February 2023 News
Five Seniors Celebrated as National Merit Finalists
Monday, February 13, 2023
The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities celebrates seniors and former National Merit Semi-Finalists Karisten Poole, Charles Behrman, Henry Cooper, Paul Huynh, and Lauren Couch for being named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. “This academic year alone, we’ve had thirteen of our senior students recognized by the National Merit Scholars Program and our community is ecstatic to see these five students progress in their journey.” With this good news, Dr. Olufowote, Director of Academic Affairs continues, “I celebrate the continued grit and resilience of our student body to persist and thrive in competitive environments, am reminded of the tremendous faculty we recruit to cultivate curiosity and challenge in the classroom, and remain inspired by the Academy mission of educational equity and access.”
Senior Sadie Berg Named Whitinger Scholar
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Academy senior Sadie Berg has been named a Ball State University Whitinger Scholar for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Whitinger Scholarship is the signature scholarship of the Honors College and the most prestigious scholarship awarded by Ball State. It supplements Ball State’s Presidential Scholarship to provide full tuition and required fees plus on-campus room and board. Eight new Honors College students are selected to receive the award each year based on their academic ability, character, creativity, and potential for leadership.
Congratulations Sadie!
Ethics Bowl Team Runners-Up
Monday, February 6, 2023
Saturday, February 4, the Indiana Academy Ethics bowl team, consisting of seniors Kayra Karamanli and Kody Coyne and junior Aidan Tomlin, competed in the Indiana Regional Ethics Bowl competition at DePauw University in Greencastle. Mr. Josh Ruark and Dr. Dain Kavars took them down for what was a very long, but very rewarding day. The team left about 5:45 a.m. and returned around 10 p.m. The students had never participated in Ethics Bowl before and were competing against teams who had students with 2-3 years of experience. The students and sponsors weren’t sure what to expect but the team did a phenomenal job.
The competition consisted of 16 teams that competed in 3 rounds in the morning. The Academy was 2-1 in the morning rounds, and that was good enough to advance them into the top 8 for knockout rounds in the afternoon. They won their quarterfinal match and then faced Herron High School in the semifinals. This was the 9th year of the high school Ethics Bowl competition and Herron was the Indiana winner in 6 of the 8 years, including last year. Herron beat us in the morning rounds, but the Academy had an amazing semi-final round to knock out Herron. They faced off against Culver Academy in the final, whom they beat in a very close match in the morning rounds. Both teams did phenomenally in the final round. The judges’ decision was split 2-1, but Culver came out just on top.
Congratulations to Kayra, Kody, and Aidan on their hard work and great accomplishment. This team was formed after most teams had been practicing for 2-3 months. They walked in very inexperienced but surprised many schools with their performance.
Academy Quiz Bowl Team Qualifies for State and National Tournaments
Monday, January 30, 2023
On January 21, the Academy Quiz Bowl team participated in the IASP Regional Quiz Bowl tournament. Members of the team that competed that day were Xavier Alarie (captain), Lila Beghtel, Carson Gull, Caleb Martin, and Joseph Ciceu. The team finished second at the tournament, and in doing so qualified not only for the state tournament in February but also for the Small School National Championship Tournament (SSNCT). This is the fourth consecutive year the Academy has qualified for the SSNCT. This year, the SSNCT will be held in Rosemont, IL from April 28-30, 2023, and the team is looking to improve on its 4-6 performance in last year’s competition.
Academy Senior Selected as Presidential Scholar Candidate
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Charles Behrman, senior at the Indiana Academy, has been selected as a candidate for the United State Presidential Scholars Program! Students are chosen by their academic achievements, leadership, community and school service, and accomplishments in the arts or technical fields. Only 161 graduating students across the nation will be awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion during the National Recognition Program later this year in June. “What Charles has accomplished at the Academy actually exceeds and far outweighs the recognition he is receiving from the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and U.S. Department of Education by being named a candidate for this prestigious award,” says Dr. Olufowote, Director of Academic Affairs at the Indiana Academy. “Charles is the type of student that makes the Academy a better place. He has stewarded and leveraged well the academic opportunities our institution has to offer and, as one of our several non-residential students that commute daily, impressively cultivates a sense of belonging among his peers when on campus. We are certainly proud of Charles’ academic accomplishments to point but more so recognize, and boast of, the tremendous impact he’s had on our community of learners while at the Academy.”
Opening for International Program Director
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
The Indiana Academy currently has an opening for International Program Director. Details about the position can be found at the link below.
International Program Director
World Language Teaching Position Available
Monday, January 9, 2023
The Indiana Academy currently has an opening for Assistant Lecturer of World Language. Details about the position can be found at the link below.
Assistant Lecturer of World Language
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.”