In his 13th year of teaching theater at MHS, Mr. Thomas Mackey was awarded with the 2025 Outstanding Educator Award by Indiana Thespians at the recent state conference at Avon High School.

“I suspected that I had been nominated, but I didn’t anticipate winning. I feel appreciative of being recognized by my fellow theatre educators and students, but I’m not here to win awards for myself.  I’m more focused on how I can help my students improve each year,” he said

Several of his students also won awards including Samaya Jackson who was recognized as Merrillville’s Outstanding Senior.

Four of the six entries in performance Thespys earned a rank of Excellent:

• Samaya Jackson – Monologue
• Samantha Sampson – Solo Musical Theatre
• Madison Joubert & Karlie Conner – Duet Acting
• Samaya Jackson & Irmani Ward – Duet Acting

Jackson and Sabrina Smith also auditioned for colleges and scholarships and earned a combined $35,000 worth of scholarship offers from six colleges.

“I honestly was really hoping that I would receive the awards,” Jackson said.   “However, I went against a lot of other talented and deserving people so there was a bit of doubt in the air. When I received the awards I was ecstatic, I had been recognized for my talent and dedication, hearing my friends and everyone that was in the auditorium cheer and applaud definitely made it a moment to remember.”

Winning awards for theater might be great but there’s much more to enjoy about it.

 “I love seeing when students take the next step out of high school and into college or the professional world.  I am so excited for them to learn the countless things about theatre that I didn’t have the time to cover and to see their own love for and skill sets within the artform continue to grow,” Mr. Mackey said. 

 Jackson has her own reasons for enjoying theater. 

“My favorite thing about theatre would probably be the memories that I’ve made along the way,” Jackson said.