Helfers Named Regional Academic All-Star
Ashley Helfers, a senior at Wawasee High School, was named as one of 36 Indiana Academic All-Star Regional Honorees through a program produced by the Indiana Association of School Principals. Helfers was honored at a banquet April 16 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Academic All-Star distinction recognizes seniors who excel in the classroom first and foremost, but who also are actively involved in their schools and communities and take on leadership roles in those activities. The program is produced by the association of principals with support provided by Earlham College, Franklin College, Marian University, Indiana University Bloomington and Purdue University, along with corporate partners BMO Harris Bank, Herff Jones, IndyStar.com and Inter-State Studios.
Each nominated student submits an essay recognizing his or her most influential educator. Academic All-Star Regional Honorees, in addition to Indiana Academic All-Stars, were selected from a field of 253 outstanding nominees from the state’s private and public accredited schools.
The program salutes academic excellence in the same manner student athletes traditionally are honored. By providing a showcase for academically talented seniors, the sponsoring organizations hope to give academic achievement the prestige it deserves, motivate students to recognize the value of academic excellence, provide students with an incentive for academic achievement and promote a positive image of Indiana’s young people.
Each public and private high school accredited by the Indiana Department of Education may nominate one senior for consideration as an Indiana Academic All-Star. From these nominees, a selection committee chose the regional winners (representing five regions in Indiana) and the Indiana Academic All-Stars. Selection of a school’s nominee is based upon a mathematical formula combining the SAT or ACT composite score and the seven-semester grade point average, academic achievements and honors, academic courses and academic extracurricular activities and other extracurricular activities, community service and leadership qualities.
Helfers was also presented a $1,000 scholarship from Purdue University. The daughter of Jeff and Michelle Helfers, Leesburg, she plans to attend Purdue majoring in speech, language and hearing sciences. She is the valedictorian for the Class of 2014 at Wawasee and has been a member of Academic Super Bowl, Thespian Society, National Honor Society, student council, FFA, 4-H, Junior Leaders and her church youth group.