Aug. 29, 2016
Written by: Drew Amstutz '18, CLHS student writer
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Concordia Lutheran High School welcomes 10 new students into the Honors Academy this fall. In its third year of existence, the program has grown from 11 original students to now 39.
The new students are Natalie Asher, Megan Bordner, Chloe Didier, Erica Judt, Dever Kemme Nash, Alaina Marks, Liam McCurdy, Mason Pickett, Olivia Schuller and Regan Twomey.
Beginning in 2014, the Honors Academy promotes exceptional academics, leadership and community service among Concordia students.
The program challenges and encourages students to the next level of their academic success.
This year, students will visit multiple universities to expand their horizons by experiencing different schools in varied settings. The junior East Coast trip will include the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Swarthmore College, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
Sophomores will visit Midwest schools including Concordia University Chicago and the University of Chicago. The freshmen will remain in Indiana for their visit to Purdue University.
The diversity of the universities visited will give students a greater feel for what options are open to them when they graduate from CLHS, according to Luanne Erdos, director of the Honors Academy.
Students also interact with experienced community leaders through Leadership Summits. These summits are led by speakers who are top in their fields, including Josette Rider, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Fort Wayne. Students gain valuable life lessons, morals and strategies for success during the seminars. They also hear stories of personal growth and professional enhancement.
The wide range of industries represented allows students with any career path in mind to build their leadership skills while honing in on the specific qualities they wish to possess, according to Erdos.
“They are really inspiring,” sophomore Ini-Abasi Udoh said. “They make me want to do good in life and ultimately change the world. I can’t wait for the next one.”
Students apply for the Honors Academy and are selected based on receiving Pass Plus in English, math and social studies on their seventh-grade ISTEP tests or based on the PSAT test scores during their freshman year. Students then submit a creative response before interviewing with the selection committee.
During their four years at Concordia, students are required to take Advanced Placement and dual credit courses; maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA; attend lectures and training for leadership awareness; engage in cultural growth and community networking; and complete community service hours each year, ranging from 15 hours as a freshman to 35 hours as a senior.
During their senior year, students must complete a project of their own design and research and present their findings in a public forum. The juniors have now begun formulating their senior project, the culminating experience of the Honors Academy.
“Within this project, the students will demonstrate their ability to create, apply, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information to communicate significant knowledge and understanding,” Erdos said, “Each student will select a mentor to guide them in the project and research paper. I can’t wait to see what creations await us.”
Upon graduation, these students will receive distinctive recognition and a special notation on their high school transcripts.
To learn more about the Honors Academy, contact Luanne Erdos at [email protected] or 260-203-4575 or visit www.clhscadets.com/honors-academy.
Concordia Lutheran High School, located at 1601 St. Joe River Drive in Fort Wayne, Ind., was founded in 1935 as a private, co-educational Lutheran high school open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. With Christ at the center, Concordia continues to pursue educational excellence that equips individuals for lifelong learning and service as disciples of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.clhscadets.com.