July 2019 News

Academy Hosts Summer Adventure Camps

Monday, July 1, 2019

This summer, the Indiana Academy hosted several day camps for students in grades 4-10. Each of our week-long camps were full of hands-on and fun-filled activities. Camps included:

• Starting from Scratch: Computer Programming – Campers learned how to use code to make a range of programs, including animations, stories, and games. Attendees of the Silly Science camp performed simple experiments using household items to learn basic science principles.
• Virtual Reality: Building Your Own World – Participants learned the basics of 3D programming and learned the history of virtual reality.
• Let’s Get Baking – Campers learned mixing methods to create decadent desserts, including breads, pies, cakes, and custards. Run Your Own Restaurant – In this camp, the kids had to write a menu then make homemade pasta, sauces, and desserts. All campers also had to practice proper etiquette during the camp.
• NASA Engineering Design Challenge – This exciting camp was funded in part by a grant from NASA, and it encouraged students to explore the unique challenges faced by NASA scientists and engineers as they design the next generation of aeronautic and space vehicles, habitats, and technology.

Indiana Academy Receives AP Award

Friday, June 14, 2019

The Indiana Department of Education recently announced recipients of the 2018 Advanced Placement Awards, and the Indiana Academy is in the top 10% percent on the list. To be selected, at least 25 percent of a school’s 2018 graduating class had to receive a 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam. Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick recognized the Indiana Academy along with other AP award recipients on Thursday, June 13 during a ceremony at the Statehouse.

Dr. Smith Awarded Silver Pen at National Convention

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Dr. Jeff Smith received the Silver Pen award while at the African Violet National convention for writing the “best article” in African Violet Magazine in a given year. His latest award-winning article, “What do Hybridizers See?” was published in the Nov./Dec. 2018 issue. This was Dr. Smith’s second Silver Pen award and he has received the “best article” award 7 times in his career.

Dr. Smith has now written a total of 158 columns for African Violet Magazine over 26 years, making his the longest-running column, and has had more than 50 additional articles published.

Twenty-Eighth Indiana Academy Commencement Ceremony

Sunday, May 26, 2019

The Indiana Academy held its 28th commencement ceremony in Emens Auditorum on the campus of Ball State University on Saturday, May 25. Mr. Ken Stuart, retired Academy instructor of history, was the commencement speaker and received the John E. Worthen Outstanding Contribution to Education Award. Retiring Academy instructor of math Mr. John Rajca was the recipient of the Dean Roy Weaver Indiana Academy Outstanding Contributor Award.

The Academy’s Class of 2019 was made up of 155 seniors representing 104 high schools, including seven international students from China and South Korea. Each graduate earned the Indiana Academic Honors diploma, and the class received over $11.2 million in scholarships and financial aid offers. The graduating class included 6 National Merit finalists, 11 National Merit commended scholars, 73 AP scholars (including 19 with Honor and 24 with Distinction), 3 National AP scholars, and one AP International Diploma recipient.

Recognition Reception for Top 10 Math Students

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

The Math Department at the Indiana Academy has established a tradition of honoring the top math/computer science student each year, usually giving the top student a small gift and celebrating with cake. This year there were so many outstanding seniors that the Math division couldn’t narrow it down to the usual one or two kids. Because there were so many students worthy of the honor in the Class of 2019, the department decided to recognize the Top Ten. These students have all taken extra classes along the way including in some cases some very high level Ball State classes, and the students have excelled in each of them.

The ten Academy students recognized by the Math department for taking a total of 65.5 math courses (equivalent to 210 hours of college credits) while at the Academy are:

Grace Allman
Charlotte Chen
Sage Hamm
Daniel Karagory
Darwin Kim
Hanbit Lee
Noah Migoski
Sterling St. Rain
John Replogle
Qifan Yang

The Outstanding Senior Award was presented to these students in appreciation for their participation and achievement in the mathematics and computer science program at the Indiana Academy.

Academic Super Bowl State Champions

Monday, May 6, 2019

Congratulations to the Indiana Academy’s Math and English teams that competed at the state championship of the Academic Super Bowl on Saturday, May 4 at Purdue University. The Math team won first place (for the third time in four years), and the English team took fifth.

Math:
Sterling St. Rain (Captain)
Darwin Kim
Kevin Gao
Qifan Yang
Nathan Buehrer

English:
Jill Hale (Captain)
Sam Shephard
Jacob Zeh
Jalyn Upshaw
Evan Jennerjahn
Sammy Walkley

To qualify for the state championship, twenty Academy students representing six subject areas competed at the regional tournament for Academic Super Bowl on April 16. Academic Super bowl is a multi-disciplinary academic competition that has a central theme; this year’s theme was the Fertile Crescent. Two of the Academy’s six teams, Math and English, qualified for the state championship that was held on May 4. This was the second appearance for both of those teams in the past three years.

Academy Students Take Home Gold and Silver at Russian Olympiad

Monday, April 29, 2019

On Saturday, April 27, a group of Academy students Russian competed in the Russian Olympiad hosted by the Global and International Studies School at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Registered but unable to attend were Grace Nelson and Katherine Kerr.

Additionally, Jake White won the ACTR Slava Award for Outstanding Achievement for a non-hertiage speaker, and Anand Rathinasamy won the ACTR Slava Award for Outstanding Achievement for a heritage speaker.

Congratulations to these students and their Russian instructor, Heather Rogers.

Indiana Academic All-Star

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Congratulations to Sage Hamm on his selection as a 2019 Indiana Academic All-Star. Sage was recognized at a luncheon on Thursday, April 25 in Indianapolis. The recognition is sponsored by the Indiana Association of School Principals and recognizes students for outstanding Academic performance as well as extra-curricular involvement and accomplishments. Each student nominates a teacher who has been most influential in their Academic progress and development, and he nominated Stephanie Nagelkirk who was also recognized at the event. Congratulations to Sage and Ms. Nagelkirk for this recognition.

Christine Ney Awarded Outstanding Teaching Award

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Congratulations to Indiana Academy instructor Christine Ney on being honored with the University Schools Outstanding Teaching Award during the Teachers College recognition reception on Thursday, April 18. Ms. Ney is retiring after 32 years of service to Ball State and the Indiana Academy.

Academy Students Give Outstanding Performance at Economics-Philosophy Competition

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Ten teams from three different high schools including the Indiana Academy competed on April 18 in an event put on by the Ball State University Economics Department. The Academy fielded three teams of seniors, and they all performed exceedingly well. After presentations and discussion, questions on specific moral dilemmas were put to the teams, and they had only 5 minutes to formulate an answer. All three Academy teams delivered answers that were strongly reasoned, supported by relevant philosophical concepts, creative, and very well-articulated. Participating students included:

Suzanne Brown, Francesca Clifton, Than Win, Magnolia Clayton, Hanbit Lee, Rachael Snow, David Stephens, Nathan Buehrer, Alex Newhall, Samuel Shephard, and Drew Wheatley

Medals were awarded to the first, second and third place teams in the competition, and Academy teams won first and third!