Marion High School senior Nathaniel Beck has been named an Indiana Academic All-Star, an honor earned by only 40 high school seniors in the state.
Beck is planning to attend Purdue University, where he plans to study chemical engineering. He was honored with the other All-Stars at a luncheon Thursday, April 24, in Indianapolis.
The Academic All-Stars were chosen from a field of hundreds of 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.
At the IASP awards ceremony on April 24, 2025, Nathaniel Beck (seen here holding his Indiana Academic All-Star plaque) was joined by his parents, Alan and Christy Beck (parents) and his brother, Carter, along with Marion High School math teacher Doug Porter, whom Nathaniel selected as his honored educator, and MHS Principal Stacey Hunt. (Photo courtesy of the Beck family)
Nathaniel is valedictorian of the MHS Class of 2025.
He is president of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica (Spanish Honor Society), and secretary of National Honor Society. He is a leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Senate, and M-Club. He has served on the IHSAA Student Advisory Council and he is an AP Ambassador. He is also a member of Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society, and the Best Buddies program.
He is a College Board national honoree, and was selected an Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Rising Star in his junior year. He has earned the AP Scholar with Distinction designation, for which a student needs to earn scores of 3 or higher on five or more Advanced Placement exams, with an average score of at least 3.5 on all exams taken. A score of 3 designates the student as “qualified” and capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular subject at college, and many colleges and universities grant credit and placement for scores of 3, 4, or 5.
Nathaniel has been the captain of the cross country, track and field, wrestling, and soccer teams. He has sung with the choir, and he is an active member of his church youth group. He has helped with officiating for middle school track and field, as well as wrestling. He has also volunteered with Marion Community Schools Youth Sports, and with Grant County Rescue Mission, and the NAIA National Championship Track Meet.
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:
Student transcript, with a focus on Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced College Placement classes taken/grades received.
Academic achievements and honors, academic courses, and academic extracurricular activities.
Other extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership qualities.
The Indiana Association of School Principals leads in the advocacy and support of all principals in their commitment to every child. The Department of Student Programs hosts academic competitions for students in grades 4-12, as well as a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest, the Academic All-Stars Program, Esports, and the Indiana Cheer Championship. Annually, over 35,000 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