Luna Class of 2024

Luna (Class of 2024) strives to educate and advocate for her peers and community. Originally residing in Beirut, Lebanon and then in New Albany, IN, Luna quickly made a name for herself at the Academy as a member of several student organizations, including those she created.

Not only is Luna active at the Academy but also in the Muncie community. As a member of the National Honors Society (NHS) and Muncie Youth Leadership and as the Key Club president, Luna has worked closely with the YWCA of Muncie. Participants of Muncie Youth Leadership are required to complete a service project and Luna’s involved hosting an arts and craft event at the YWCA. After positive feedback from her community, she decided to continue these arts and crafts events as her NHS project.

“They said they wanted us to go there again. So, it was very nice,” said Luna.

Luna started the Middle Eastern North African Student Union (MENASU) at the Academy and serves on the Student Equity Council (SEC). Through intense research and her knowledge on the Middle East, Luna presented to the student body about the underrepresentation of Middle Eastern people in the U.S. Census. As a member of these two organizations, Luna helps to inform her peers on Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon.

Outside of the Academy, Luna tutors middle school students in mathematics, is a member of Ball State University’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) and is an avid boxer. Luna wanted to get connected with more Middle Eastern students and was invited to join the MSA after meeting them during Ramadan. She now attends their meetings and assists with program planning. Boxing is a hobby Luna wanted to continue after moving from Lebanon. She trains with professional boxers in her hometown to keep up with the sport.

Academy students can do internships with Ball State University or other businesses, which is how Luna got involved with economics research at Ball State and accounting at Marriott Hotels. Luna partnered with an economics professor at BSU and contributed to a research paper about the compensation for slave owners in the United Kingdom in 1833. She also interned with Marriott Hotels in their accounting department, where she later was hired as a summer employee.

Luna chose the Academy because she needed an academic challenge and a more diverse campus. She surprised her father on a car ride to Louisville, KY by asking if they could check out the Academy. After exploring the campus, she felt it was the right fit for her.

“I learned so much from the students as well as the teachers,” Luna said.

She finds it fascinating that students come from different backgrounds and finds everyone to be accepting of each other. Luna feels prepared for post-graduate life because she has learned how to be independent and manage her time. She also has learned how and when to say “no” and how to develop and maintain professional relationships.

Although it might sound cliche, Luna’s philosophy is “You only live once.” Luna also believes that whatever will happen, will happen. If she is stressed, she will repeat these phrases to balance herself.

Luna will use all the knowledge she’s acquired during her time at the Academy when she attends Claremont McKenna College in California, which she matched with through the Quest Bridge College Match program thanks in part with guidance from the Academy’s College and Career Counseling Center.