Wall of Fame
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!
National Merit Scholarship Semi-finalists
Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists!
This month, Homestead celebrates the National Merit semi-finalists: Noah Arnold, Elijah Bilos, Thomas Hill, Madeline Phuong, Daniel Schwab, Hunter Specht, and Cohen Thomas. These seven students are among the 16,000 in the country chosen for the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship program. Approximately 95% or around more than 15,000 students a year move on to become finalists for national merit.
These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for around 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. NMSC is a not-for-profit organization that operates without the assistance of the government. Approximately 340 businesses and education institutions donate money towards NMSC to honor the nation's scholastic champions.
Front Row (left to right): Hunter Specht, Elijah Bilos, Madeline Phuong, Cohen Thomas
Back Row (left to right): Noah Arnold, Daniel Schwab, Thomas Hill
How to Become a National Merit Finalist
The finalists initially entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT) which served as an initial screen for the program entrants. The pool of semi-finalists represents less than one percent of U.S high school seniors.
In order to become a National Merit Finalist, a detailed scholarship application must be submitted by the semi-finalist and a high school official. All semi-finalists must also have: an outstanding academic record, a recommendation by a high school official, a written essay, and qualifying ACT or SAT scores. Students who go above and beyond with their academics during high school are chosen based on merit, skills, and accomplishments that make them fit for rigorous college studies. This program rewards students with scholarships for their hard work in their academics over their four years of high school. The NMSC program enables students to take their education to new heights with scholarship money that they can use to put towards their college education.
When the Scholarship Finalists will be Announced
The winners of the National Merit Scholarship program will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
Becoming an NMSC semi-finalist is not easy. These students have met all of the requirements listed above, and much more! They have worked hard during the course of their high school careers, and are being recognized for all of their accomplishments. They are leaving a mark in the world with their accomplishments and skills.
Once again, congratulations to these outstanding Spartan scholars!
National Merit Commended Students
It has been announced that 11 Homestead seniors have been recognized as National Merit Commended students in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the principal to these scholastically talented seniors. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2023 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2023 competition by taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
Back Row: Maxwell Steffen, Dominic DeLuca, Samuel Ratkos, Cameron Byers, Isaac Hallman, Henry Schwartz Front Row: Bethany Perkins, Haley Biedenbach, Elise Peckinpaugh, Yoonji Choe Not Pictured: Leo Walker
“Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.”
Spinning into New York City!
Tabitha Wolf, a sophomore at Homestead high school, is among the ten selected from across the country to take a trip to New York City to study at the Suzanne Ferrell Summer Institute! She was scouted after a dance scout visited Fort Wayne, and recognized her abilities.
Tabitha is a full-time student outside of Homestead at the Auer Academy of Fort Wayne Ballet. She is in their pre-professional program and is working hard to master her skills in dance. Tabitha has been dancing for eleven years and has been a part of Fort Wayne Ballet's Nutcracker production for the last 9 years. She will be performing for their production this fall of Peter and the Wolf. Tabitha is hard-working and dedicated to her craft as a dancer. We wish her the best of luck as she continues pursuing her career as a dancer.
Congratulations Tabitha!
Red for Riley
Michelle Obioma (12) made an important contribution to our homecoming "Red for Riley" day that ended in a fundraiser for Riley Children's Hospital during the homecoming football game. Michelle did a fantastic job designing the t-shirts students bought to wear in the student section during Friday's game. All proceeds from the t-shirts purchased went toward the fundraiser. Homestead is proud to showcase her talents and dedication to making an impact "For The Kids"! Thank you Michelle for inspiring change in our community!
Spartan Football Fans Support Riley
Thanks to the Homestead Dance Marathon Club for organizing this annual fund raising event for Riley Children's Hospital. The club passed collection buckets throughout the stadium during the Homecoming Football Game September 23rd and raised over $8,700 For The Kids!
BOA Regional Champs
Our Homestead High School Spartan Alliance Band earned the Best Music Award and won their Regional Championship at the Bands of America Regional Competition in Toledo, Ohio on September 24th.
Interact Club Making a Difference
Homestead's Interact Club looks for every opportunity to have a positive impact throughout the community. In September, the club made cookies for the Aboite Fire Department to thank them for all they do to keep our school and community safe. Recently they joined with New Tech Interact to work at the Fort Wayne Rotary Club Fall Fest, an event held to raise scholarship money for local high school students.
