TEN UNDER TEN 2024 HONOREES
The Ten Under Ten Award recognizes the accomplishments of ten young alumni leaders who are less than ten years past graduation. This year’s honorees include a disability advocate, an environmental leader, a cancer researcher, an officer and many more impressive Panthers.
Read on to learn all about this year’s Ten Under Ten!
Christian Courage Barda
Composer-performer | Class of 2022
Christian Courage Barda is a composer whose work combines visual media, choreographed and improvised movement, stream-of-consciousness prose, and experimental vocalism.
Their compositions focus on disability, identity, spirituality, and gender and sexuality. Their music has been performed by Indiana University’s contemporary vocal ensemble NOTUS, the Choral Arts Initiative, the International Brazilian Opera Company, and the Grammy-nominated ensemble Hub New Music.
Jaylen Gamble
Officer | Class of 2013
Jaylen is a Washington Township Schools native who graduated from North Central in 2013. He pursued further education at the University of Saint Francis, where he graduated with a degree in sociology with dual concentrations in Criminology and Social Justice, along with a minor in Diversity Studies and an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.
While at University of Saint Francis, Jaylen was a member of the football team when they won back-to-back national championships. After graduating, Jaylen found his way back to NC by way of coaching, getting involved in rugby and football for several years. During this time, Jaylen transitioned to a role in the building, first as a study hall IA. He was then ultimately hired and trained as one of the township SROs, where he is currently employed.
Lance Howard
Community leader | Class of 2015
Lance is an Indianapolis native who graduated from North Central High School in 2015. He has continued his education at IUPUI and IU McKinney School of Law, where he has earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Doctorate of Law, respectively.
Throughout his undergraduate and doctoral studies, Lance has worked in IUPUI’s Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as volunteered in numerous nonprofits focused on student success and overall well-being. In his spare time, Lance enjoys vacationing with his family and spending time with the same friends he met while at North Central High School.
Dr. Bilal Jawed
Global Health leader | Class of 2013
Dr. Bilal Jawed, a resident physician specializing in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, is deeply committed to addressing health disparities in resource-limited settings. His international efforts in Peru, Uganda, and Kenya have yielded research advancements, policy reforms, and the expansion of health programs. These initiatives span from creating a program to celebrate children overcoming drug-resistant HIV to implementing measures to reduce surgical site infections in local hospitals.
On a local-global scale, Dr. Jawed was actively involved with the Montgomery County Health Department during his time at Wabash College, where he engaged in mosquito research. He also led the Public Health Organization, and co-founded the Wabash Mental Health Concerns Committee.
Michael Loggan
Leader of student athletes | Class of 2014
Michael Loggan is the Director of Athletics at Northview Middle School, and wears many hats as the Panther Youth Sports Coordinator and Vice President of the Paul Loggan Foundation.
With a passionate dedication to fostering excellence in Washington Township athletics, he takes pride in providing student-athletes with platforms to showcase their talents. Michael’s commitment to community and sportsmanship shines through his multifaceted roles, ensuring that young athletes thrive both on and off the field.
Grace Mcintyre
Cancer researcher | Class of 2018
Grace is a PhD Candidate in Molecular and Cellular Pathology at the University of Michigan studying new therapeutic options for chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer patients in Dr. Analisa DiFeo’s laboratory. She studies a key driver of ovarian cancer called microRNA-181a and works to develop drugs that can target it.
She is also very passionate about helping students combat socioeconomic barriers to entering graduate school by volunteering for Project SHORT (Students for Higher-Ed Opportunities and Representation in Training), an organization that helps combat systematic inequalities in the graduate school application process by providing pro-bono admissions mentoring to prospective graduate and medical students. One day she hopes to return to Indianapolis and work as a Research Scientist at Eli Lilly.
Tatum Parker
Teacher | Class of 2019
Tatum Parker is a two-time cancer survivor and co-founder of the Tatum Parker Project. The nonprofit she helped establish in 2008 focuses on bringing joy to children facing cancer in Indiana. Through their efforts, they distribute backpacks filled with games, toys, and other activities to children battling cancer in Indiana to keep them busy throughout their long hospital stays. The nonprofit also donates money and raises awareness for pediatric cancer research, having donated over $100,000 to date.
Tatum is a recent graduate of Indiana University, receiving her bachelor’s of science in elementary education, following her passion of working with children. She has been teaching in the district at Spring Mill Elementary.
Sam Peterson
Environmental Leader | Class of 2013
After a life-altering accident that left him paralyzed, Sam transformed personal adversity into a professional crusade against climate change. As the founder and CEO of ECOVIEW and the Enterprise Program Manager at Powur PBC, Sam has facilitated over 2,000 residential solar installations, delivering significant environmental and economic benefits.
His commitment extends beyond business to his role as Vice President of Sustainable Future, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainability, health, and well-being in local communities.
Emily Reuben
Researcher & Documentarian | Class of 2014
Emily is a film and history researcher, writer and contributor to various online publications, documentary filmmaker, and press secretary to 10 members of the Indiana House Democratic Caucus.
Emily’s favorite areas of focus for research are horror studies and local Jewish history. She takes an active role in volunteering to improve her community; some of the groups she’s volunteered for are Our Choice Coalition, Hoosier Women Forward, the Encyclopedia of Indianapolis and the Indianapolis Public Library.
Kate RObinson
Disability advocate | Class of 2020
Kate is a senior at Miami University majoring in Public Health and Gerontology with minors in Disability Studies and Management. She is president of Best Buddies, a student organization of over 300 participants that promotes inclusion on campus through one-to-one friendships between college students and individuals with disabilities.
Kate also fosters service dogs in training. Her first foster is in Advanced Training working towards a placement with a child with a disability and her second foster is still in training with her.
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Do you know anyone that should be nominated and celebrated for their accomplishments? Click here to nominate someone for the 2024-2025 Ten Under Ten Award!
