On April 25, 2024, Lucas Jablonski will be recognized as an Indiana Academic All-Star. This award is very honorable considering IASP received 263 nominees this year, and Lucas was one of the 40 the committee chose. His dedication to his academics, athletics, the arts, and his community made him a strong candidate.  

Indiana Academic All-Star is a program by the Indiana Association of School Principals. Each high school may nominate one senior, a student with an outstanding SAT/ACT exam score, taking multiple AP classes a semester, and maintaining above a 4.0 GPA. The IASP committee, current and retired principals, guidance counselors, university staff, and IASP representatives review the applicants’ applications. The committee evaluates the applications by these criteria: strength of transcript, GPA and SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, non-academic activities, and commitment to leadership and community service. 

Lucas exceeds these criteria with his 4.9 GPA and 12/345 rank in the 2024 SHS senior class. Lucas is a member of the National Honor Society, a D.A.R.E Role Model, SHS Student Athletic Board, Pep Club, and The Owl student newspaper Editor-in-Chief. He is also a 3-sport athlete: cross country, swimming, and track and field running events. 

His skills don’t end there. Lucas has led the SHS Marching Owls and Guard as a two-year drum major. He is very involved in orchestras around the state playing the French Horn in the SHS Wind Ensemble, Columbus Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Calvary Baptist Church orchestra, and performed with the All-State band at Purdue University for the past two years. 

Indiana Academic All-Star is not the only award or scholarship Lucas has received over the years. Lucas achieved all of this during his high school experiences, so just imagine everything he can accomplish in the next years by going to The University of Evansville and majoring in International Studies.  

As part of the application process, each student was asked to write an essay about an educator who influenced their life. Lucas picked Mrs. Cottrill, his former English teacher and three-year adviser for The Owl student newspaper. 

Lucas, his parents, and Mrs. Cottrill will travel to Indianapolis on April 25, for the IASP Indiana Academic All-Star recognition luncheon. At the luncheon, Lucas and the other 39 recipients will be honored. Purdue University will present a student scholarship. IASP will also hand out two scholarships: one for a student based on community leadership and involvement, and the other for involvement and achievements in IASP-sponsored academic competitions. Mrs. Cottrill will also receive a plaque highlighting her influence on Lucas’s life. 

Receiving this award is a remarkable deed. With everything Lucas does for his family, school, and community, it’s no surprise he was picked. If you see Lucas, make sure to congratulate him on his achievement!