Zishan Class of 2025
Where are you from?
I am from Muncie, Indiana.
How did you first hear about the Academy?
I first heard about the Academy from my older sister who attended in 2016. Additionally, I attended the adjacent school Burris since kindergarten, so I’ve always had close exposure to the Academy.
What made you decide to apply?
I applied to the Academy because I felt like it would cater to my academic needs more than my previous school through a more rigorous curriculum. I would be placed in an environment with other individuals with a similar affinity towards learning.
What is your greatest memory (or favorite thing) about your time at the Academy?
My favorite part of the Academy is how it’s a melting pot of students’ niche interests and talents. Yes, most people here share a commitment to their classes, but everyone has their own ability that differentiates them from everyone else. The Academy is the perfect place for people to express these abilities through the vast number of unique clubs and programs.
What are some of your extracurricular activities?
I am an active violin player and have been playing for eleven years. I’ve played in multiple orchestras, programs, and competitions such as the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra, Indiana All-State Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Side-by-Side Orchestra, Patricia Tretick-Gosling Competition, and many more. I also love to compose music and some of my pieces have won competitions such as the IMEA Composer’s Competition. Many of my pieces are also featured on streaming services under my name. During the summer, I’m a camp leader at Ball State’s Young Mathematician X-ploration camp. Here at the Academy, I’m the Co-president of the Asian Student Union and a tutor for Statistics and Spanish.
How has the Academy prepared you for life?
Through my three years as a student, I have found that the Academy promotes individuality in many aspects of your life. You are the one with the most responsibility in deciding the trajectory of your high school journey. You have control of what your schedule will look like, whether you need to go to a teacher’s office hours, what clubs you want to be a part of, etc. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but you will grow accustomed to it. This responsibility is what has prepared me not only for college, but for life in general after school.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to purse a Data Science/Analytics major while possibly minoring in Violin Performance or Music Composition.