Graduation is in just two weeks! Stay tuned for some of our senior families’ stories on what The Academy has meant to them and what they’ll miss.
Ja’na Baylor (Theatre ‘17) has been an integral part of the Theatre Department for four years. Her most recent roles were “Chuck” in She Kills Monsters, “Ariel” in The Tempest, and “Belinda Blair” in Noises Off!. Ja’na will be attending DePauw University in Indiana this fall, where she will major in Psychology and minor in Theatre!
Theatre Department Chair Ben Dicke has appreciated her dedication.
“Ja’na has been one of our department’s hardest working students, and she approaches everything she does with the same excitement and rigor. This was most notable this spring in She Kills Monsters, with her portrayal of Chuck, which was both hysterical and authentic.”
Ja’na’s mom, Michelle, will miss the connection that Ja’na had with Academy faculty.
“The academic teachers are true professionals. They bring a high level of expertise and expectation that produces artists from all walks of life. I will never forget the connection my daughter has made with her teachers. Mr. Tynan’s gentle but omniscient spirit gave her a love of history. Mr. DePrez has always stressed the importance of a school/home balance. Madam Mijalski inspired my daughter to be a global thinker. She spent last summer in France and now plans to study abroad. Ms. Von Ebers presence has allowed my daughter to develop an appreciation for literature, and help her understand the power she has as a young woman. Ms. Stone has transformed her into a critical thinker and problem solver. Ben Dicke and Andy Robinson are frequently topics of discussion during meal times in our home. I know that there is a deep level of trust and respect she has for both.”
Good luck to Ja’na next year at Depauw! It has been a pleasure to have her at The Academy.
“As an educator, I was looking for something exceptional, an institution of learning that would be stimulating and challenging. A place where mediocrity is absent, and ‘unprecedented’ and ‘phenomenal’ are the norm. The Academy has been just that. The climate is immeasurable. From the support staff to the academic teachers, everyone has always made me feel they were genuinely invested in my student’s well being. As a parent, this has been one of the most rewarding investments yet. My child has grown, and become empowered as she heads into adulthood because of her experiences at The Academy.”