Keisean Class of 2026

Some responses may be paraphrased for clarity.

Keisean is a residential senior (Class of 2026) from Northwest Indiana. He first discovered the Academy after receiving a letter in the mail inviting him to apply.

What made you decide to apply?
“I had been in my school for years, and I was to the point where I felt like there was no challenge left and I was just kind of floating by with no real mental growth, even though I was passing every class with A’s.”

As a residential student, Keisean participates in numerous extracurricular activities. He is a student ambassador, a board member of three student organizations, and a member of the National Honor Society. Keisean serves as the treasurer for the Bring Change 2 Mind club, public relations manager for the Black Student Union, and the treasurer for the Artists for Change club. Outside of class and extracurriculars, he also works a part-time job.

How has the Academy prepared you for life after high school?
“The Academy has kind of taught me to prepare for, one, a life of networking and building connections in meaningful ways, but also it’s just given me the chance to broaden my horizons and really understand things that are outside of my comfort zone and build me up as a person.”

Keisean’s favorite memory at the Academy was meeting the new Academy students at the beginning of his senior year. He enjoyed the growing friendships and connections he built during Welcome Week.

What skills did you develop while at the Academy and how do you feel they improved?
“I’d say the biggest one was just an ability to face failure and keep trying or just having a resilience to keep trying at things that I don’t understand. Also being able to reach out for help and just communicate with the people around me when I don’t understand something.”

Keisean applied to the Academy because there were things happening at home and his school, like the school district not having enough money, that motivated him to seek out the intellectual environment the Academy offers to students.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in applying to the Academy?
“Be really open-minded and be able to acknowledge that this is not a place where you’re going to soar at everything with no effort.”

After graduation, Keisean plans to receive an undergraduate and graduate degree in psychology with the goal of being a therapist.