Community service projects by students at Christel House Academy South in Indianapolis have been honored with a Gold Banner for Outstanding Achievement. Multiplying Good, a national nonprofit focused on elevating public service recognized the Christel House student team. This is the first time Christel House has been awarded a Gold Banner. The Students In Action (SIA) state win means the Christel House efforts will move on to national competition later this year.
SIA encourages leadership through community service. Sixteen Christel House students organized projects with a focus on recycling and immigration issues. Projects included a food drive, blood drive, Going Green service learning, and an immigrant welcome project with the Garfield Park Art Center. Senior Lindsay H., President of SIA said the Gold Banner was a goal set early by the team but admits when the awards were announced on a Zoom call, she was emotional. “It was overwhelming,” she says. “We exceeded our goals!” The team won four awards - Overall Winning School for Indiana, Gold Banner Leadership Award, Most Creative Project Award, and Most Outstanding Achievement Award for Indianapolis. Rachel Williams, Program Manager of Multiplying Good Indiana, says the hard work, depth and creativity of the Christel House student efforts was amazing. “These kids really deserved it!”