Hiawatha student Logan Damiani gets into IMSA

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Friends of Hiawatha in Kirkland announces that Hiawatha High School freshman Logan Damiani has been accepted into the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. The internationally recognized IMSA offers a unique education for Illinois students in grades 10-12, especially talented in the areas of mathematics and science. IMSA students’ standardized test scores are among the nation’s highest, making them highly attractive candidates to the nation’s top colleges and universities. Only 250 freshmen are invited to join IMSA each year.

When asked how he feels about attending a boarding school next year (IMSA students live on campus during the week and return home on weekends), Damiani said he was “pretty independent” and was looking forward to the experience. While he is excited about the expanded opportunities and programs available at IMSA, he has mixed feelings about leaving behind a school he loves, according to a recent news release.

When first approached about applying to IMSA, Damiani admits he was “skeptical at first.”

“Hiawatha is an awesome school, and I’m proud to be a Hawk,” Damiani said in the release. However, with the urging of the school’s guidance counselor, Damiani began the admissions process. Along with taking the SATs, he was required to write four different essays by which creativity and problem solving were judged. The results of these tests, along with teacher recommendations, resulted in Damiani’s acceptance to the school.

“I’m in denial that I got in,” Damiani said. “I wanted to get in for my teachers.” They include science teacher Colleen Ford, math teacher Cassandra Splinter, English teacher Connie Worden, English and District Superintendent Christine Demory, who he says offered much encouragement.

Not to be overlooked are Damiani’s family.

“My dad encouraged me to try [for admission], and I read more [about IMSA], and went from being not so motivated to being very motivated,” he said.

Damiani is far from a bookworm, the release said, and is looking forward to some of the expanded sports opportunities at IMSA. He also loves soccer, basketball, football and being outdoors in general. But even with these opportunities looming, Damiani is wistful about leaving Hiawatha, and credits his school with preparing him for this journey.

“I believe Hiawatha prepared me for this,” he said. “The teachers have time to spend with me, one on one. The staff is amazing.”