TWO SYCAMORE STUDENTS ARE BRADLEY SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS While Sycamore has a tradition of students being honored with
She says Sycamore has taught Nate more than knowledge in
scholarships, the unveiling of the 2020 Caroline D. Bradley
school. He has also learned to grow as a whole person, with
Scholarship recipients was a first: Sycamore has two winners.
confidence, integrity, and generosity. Outside the classroom,
Eighth Graders, Nate Liang and Emily Hackwelder, were two
he is involved in extra activities ranging from Science Bowl,
out of the 28 in the U.S. who have been named award recipients
MATHCOUNTS, Vex Robotics, music, and cross country. He
for the class of 2025. No other school in the nation had two
also started the school’s own Quidditch Club.
students honored. Liang and Hackwelder are the only recipients from Indiana.
Nate featured the Quidditch Club in his application to tell the story of who he is. It tells a story of his creativity,
“I think this set us apart in the best of ways,” says Diane
love of literature, commitment, and leadership. “To me,”
Borgmann, Head of Sycamore School. “To have two of 28
Suvannasankha says, “the bigger story behind it is the journey
national winners is phenomenal. I think, foundationally, it tells us
of a child growing up with a Sycamore mentality where
that we are fulfilling our mission. We are providing the stimulating
creativity is treasured. From the first time Nate read the Harry
environment our kids need in order to fulfill their potential.”
Potter series, he was in love. Sycamore is as close to Hogwarts you could have in the real world where anything is possible.
The Institute for Educational Advancement (IEA) annually
Jamie MacDougal (the former Head of Middle School) let him
awards national winners a four-year high school scholarship
be the Professor Snape of Sycamore and lead several more
for gifted learners to attend an optimally matched high school
Harry Potter activities ranging from the Sorcerer’s of Stone
program to help them work toward meeting their unique
scavenger Hunt to all the Quidditch matches.”
intellectual and personal potential. “This scholarship provides financial and personal support so these exceptionally gifted
Kathy Hackwelder says her daughter would not be as successful
students can focus on their quest for knowledge and work toward
were it not for Sycamore. “We are, of course, over the moon
their full potential,” explains Elizabeth Jones, President and Co-
about Emily being selected. While we don’t know what exactly
Founder of IEA.
it was that made them pick her, we’re certain that without the ten years of challenge, love, and nurturing she has received
“This would not at all be possible without the teachers at
at Sycamore, she would not have had this opportunity. Emily
Sycamore,” Liang’s mom, Attaya Suvannasankha, says of her
works hard and has always had tremendous enthusiasm for
son winning the award. “Sycamore has taught Nate to grow as a
learning across all subjects. It’s that enthusiasm and her
whole person with confidence, integrity, and generosity, both in
intellectual curiosity that make her a strong student. Her
the classroom and extra activities.”
Sycamore teachers have nurtured that intellectual curiosity since she was very small.”
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