scholarship, which covers the full educational expenses for a bachelor’s degree, one master’s degree, and either a Ph.D. or professional degree in medicine, veterinary medicine or pharmacy at Purdue University, as well as funding for a study abroad experience. Autumn is from Michigan City, Indiana, and will also be a member of the Purdue Honors College, where she plans to study Public Health.

Scholarship recipients are selected through an invitation-only process once they are admitted to Purdue. A committee reviews applications and determines the recipients based on high school credentials and leadership skills. The program was created by Purdue’s ninth president, Dr. Steven C. Beering, who raised private funds for the endowment.

Congratulations Autumn!