Daisy Stout is a Homestead senior that likes to dance competitively outside of school. She competes in contemporary, jazz, and hip hop, but trains in ballet as well. She has gone to Tiffany and Company Studio of Dance since 2021, but her passion started much earlier. She began dancing for fun at 10 years old and was originally more self conscious because the dancers her age had already had many more years of experience; however, two years later at the age of 12, she was hungry for more and started taking dance more seriously trying out different styles. 

Daisy won the “Hip Hop Emerging Artist” and “Kode Redd Intensive” scholarships in February 2022. In this current season, she plans to expand her skills and knowledge as well as achieve success in her solo and group routines. In the near future, Daisy wants to audition for Ball State’s Code Red dance team; she has attended many of their clinics and loves their hip hop and pom styles. 

Every year, some of the students in the Homestead Jazz Band audition for the honor of being a part of the Indiana All-State Jazz Bands. Students audition by sending in a recording based on IJEA audition requirements. There is a panel of professional jazz educators and jazz musicians who select students to be a part of this band. This is one of the highest honors high school jazz musicians can achieve. In 2021, Sai Ramani (12) was the very first musician from Homestead High School to be chosen. This year, Homestead had 3 students selected, including Sai Ramani (12), Anthony Tomaszewski (11), and Luke Thompson (9). Luke is a part of the Junior All-State Band as well. Sai plays the tenor saxophone, Anthony plays the guitar, and Luke plays the trombone. Congratulations on this high achievement!

The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) is a highly selective program for students wishing to learn more about the inner workings of the political process. Every year, two student delegates from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity are chosen from the whole nation: 104 students total. These selected students receive a $10,000 scholarship and an all-expenses paid week trip to Washington DC. On the trip, students will get to hear major policy addresses given by current senators, cabinet members, and directors of federal agencies. They will also participate in a meeting with the president and a supreme court justice. 

This year,  Homestead senior Layla Kelly was chosen as one of the two students from Indiana to go to this conference. She will get the $10,000 scholarship for her undergraduate studies and go on the trip on March 2-9, 2024. This is an amazing achievement for both Layla and Spartan leaders. Make sure to congratulate Layla on her outstanding accomplishment!