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MHS senior named Indiana Academic All-Star, top 40 students in state

Posted: by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director
News Blog Category - News For the second year in a row, a Marion High School senior has been named an Indiana Academic All-Star, an honor earned by only 40 high school seniors in the state.

Elizabeth Wuertley is planning to attend Northwestern University, where she plans to study pre-med and prepare for a career as a pediatrician. She was honored with the other All-Stars at a luncheon Friday in Indianapolis.


The Academic All-Stars were chosen from a field of 275 outstanding nominees from public and private schools around the state. The 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 Indiana Association of School Principals, with support provided by Indiana University, and Purdue University, along with corporate partners Herff Jones, IndyStar.com, and Inter-State Studio and Publishing Co.

The IASP Indiana Academic All-Stars program salutes academic excellence in the same manner that student athletes traditionally are honored. By providing a showcase for academically talented seniors, the sponsoring organizations hope to accomplish the following objectives:
  • Give academic achievement the prestige it deserves.
  • Motivate students to recognize the value of academic excellence.
  • Provide students with an incentive for academic achievement.
  • 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 40 Indiana Academic All-Stars, along with an additional 50 regional honorees.

Selection of nominees and honorees was based upon the following:
  • A mathematical formula that combines the SAT or ACT composite score and a seven-semester grade-point average.
  • Academic achievements and honors, academic courses, and academic extracurricular activities.
  • Other extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership qualities.
IASP leads in the advocacy and support of all principals in their commitment to every child. The Department of Student Programs hosts 8 different academic competitions for students in grades 4-12, as well as a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest, a Student Day at the Legislature, the Academic All-Stars Program, and the Indiana Cheer Championship. Annually, over 42,000 students are involved in Department of Student Programs-sponsored events. To learn more about the Indiana Association of School Principals and the Department of Student Programs, visit www.iasp.org.