The youngest of five children, Halle Underwood achieved aunt status early in life.
Indian Creek’s valedictorian for its 157-member senior class is aunt Halle to four nephews and three nieces, some – or perhaps all – of whom will attend Saturday’s commencement.
Underwood, who finished her time at Indian Creek with a 4.543 grade-point average, is one of three students scheduled to speak. The others are co-salutatorians Lauren Foster and Keely Skobel, both of whom carried identical 4.540 GPAs.
Academically speaking, the final weeks of spring semester were that competitive. That suspenseful. That unpredictable.
According to Skobel, the top 10 students in the class of 2024 had pretty much remained consistent dating back to middle school. The only changes were what number preceded which name.
“I think it was something I thought I could obtain,” said Underwood of being valedictorian. “The first semester of my junior year, I was fifth, and then after Christmas, I was first. I was very shocked, but super excited and very proud.
“The whole top 10, we’re all friends. We’re all very competitive. Honestly, it was a little awkward and stressful wondering what was going to happen with my grades.”
All three students were active in other areas, as well.
Underwood served as National Honor Society secretary, and was treasurer for student council her senior school year. She was a manager for the Braves wrestling team, a member of the academic team, part of the Spanish Club and involved in cadet teaching.
Underwood, who, like Skobel, has been a student in the Indian Creek school system since kindergarten, plans to attend Franklin College and major in pediatric occupational therapy. She looks forward to taking life’s next steps.
“To be honest, I’ve been a little emotional about it,” Underwood said. “I had a really great high school experience.”
Foster and Skobel echo their classmate’s sentiments.
A four-year starter for Indian Creek’s girls basketball, Foster helped the Braves win 82% of their games (87-19), including four sectional championships and a berth in a Class 3A semistate final as a junior. She completed her career with 1,781 points, ranking her third on the program’s career list.
Foster also played tennis for the Braves, graduating with seven varsity letters.
Her athletic accomplishments, while impressive, took a backseat to what she attempted to get done in the classroom.
“I wasn’t focused so much on class rank. I’m so proud of Halle for being valedictorian, and it’s an honor to be a salutatorian,” said Foster, who began attending Indian Creek as an eighth-grader. “I love sports, but school comes first in my mind. My parents always used to say, it’s student-athlete, not athlete-student.”
Foster will attend Taylor University where she will major in biology pre-med and play for the Trojans’ women’s basketball program, which competes at the NAIA level.
“I want to be an ER pediatric doctor,” Foster said. “I always knew I wanted to be in some kind of medical field, and I love working with kids.”
Skobel has been admitted to Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. She will live on campus either in Bloomington or at IU Indianapolis while pursuing her degree.
“I’m drawn toward the business field because there are so many different things you can do with it,” Skobel said. “Growing up, I thought I wanted to be a teacher. Then I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist.
“Once I looked at all of the options, it kept coming back to business.”
Skobel was vice president of National Honor Society, and volunteered whenever possible at the high school. She also works approximately 20 hours a week at Rose Buds Salon & Spa in Nineveh.
As someone who has spent her entire academic career in the same school system, Skobel appreciates the long journey she and her classmates have been on. Thus, the emotions of Saturday promise to range from appreciation to relief to a hint of sadness.
“I’m very grateful, and proud of everyone,” Skobel said. “I’m very excited for my future, and everyone’s future, as well.”
