Congrats to our September Students of the Month!
As we approach Fall Break, these students have started the year strong, with impressive showings in their respective program! Scroll down to read our Q&A with each program’s Student of the Month selection.
September 2022 – Students of the Month:
- Milli (Options Westfield Middle School)
- Bailey (Options Westfield High School)
- Leelynd (Options Noblesville)
- Alexis (Options Indiana Middle School)
- Jocelyn (Options Indiana North)
- Ryan (Options Indiana South)
- Leland (Options with ABA)
Milli
Options Westfield Middle School
Grade: 8th
Why do you think you were selected as Student of the Month?
I think it is because I’ve been doing a good job of staying on task & doing my work. Also having good grades.
When did you begin attending Options?
I started here this school year
Do you have any hobbies, passions or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I like to play & watch sports, football and tennis are my top two favorite.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
I’ve liked the smaller classes and being able to know everyone
Do you have a favorite Options teacher or staff member?
I would say Steve. He’s funny & nice also
What is your favorite subject in school?
I would say Gym class because I like sports
Have you improved in any areas since starting at Options?
I would say in science & in reading.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I think I want to go to college & become a firefighter. I like helping people and I want to find a way to do that.
Bailey
Options Westfield High School
Grade: 12th
Do you have any hobbies, passions or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
Yeah! I love drawing and writing about my favorite shows and games. I love to apply my own creative ideas to universes I’m invested in.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
It’s tough to choose one. There are many things that I think make Options great. From inclusivity, acceptance, kindness, etc. Non-gendered bathrooms, accommodations for students who struggle with mental health/ learning disabilities, and genuine and caring staff- It feels like a family here, and I actually feel cared for. It’s amazing.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Of the ones I’ve had here at Options, I’d say my favorite was History. I’ve always had an interest in how humanity has grown and evolved, and not to mention the incredibly interesting mythologies and religions that different civilizations came up with. Sean teaches that class- and when going through Greek history and mythology, we read the first Percy Jackson book to introduce us to the various Greek gods. And when covering American History, we got to watch parts of Hamilton. Which, as a big time Hamilton fan, I enjoyed very much.
Who is your favorite person at Options?
That’s another tough question. I’ve met so many incredible people here. Not just teachers, but friends. They’ve helped me so much to feel comfortable and valued, and even to realize things about myself I otherwise wouldn’t have. I can’t pick between my friends.
However, I feel like I can point out a specific teacher who’s my favorite. It’d be Sean. Not only for the reason’s in the last question; he’s probably one of the best teachers I’ve ever had- but because he’s the one who runs the DnD club. Joining that club, and playing as a whole new person, is part of what helped me to realize I’m trans. That discovery has changed so much about how I view myself for the better. And thanks to that experience, I’m honestly the happiest I’ve ever been.
Have you improved in any areas since starting at Options?
Yeah – not only has my mental health improved, but also my sociability. At my old school, I walked to class alone every day for every year. I never interacted with anyone. It wasn’t until my freshman year until I actually had any friends, but I still rarely got to see them. Now that I’ve started going to Options, I’ve made more friends than I’ve ever had. I have a whole group of people that support me, and I couldn’t be happier.
As far as academics go, I feel like I’ve improved a lot with math/ writing, and reading. Using screen readers and tips from friends have helped me significantly, and my writing has been improving steadily for a while. But math is whereI feel I’ve improved most. I still need a calculator for most things, but concepts and equations stick in my head much better. Partly because my teachers’ lessons are just so memorable. because they make them engaging.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
To an extent. While I’m not super sure about what steps I should take to get there, I hope to go to college at Ball State University. I want to earn a degree in fine arts- and work as a character designer/ concept artist for a video game or movie company. Other than that, I hope to grow my social media and youtube channel. Doing commissions to earn money with my art, and making animations with characters I love. As far as life stuff? Idk, I just want to have fun I guess.
Leelynd
Options Noblesville
Grade: 10th
Why do you think you were selected as Student of the Month?
Maybe because of my grades & because I’ve had a good start to the year.
When did you begin attending Options?
In February 2021
Away from school, do you have any hobbies, passions, or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I’ve started my own business with 3D printing & laser engraving, so I’m looking to expand that and create an Etsy page to sell items. I also like watching movies, both good ones & ones that are so bad that they’re funny.
Do you have a favorite Options teacher or staff member?
Everyone is great & I can’t pick one, but I would say Josh, Stacie and Thomas are all great people and fantastic teachers.
What is your favorite subject in school?
I’ve always enjoyed science & technology classes. I’m enjoying all my classes this semester especially.
Have you improved in any areas since you first started attending Options?
I’ve become more independent, with handling everything going on & also speaking up for myself.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for when you’re older, or after you graduate?
I want to become an engineer. That has always been something that I wanted to do, and I’m not sure what type of engineering just yet.
Alexis
Options Indiana Middle School
Grade: 7th
Hometown: Brownstown
When did you enroll at Options?
During the last school year, in March 2022
Do you have any hobbies, passions, or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I prefer to spend my free time either drawing, playing games, or talking with friends.
What have you enjoyed most about the Options experience?
The teachers here feel much more open to letting their students know that they can reach out if they need anything.
What is your favorite subject in school?
Personally, my favorite subjects are both science and art.
Do you have a favorite teacher or staff member?
I don’t have a personal favorite because all of them are great in my opinion.
Have you improved in any areas since starting at Options?
I can surely say that my grades have improved ever since I enrolled here, and I feel more open to ask for help than I was in the previous school.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I’m not exactly sure what my plans are after high school. I’ll at some point change my mind about certain plans, but all I know for what I plan for is to continue having the best grades I can get.
Jocelyn
Options Indiana North
Grade: 12th
Hometown: West Lafayette
When did you enroll at Options?
Last spring, during my junior year
Do you have any hobbies, passions or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I enjoy podcasting and making YouTube videos. I also love spending time with my two Havanese dogs!
What is your favorite thing about Options Indiana?
My favorite thing is that even though there are recommended due dates, everything is self-paced.
Do you have a favorite teacher or staff member in Options Indiana?
Stephanie, because she is always positive and encourages me to do school when I’m behind.
Have you improved in any areas since enrolling at Options?
I have become better at being more self-disciplined and doing things on my own. By that I mean not having to have my parents remind me to do my schoolwork. I also have a lot more confidence because I’m not as stressed in a school environment now that I’m home.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I got into Illinois State University and am planning on majoring in psychology. I want to be a school psychologist for middle schoolers.
Ryan
Options Indiana South
Grade: 11th
Hometown: Brazil, Indiana
When did you enroll at Options?
I enrolled at Options about three & a half years ago
Do you have any hobbies, passions, or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
I love building Lego sets and playing my Nintendo Switch
What is your favorite thing about Options Indiana?
That I can work at my own pace
What is your favorite subject in school?
I would say math because I like to figure out problems
Do you have a favorite teacher/advisor or staff member in Options Indiana?
I really like my Math teacher and Emily; they are so helpful when I have a problem.
Have you improved in any areas since enrolling at Options?
I have improved in Math and English a lot. My grades have also improved & gone up since I’ve been at Options.
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
Right now, I just want to graduate. I will probably get a job after school.
Leland
Options with ABA
Grade: 8th
“Leland is a very focused and gifted student. He completes all activities asked of him in a timely fashion. Leland is always volunteering to answer questions and help with daily classroom activities. Leland is helpful to fellow students with kind words and the sharing of shared classroom items. Leland is a pleasure to have the opportunity to educate.” – Quote from Options with ABA staff about Leland
How long have you been enrolled in Options with ABA?
Since August 2022
Do you have any hobbies, passions or ways you enjoy spending your free time?
Spending time at home and playing my XBOX video game system
What is your favorite thing about attending Options with ABA?
Completing the math lessons
What is your favorite subject in school?
Math, because it is easy for me!
Have you improved in any areas since enrolling at Options?
I believe my reading ability
Do you have any current plans or aspirations for after you graduate?
I’d like to have a small truck
* About Options Schools *
Founded in 2002, Options Schools are free, public charter schools serving grade 6-12 students in 135 school districts (and counting) across Indiana. With a high-quality, individualized approach to education, Options Schools specializes in providing students with an inclusive environment, unparalleled support, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15-to-1. With brick-and-mortar campuses in Noblesville and Westfield, Options also offers additional programs in virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats.
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