Wall of Distinction
Attention Students!
The Wall of Distinction 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!
Key Club Makes a Difference
In March, Homestead students engaged in a friendly competition between their fifth-period classes to see which class could collect the most cans of food for Community Harvest Food Bank. By the end of the competition, Homestead students were able to collect more than 2 tons of food to donate to those in need! This would not have been made possible without the Key Club Officers who worked hard raising money, setting up, and running the contest. Homestead would like to give special thanks to these individuals for having such a positive impact on our community: Madeline Phoung, Yeyoon Song, Mackenzie McConahay, Adrienne Creech, and Hannah Shaw.
Mark Lenfestey Selected to Prestigious NASA Program
One of Homestead's astronomy/physics teachers, Mr. Mark Lenfestey, is among 18 teachers selected nationally for a highly selective educator training experience called the NASA Astronomy Activation Ambassadors Program (AAA). In this 2023 cohort, Mr. Lenfesty and the other 17 selected teachers will learn the latest about NASA’s astrophysics and planetary science missions, receive access to NASA education resources, and be trained to teach a curriculum module produced by the SETI Institute that connects curriculum concepts to NASA-supported scientific research. The program has reached approximately 35,000 students across the country. One teacher from New Hampshire, Susan Rolke, who had been previously chosen in 2021 for the AAA program, believes the lessons that she learned from the program are among the most memorable lessons that she had ever taught her students. Additionally, Dr. Dana Beckman who is the AAA program lead said that “The AAA program allows the SETI Institute to continue bringing NASA science into classrooms across the country.” The national program impacts teachers and students across the country in a way that encourages real-world science practices in classrooms across the country.
Mr. Lenfestey’s work will take place at NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. If you are interested in learning more about NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility and the AAA program, click here to read more about NASA's missions. Congratulations to Mr. Lenfestey on this major accomplishment!
2023 WPCI High School Communications Awards
The following students recently won awards from the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana “2023 WPCI High School Communications Contest;” Madeline Phuong, Azalea Orsini, Elena Moreno, Hannah Shaw, Thomas Hill, and Claire Houser. If you know these students, please congratulate them for their work on the Spartana!
Awards and Categories:
Madeline Phuong “The Reality of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” First Place, Environment Category.
Azalea Orsini “The Midterms Come to Town.” Second Place, Single-Page Layout Category.
Elena Moreno, Hannah Shaw, and Madeline Phuong “Beyond the Season of Giving.” Third Place, News Story Category.
Thomas Hill “Cultural Appropriation & Representation: Is There a Double Standard?” Third Place, Opinion Category.
Thomas Hill “I’m Not Like Other Girls!—The Tropes of Teen Fiction.” Honorable Mention, Opinion Category.
Claire Houser “Agent Domino.” Second Place, Cartooning Category.
Ball State's JDay Competition Awards
The following students were awarded for their work on the Spartana by the Ball State College of Communication, Information, and Media Jday competition. Homestead is fortunate to foster such quality talent in the Spartana program!
Ganga Subramanian: Honorable Mention Feature Story “Where Are All the Red Wolves of Indiana,” Honorable Mention Print Feature/Entertainment Design “Black Student Voices,” Excellent Print Feature/Entertainment Design “Spartan Spotlight: Indiana Oddities.”
Madeline Phuong: Superior Print Feature/Entertainment Design “Art-ificial Intelligence,” Superior Print Feature/Entertainment Design “The Reality of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
Claire Houser: Excellent Illustration/Cartoon “blOOm”
Luke Land: Honorable Mention Print Sports Design “Spartan Fall Recap,” Honorable Mention Print Sports Design “The Lady Spartans Recap.”
Congratulations, Spartans!
