Savannah Class of 2026
Some responses may be paraphrased for clarity.
Savannah is a residential senior (Class of 2026) from Kokomo. She first discovered the Academy in the seventh grade when her friend, who was a sophomore at the time, applied.
What made you decide to apply?
“I wasn’t being challenged in school at my old school, and I was looking for more engagement, and I was looking for something a little bit more challenging. I decided that that was probably something I could get at the Academy.”
Though Savannah takes her academics seriously, she enjoys participating in a multitude of extracurricular activities. As a performer, she joined the show choir, theatre, and advanced choir through our partnership with Burris Laboratory School. When she returns home to Kokomo during school breaks, she participates in the community theatre there. With the Academy, she is the vice president of the National Honor Society, treasurer for the Black Student Union, co-president of the drama club, and serves as an ambassador and peer assistant.
How has the Academy prepared you for life after high school?
“Living in the residence hall really taught me a lot about who I want to be as a person, separate from the lives of everyone around me. It’s allowed me to kind of grow up and become independent.”
During her time at the Academy, she began to learn more about who she is and what she wants to do. She is learning to research and reflect on what is important in a career.
What skills have you developed while at the Academy?
“I’ve gotten a lot better at handling problems, problem solving, and communication. I’ve gotten significantly better at voicing when something makes me upset, or when people hurt my feelings, or when something has made me uncomfortable in any way, shape, or form. I’ve gotten a lot better at voicing when things bother me. I’ve gotten a lot better at staying on top of things.
“I’ve been a lot better at being organized and with cleanliness, especially because, with a roommate, you have to be on top of all of those things because otherwise you’re not just disrupting yourself, you’re disrupting someone else.”
The activities around Welcome Week during Savannah’s junior year are her favorite memories. During Welcome Week, she fondly remembers a group of new students and peer assistance traveled to the local pool and spent the day getting to know each other.
“That time spent with people before we even started school made me feel like I was going to be okay,” Savannah reflected.
As a senior peer assistant, Savannah continued the new tradition and took a new group of students to the pool.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in attending?
“Just apply. If you’re on the edge, just apply because if you get in then you have that option, whether you take it or not can be decided further on, but if you don’t apply then you’ll never know!”
After graduation, Savannah wants to attend college to major in criminal justice, psychology, or double major in both. After undergrad studies, she would like to attend law school. Her ultimate goal is to work at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).