Vote for IndyStar Student of the Week for Nov. 18-22

Each week high schools are invited to nominate an outstanding pupil for IndyStar’s Student of the Week.

Readers vote on central Indiana students who were nominated by their schools for their excellence in the classroom and beyond.

Readers can vote for their favorite student throughout the week at the bottom of this story on IndyStar.com, with polling closing at noon Thursday, Nov. 21. Winners will be announced Friday.

This contest aims to introduce readers not just to the student who winds up winning but to all of the highly accomplished nominees.

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Here’s what nominating school leaders had to say about this week’s nominees:

Elijah Thompson, a senior at Franklin Central High School. Elijah Thompson excels in the classroom and is a leader on the baseball and basketball teams. He leads by example and exemplifies what a student-athlete is. He has a big heart and is dedicated to all he pursues.

Riese Myers, a junior at Cascade High School. Riese has proven herself to be a natural leader, both as a junior officer during Homecoming preparations and in the classroom. Her thoughtful questions, willingness to participate, and focused work ethic make her a standout student. Riese’s kindness and ever-present smile make her a wonderful asset to any group she’s in.

Jesse Haskins, a senior at Plainfield High School. Nominated by Stacey Peters (PHS Calculus Teacher): “I witnessed Jesse go out of his way for another student. He went and sat on the floor beside this student, who was alone and listened to him. Jesse was in a situation where it would have been easy to ignore this other student or to shush him, but he chose to reach out and meet that student right where he was. I don’t know for sure if it made the day of this student, but it sure made my day.”

Jack Turner, a senior at Southport High School. Jack has set a remarkable example through his dedication to academics, athletics, and community service. As a Tech Honors recipient, Jack has taken a wide range of Dual Credit courses and excelled not only in his business concentration courses but across all his studies, demonstrating outstanding academic drive and commitment. Jack is also a standout on the basketball court, where he has been a four-year varsity athlete. Known for his leadership on and off the court, he’s an integral part of the team, setting a high standard for his peers and showing commitment to both the sport and his teammates. Beyond his athletic and academic achievements, Jack is deeply passionate about helping others. He has been a devoted member of the Unified Football team, where he supports students with disabilities, displaying empathy, patience, and an inclusive spirit. In his role as a Booster Club officer, Jack helps foster school spirit, rallying students, staff, and the community to support Southport’s student activities and events. With countless volunteer hours dedicated to both the SHS and Indianapolis communities, Jack has made a lasting impact through his selfless service. Southport High School is proud to honor Jack Turner for his achievements and contributions, celebrating him as a true leader and role model.

Isabella Sellers, a senior at Shortridge High School. She has earned 10 varsity letters and will have 12 when she graduates. Izzi has the highest GPA in her class. Izzi doesn’t just show up for the sports, she’s a leader. She was the captain of the varsity volleyball team in her freshman and senior years. She also earned all-conference her junior year. She was the captain of the softball team her junior year and was all-conference all three years so far. She led in triples, doubles, and stolen bases. She was the MVP of the softball team this past season. She is on the swim team and went to the second round of sectionals on a relay team all three years. Off the court, Izzi is an active member of the Key Club where she is the treasurer, attends leadership conferences, and helped start a community closet and food pantry for the students at Shortridge. She is the vice president of the National Honor Society, the treasurer of the National English Honor Society, and a member of the National Art Honor Society. She has been on the Science Olympiad team since freshman year and balances those practices and competitions with her swim schedule. Izzi helps other students achieve. He has helped with the Unified Sports Special Olympics for the past two years. She is friends with these life skills student-athletes and sits with them at lunch. She is also a peer mentor where she is a guide and role model for struggling freshmen. During weekly meetings, she helps these students create plans to keep them on track. She loves to help everyone at school feel successful and included!

Chloe Jones, a senior at Martinsville High School. Chloe has been a three-year letterman in volleyball and basketball while maintaining a 4.27 G.P.A. and was selected as a “Rising Star of Indiana” by the Indiana Association of School Principals. Chloe has served on our Student Athlete Leadership Team, was selected and participated in the “Richard Lugar Symposium for Tomorrow’s Leaders,” has served as a Peer Teammate for our Unified Athletic Program, and as President of M.H.S. Dance Marathon helped raise nearly $30,000 for Riley Children’s Hospital.

Elle Speicher, a senior at Herron High School. Elle Speicher is a leader through many volunteer activities- National Honor Society, Riley Dance Marathon, Herron Athletics Herron Hype Committee, Redeemer Youth Group Student Leadership Team, and is also a camp counselor! She also participates in our internship program to support younger elementary students, while balancing all of these activities with some of Herron’s toughest classes!

Grisell Salinas, a junior at Ben Davis High School. Grisell Salinas is an extraordinary student and individual. She maintains a strong 3.4 GPA while balancing academic commitments with a part-time job and a deep dedication to serving others in her community. Grisell’s passion for psychology, along with her caring and supportive nature, makes her an inspiring peer mentor who encourages others to work hard and persevere. Her unwavering trust in God, even in challenging times, fuels her resilience and guides her approach to life, embracing every opportunity for personal growth and helping others along the way.

Jyla Robinson, a junior at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School. Jyla stands out for her creativity and enthusiasm, bringing fresh ideas and a positive attitude to every project. Her willingness to help others and her strong sense of empathy make her a valued friend and a remarkable role model for her classmates.

Luke Smith, a senior at Guerin Catholic High School. It has been a pleasure to have Luke at our school. He is a really young man who takes his studies seriously in our academically rigorous environment. While many students are focused on building impressive resumes, Luke quietly stands out through his performance, hard work, reliability, integrity and deep witness to his faith. He has built a solid reputation based on his exceptional achievements both in and out of the classroom. His growth over his time here has been remarkable, and he has consistently pushed himself to improve. Beyond his academic talents, Luke’s interests and talents are diverse and impressive. He is the second youngest of ten siblings and has a passion for music, art, physics, family, friends, and his faith. Luke enjoys playing the drums, singing, rock climbing, and exploring nature. He is good at connecting with people, though he may seem quiet at first. He’s also actively involved in the Students for Life club, house band, and rock climbing. He works during the summer landscaping on a golf course and has a love for 3D art and playing men’s softball with his brother. Luke is not only a dedicated student but also a responsible and team-oriented individual. He’s someone who takes initiative, accepts responsibility, and is determined to see tasks through to completion.

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Finn Combs, a senior at Roncalli High School. Roncalli communications teacher Julie Albertson says about Finn, “With every submission of her work, I have been impressed with Finn’s creativity and dedication to excellence. Her understanding of the principles of photography we have been learning is evident in her work. She also just sees the world in a unique and beautiful way and is able to capture what she sees with the camera.” Mrs. Albertson also cites a high degree of participation in learning activities, intellectual curiosity within the classroom, and being a positive role model for other students.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Vote for IndyStar Student of the Week for Nov. 18-22

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