Episode 092: High-Achieving Orioles

February 24-28 is National Public School Week. The purpose of the week is to showcase the dynamic things happening in public schools across the nation. To celebrate, Dr. Wyndham highlights three high-achieving Avon Orioles on this special episode of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast. Avon High School Science Teacher Lisa Kern recently won the Presedential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching from the White House. Heiabeal Ainom is one of three Hendricks County seniors to win the 2025 Lilly Endowment Scholarship, enabling her to attend any Indiana college or university tuition free. Calleigh Neal is Indiana's 2025 Distinguished Young Woman and she heads to Washington DC in March as one of two Indiana delegates to the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program. In this episode, you'll learn more about their impressive achievements, what's next for each of them, and how their time in Avon Schools has helped equip them to succeed both in the classroom and in life.

We are so proud of each of these high-achieving Orioles, and we're excited to celebrate with them in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

Quotable: 

"Most of my teachers have always been willing to take the extra step. I always know if I have questions I can just ask — not just about our specific topic, but as people themselves. I've built friendships with some of my teachers. ... It sets us up to be successful people in the real world." - Heiabeal Ainom

"It's so encouraging to have the knowledge that your school system is supporting the things that you're doing outside of school as well. Obviously, public school systems support you in your educational experience, but Avon does a really good job of fostering those outside experiences as well that help you become a more well-rounded individual." - Calleigh Neal

"The kids are always really kind to each other, nice to their teachers, and polite, and understand the expectations. I think we have expectations that are reasonable and the kids know what they are and so we can kind of work well together. There are times when things don't go like they're supposed to, but the kids are really great here." - Lisa Kern.

Episode Links: Meet AHS's 2025 Lilly Scholar • AHS Senior Chosen as US Senate Youth Delegate • AHS Science Teacher Wins Presidential Award