Warsaw Community High School

Amanda Waddle

May 19, 2025

WARSAW, IN - Warsaw Community High School (WCHS) senior Makia Lucas isn’t just graduating this spring, she’s making history. While completing her senior year at WCHS, Makia earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Ivy Tech Community College, graduating cum laude with a 3.89 GPA. She completed college-level coursework through Ivy Tech, Purdue Fort Wayne, Indiana University South Bend and Vincennes University, all while managing a full high school course load.

Her accomplishments extend far beyond the classroom. Earlier this spring, Makia was named Outstanding Senior for all JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) programs across Indiana, earning 1st place in a highly competitive process at the state-level JAG Career Development Conference in Indianapolis. She competed against 12 regional winners, submitting a personal essay, preparing a detailed career plan, completing five college applications, and participating in a formal interview before a panel of judges.

As part of her role as Indiana’s next JAG Career Association President for 2025–26, Makia will represent more than 125 JAG programs and thousands of students at advocacy events and leadership summits. She shared that she’s especially excited to meet and listen to young leaders from across the state — to hear their struggles, achievements, and plans for what’s next. She hopes to use her platform to share her own story and show that young voices are being heard.

Taylor Myers, JAG Coordinator for Region 2, has worked closely with Makia throughout her high school career and praised her unwavering commitment to the program. “Makia has shown amazing dedication to our JAG program at Warsaw and across Indiana,” Myers said. “She has represented well at all of the major events, both local and across the nation. She is passionate about her work in JAG and pushes every day to get more kids involved in the program.”

As President-Elect of Indiana JAG, Makia is already taking on leadership opportunities and planning for statewide impact. “She is determined to bring JAG Indiana to its fullest potential,” Myers continued. “Makia is already signed up to speak to many different leaders and students across the state to share her journey and all she has accomplished to get our program where it is today.”

Makia’s leadership is already influencing students beyond Warsaw. “She has spent many hours speaking to Region 2 JAG programs, meeting with each class individually to understand their experiences and ask how she can improve them,” said Myers. “Once you meet Makia, you know you’ll never forget her.”

Makia’s personal journey has been shaped by perseverance and purpose. In eighth grade, she lost her father unexpectedly, followed just weeks later by the loss of her grandmother and her brother. She had also previously lost a sister. “My family and school support system believed I wasn’t going to let my story bring me down, but instead push me further,” Makia said. “With their help, I can now show that no matter what you go through at a young age, you can achieve so much.”

From earning her degree and completing job shadows to nearly a year of work experience at LITE Recovery Hub, Makia has embraced every opportunity. “The school and JAG have helped me in so many ways to pursue my dream in the criminal justice field,” she shared.

Makia also highlighted the incredible support she received from Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC) and WCHS staff members Holly Ault, Pete Barnett and Taylor Myers. “These three have completely changed my life. They have supported me and been my backbone throughout this whole path,” she said. “From freshman to senior year, they’ve been my people and have shown how much they truly care about me and other kids at WCHS.”

Ben Barkey, Principal of the Warsaw Area Career Center, praised Makia’s exceptional dedication and achievement: “It’s not often that you encounter a student who truly transcends the boundaries of a high school education, but Makia is one of those rare individuals. From her leadership as the JAG High School President-Elect, to being named JAG Indiana's Outstanding Senior, to most recently earning her Associate’s degree from Ivy Tech, Makia has consistently demonstrated drive, resilience and excellence.”

This fall, Makia will continue her studies at Ball State University, where she plans to earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and pursue her dream of becoming a federal investigator with the FBI.

Dr. David Hoffert, Superintendent of Warsaw Community Schools, concluded, “We are so proud of Makia and her wonderful accomplishments as a student within Warsaw Community Schools. Her dedication to many areas of community service, coupled with this high academic achievement, showcases her great accomplishments throughout her high school career.”

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Photo Provided (left to right) Tim Devlin, Assistant Principal; Dr. David Hoffert, WCS Superintendent; Sarah Roberts, WCHS Counselor; Makia Lucas; Pete Barnet, WCHS Graduation Coach; Holly Ault, WACC Program Coordinator; Taylor Myers, Region 2 JAG Coordinator