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!
Indiana Principal's Rising Stars
Congratulations to these well-deserving Spartans who have been selected as Rising Stars of Indiana, a recognition from the Indiana Association of School Principals. Four HHS juniors were selected based on their academic achievements. The IASP awarded certificates of achievement to recognize these students for all they have already achieved, as well as offered encouragement to the students as they continue their accomplishments and expand their knowledge, growth, and leadership skills well into the future. Well done, Spartans!
(Left to Right) Elizabeth Twenge, Anna Heck, Lindsay McGuire, and Britton Shumard
Makayla McConahay and Mr. Beer with the winning travel writing design
Travel Writing Logo Design Winner
"Pay attention!": The motto of Mr. Beer's famous travel writing class here at Homestead.
Mr. Beer's travel writing class has not only provided students the opportunity to explore their potential as travel writers but has also given the students in Mr. Manco's Digital Design class some experience in graphic design. Mr. Beer offered the students in Digital Design a task that prompted them to create a new and improved logo for travel writing. One student, Makayla McConahay, designed the perfect logo for the class. Mr. Beer was amazed by the end result.
"I provided some examples and ideas for what I was looking for, but I was blown away by Makayla’s design. I love the colors, the mountains on the bottom, the way she incorporated the class motto (“Pay Attention”), and her idea of using a license plate to hold it all." -Mr. Beer
For those that are deciding what English classes to take in the upcoming school year, consider taking travel writing. At the end of the course, you will receive a souvenir of Makayla's spectacular design. With the funds raised from Mr. Beer's Travel Café, he provides each student with a sticker of the logo at the end of the semester. If you enjoy designing, consider enrolling in Mr. Manco's Digital Design course here at Homestead next year as well! There will be more opportunities like this one to share your designs to the real world. Congratulations Makayla!
The Girl Power Project
A passion for gymnastics and making a difference in their communities led best friends and gymnastics teammates, Gina Zirille and Stella Boothman, to start their own business to promote a healthy lifestyle and self-confidence for young girls called The Girl Power Project, an Indiana nonprofit consulting, project management, and service business.
The Girl Power Project is a proposed nonprofit, community project that will give young girls from lower-income families in Indiana an opportunity to learn how activities like gymnastics, tumbling, and cheerleading can be fun when they get to middle school and high school.
The Girl Power Project utilizes volunteers from Homestead's high school sports teams as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters, allowing them to organize a way to teach young girls about tumbling and taking care of their bodies with people who have actually experienced these things.
Homestead's School Resource Officers (SRO's)
I am sure that you have seen the friendly officers in uniform around the school: K9 Officer, Loki, or one of our three officers, Bill Roberson, Chris Kramer, or Roderick Kirkland. Although these officers are familiar faces in our hallways at Homestead High School, it is important to recognize their contributions to our school and even within our district. These three officers keep the Southwest Allen Country school district a safe learning environment. They protect SACS students and staff by enforcing the law and investigating potential violations so students and staff can focus on the most important thing: learning. Our SRO's also establish relationships with students and staff at Homestead High School and take part in the educational atmosphere to create a safe space for everyone. The next time you see one of the officers in the hallway, thank them for everything that they do to keep SACS schools safe!
Homestead Wind Ensemble
The Homestead High School Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Bryen Warfield, performed at the 76th Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference on Monday, December 19, 2022, in Chicago. Their performance was to serve as a clinic band for a presentation led by Dr. Daniel Tembras, Director of Bands at Purdue Fort Wayne, titled, "Teach Like Your Hair Is on Fire: Rehearsal Techniques That Engage Learners and Establish Ownership." Students performed for music educators from across the world, in a venue that was so full, it was standing room only.
This prestigious event had over 18,000 attendees from all 50 states and over 40 countries. Our students not only performed, but were able to attend concerts and clinics focusing on concert band, jazz band, and orchestra. All of the performance ensembles and clinics are at the highest caliber in order to be part of the presentation of this incredible event.
Our students also had the opportunity to walk through over 300 booths ranging from colleges (most major colleges have their school of music represented), instrument manufacturers (students could sample virtually any professional quality instrument), and military groups.
In the Midwest Clinics 76 years of existence, the Homestead High School Wind Ensemble is the only concert band from Fort Wayne to ever perform in any capacity at the conference. The only other area Ensemble to perform at the clinic was the Northrop High School Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Barry Ashton, in 1988.
As we continue to expand our incredible band and orchestra program at Homestead, part of our growth and comprehensive music education for our students will be to provide these important performance opportunities. We will continue to apply for acceptance to The Midwest Clinic and other similar conferences and festivals because these performances are the culmination of an outstanding music education in our schools in Southwest Allen County.
The Homestead Wind Ensemble and Homestead Symphony Orchestra have been accepted to perform at the Music for All National Concert Festival during spring break in Indianapolis. Our students will begin preparation for this performance at the start of second semester.
Congratulations to our amazing music students!
Riley Champion
Homestead's Camryn Saal has been named a 2023 Riley Champion in honor of her courage and commitment to helping others. This award honors young people who have turned their biggest challenges into their greatest strengths. Riley Children’s Hospital said of Camryn: Senior Camryn Saal has been challenged with a rare cancer and a traumatic brain injury, but has faced both with such a positive attitude that makes her an especially strong ambassador for Riley. After Camryn’s recovery, she and her family resolved to give back by starting Brains for Hope to raise money for pediatric cancer research. In three years their foundation raised close to $300,000. The Saals hope their efforts will contribute to discovering new oncology drugs with fewer side effects for children. Camryn has been the manager of the girls’ varsity soccer team all four of her years at Homestead. Although her disabilities prevent her from playing, her enthusiasm on the sidelines motivates others.
To see the WPTA-TV interview with Camryn, click here
To read the full article from Riley featuring Camryn's story, click here.
National Honor Society Induction (November 2022)
Homestead recently held their annual National Honor Society induction ceremony and welcomed 150 new members in to this prestigious organization. Students were selected for their scholarship, character, citizenship, and service to the community. Homestead NHS students contribute hundreds of hours of service to the school and community, including providing free before and after school tutoring to students who appreciate the academic support they receive from their peers.
American Invitational Mathematics Examination Qualifiers
Spartans Sai Shamyant Boda and Benjamin Garrean have qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination on February 7, 2023. Only the top 5% of all students who took the entrance exam were invited to participate in this prestigious competition where high school competitors across the country use logic and mathematical reasoning to achieve the highest possible score.
Good luck to these amazing scholars!