Jack Class of 2026

Some responses may be paraphrased for clarity.

Jack is a senior (class of 2026) non-residential student from Muncie, IN. He first discovered the Academy through his brother, a member of the class of 2023.

What made you decide to apply?
“I decided to apply to the Indiana Academy for many reasons. The first reason was that my older brother Caleb had attended the Academy and greatly enjoyed his experience. He mentioned how he got closer with his friends and was able to make new ones during his time at the Academy. The other reason was I wanted to challenge myself more than my high school was challenging me. The Academy offers more advanced placement classes as well as dual credit, which allows me to get a head start on college credits. I also knew that when it came to athletics, they would still be through Burris meaning that I’d still be able to be with the same teammates I had known before.”

Jack serves as the swim team captain, the non-residential senior representative for the Indiana Academy’s Student Government, and is the vice president of the Asian Student Union.

As a non-residential (commuter) student, Jack likes that he can meet new people and attend clubs while still getting to spend time with his family. He also likes that he can maintain his existing friendships from his time attending Burris.

What is your greatest memory about your time so far at the Academy?
“My fondest memory from my time at the Indiana Academy would have to be from Halloween this past year. Some of my friends from the Academy and I all got together and watched a scary movie for a couple hours. It was nice to spend time with my friends outside of school and such a great de-stressor as college applications were due earlier that day. It helped me to get closer with people I don’t always get to spend as much time with since most of them were residential students while I was a non-residential student.”

During his time at the Academy, Jack has experienced the rigors of taking college-level coursework in a college-style schedule. Jack said he is more responsible and has learned to better manage his time. Thanks to participating in the Student Government, he feels ready for his future career.

What else would you like to share?
“The Indiana Academy has allowed me to have opportunities I would not have been able to have at another high school. It has also set me up very well for college, and my teachers and advisors have helped me during my college process by giving valuable advice and letters of recommendation.”

After graduation, Jack plans to attend college to study political science. He is interested in both politics and political journalism.