Wall of Distinction

Attention Students!

The Wall of Fame is a new development at Homestead that aims to highlight the accomplishments of the student body in the classroom and beyond the school walls. We want YOU to let us know about all the awesome things you do both in and outside of school! It could be doing a cool research project, serving the community in a unique way, being involved in an arts performance, and so much more! Click the link below to let us know about the awesome ways you are showcasing your talents, and you could be featured here in our monthly newsletter and in our new "Wall of Fame" by the 500's hallways! 

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Scholastic writing awards

The Scholastic Award results are out for students who submitted artwork or writing in December! The Scholastic Art and Writing Competition is the country's longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for aspiring creatives in grades 7-12. Approximately 10,000 students submit work across the United States and Canada to be judged at regional and national levels. The art and writing pieces are first judged regionally, often among hundreds of students. Every year, students walk away with honorable mentions, silver keys, and gold keys. Students who are awarded a gold key get judged at the national level in New York City to be considered for earning a National Medal. Furthermore, participants have the chance to win scholarships for their submissions if it meets the given criteria. This competition is a great way to display one's artistic and/or writing ability as well as receive achievements for their talents.

In the Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio circuit, 841 pieces of writing were submitted, and 303 received an award. Of those 303 awards, 17 works belong to Homestead students. There will be a Regional Awards Ceremony for the winners on February 18th at 1 pm. Additionally, all award winners will have their work displayed in the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in an exhibit from February 10th-April 7th so that the community can admire these creative works. If you are in downtown Fort Wayne, go check it out! The pieces are a beautiful demonstration of the creative abilities of middle school and high school students in the area.

Gold Key Writing Winners:

Left to right: Isabella Ambrose, Grace Hensley, Macie Wilson, Lily Tilby, & Rowan Walsh. Senna Waterval not pictured.

Honorable Mentions


Silver Key


Gold Key

Scholastic Art awards

Honorable mentions

silver Key

Gold Key

Upper: Ash Bushnell's Ghost Hunters, Gold Key

Lower: Ava Kramer's Vivisection, Honorable Mention

Lower: Chloe Hunter's In the Pits, Silver Key

Left: Lynae Shank's I Love You and Goodbye, Silver Key

Upper: Lydia Pawlak's Ice Cream Queen, Gold Key

Lower: Jasmine Barnes' Babies; Bonnets; and Bras, Gold Key

eli griffin accepted into west point

Congratulations to Senior Eli Griffin who was accepted to be a cadet at West Point. The United States Military Academy was established in 1802, but West Point had a major role in our nation’s history during the American Revolution. Both the American Patriots and the British realized the strategic importance of the prominent plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic location in America and in 1778 selected Taddeus Kosciuszko, a Polish engineer, to design the fortifications for West Point. 

West Point is so selective and prestigious that earning a degree can be compared to earning a degree from an ivy league school. They take pride in their core values of "Duty, Honor, Country." West Point's 2023-2024 Academic Year Theme is about Innovation, Technology, and the Future of National Defense. 

Eli was inspired to go into the army from his older brother being in the Reserve Officer's Training Course (ROTC) in the Air Force. He was sold on West Point's rich history and breathtaking view of the Hudson River. First year students like Eli, called plebes, can't choose a major until their second year. However, he hopes to go into mechanical engineering. After West Point, he will go to serve in the army for 8 years. Then, Eli will either plan to stay for another 20 years or leave the army to pursue engineering. 

SACS Superstar award

The SACS Education Foundation has created a new opportunity to honor SACS employees and would like your assistance. Students, community members, and colleagues can nominate a SACS employee who has gone above and beyond to impact our students. Any SACS employee can be nominated, including teachers, custodians, bus drivers, and nurses. If you see a staff member that excels at their duties and goes the extra mile to help others, nominate them for this award by clicking on this link. SACS staff spends so much time doing their best to make the learning environment for students as good as possible, so it is our turn to show them appreciation by acknowledging the work of the individuals. Take time to submit the application by the 15th of each month, where the nominated staff members have a chance to win $250!

This January, a teacher from Woodside Middle School won the award. Mr. Haff teaches Social Studies and We The People. Many Homestead students have had Mr. Haff as a teacher, and many agree on his outstanding skills. A parent of an older student nominated Mr. Haff claiming he is "one of the best teachers [they] have ever seen...We are so lucky to have such amazing talent in our district."

If you have more questions, contact Mrs. Braman by email! abraman@sacs.k12.in.us

Mrs. Jones, head teacher of the art department, who won a Lilly Grant for a trip to see historic artworks.

lilly grants awarded to mrs. Jones & Ms. olivero 

The Lilly Endowment was created in 1937 as a philanthropic organization. The money for this grant comes from gifted stocks from Eli Lilly and Company. The grant tries to aid education and community development which makes this a popular grant for teachers in Indiana. 

Mrs. Jones first heard of the grant from Senior Peeper and Mr. Cough. After 20 years of teaching, she felt it was the right time for her to apply. The grant focuses on giving teachers time for personal and creative renewal. Mrs. Jones explains that the application is "an explanation of your vision for renewal, including what types of activities you plan to participate in, a tentative outline," as well as how the grant will help offer the renewal. Mrs. Jones will use the money from her grant to go to France and Italy looking at the works of the Renaissance.. She wants to see the art that "left an indelible mark" on her journey through art. She hopes this trip will provide her with stories she can inspire her classes with. She loves how Homestead celebrates art and hopes her trip will help inspire Homestead's next generation of artists. 

Mrs. Olivero, English 11 & 12 teacher, also won a Lilly Grant. She learned about the grant through friends and teachers from other districts. Mrs. Olivero has been taking Mandarin Chinese lessons for the past two years. With her money from the Lilly Grant, she will travel to Beijing, China to take classes in person for four weeks, as well as experience the culture and the city. She especially looks forward to seeing the Great Wall of China and attending the Beijing opera performances. Mrs. Olivero is also on the Fort Wayne Sister Committee for Taizhou, China. If she has time, she plans on traveling to Taizhou as well to meet up with friends and colleagues. Over the course of Mrs. Olivero's teaching career, she has loved seeing students "grow personally and academically." She loves watching them develop throughout high school and believes that "students here are so hard-working and talented." Mrs. Olivero loves the staff here, as well as her new room which has an amazing view. She hopes that her time in China will help not only inspire her, but inspire students to follow their own passions.

presidential scholar candidates

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Award is one of the most prestigious awards that a high school student can earn. This program was founded in 1964 through a presidential executive order. The program honors students for their technical/academic abilities as well as creative/artistic talents. What is special about this award is that you cannot directly apply; students are nominated by YoungArts and the Chief State School Officer. Many students around the nation are nominated, but only 161 of them become Presidential Scholars. Five Homestead students are candidates for this award. Congratulations to Sophia Topmiller, Adisyn Nichols, Elisa Chen, Layla Kelly, and Lily Rassette!

Homestead's 2024 rising stars

The Indiana Association of School Principals offers every Indiana high school a chance to select four outstanding juniors for the Rising Stars of Indiana program. Being selected displays great academic achievement, and the program hopes to highlight these students for future scholarships. Of Homestead's Class of 2025: Molly Bartel, Penn Lee, Timothy Smith, and Anthony Tomaszewski have been selected. Congratulations!