American Indian Model Schools
Under the leadership of Ben Chavis (Lumbee), a Native American professor, AIPCS students made considerable progress in academic scores from 2000 to 2007, and enrollment increased at the school. The first middle school, AIPCS, received national recognition in 2007. Some of Chavis's disciplinary methods and his treatment of students and teachers generated controversy, and he resigned as principal in 2007. But the board voted to maintain him in an influential executive role at the school and with the model school system. In 2012 Chavis ended his ties with the charter system (although his children remained as students) and returned to his home state of North Carolina.
Betsy Bobel
Betsy Bobel Opyt is a Registered Dietitian, Entrepreneur, Spoksperson, and American Fitness & Fashion Model. She became Miss Indiana in 2000. After winning, Betsy took her platform for healthy lifestyle to many schools and communities working with the Indiana Department of Education. Betsy is the president/CEO of Betsy's Best a line of gourmet nut and seed butters featuring functional food ingredients for a unique taste and texture. Her products can be found nationwide and she is the spokesperson for the brand. The Betsy's Best Brand has created a scholarship for the Miss Indiana program that will give back to an organization that helped Betsy begin her career. Betsy was also named 2015 Florida's Young Mother of the Year by American Mothers Organization.