Indianapolis Teacher Wins Award for Student Travel Plan
Angie Gibbs earns recognition for a program that helps families fund international school trips through local work.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Angie Gibbs, a teacher at Irvington Preparatory Academy, recently received the WISH-TV Golden Apple Award for her commitment to student equity. The honor recognizes her 27-year career and her leadership of a long-running student travel program in Indianapolis.
Why it matters
The award highlights the impact of extracurricular fundraising initiatives on student access to global learning. By bridging financial gaps, programs like this ensure that educational travel is attainable for students regardless of their background.
The award includes a $500 cash prize and a school supply shopping spree for the educator. This follows the efforts of eight nominating students who participate in a fundraising model established in 2013.
The players
Angie Gibbs
An educator at Irvington Preparatory Academy with 27 years of experience who leads an international travel club for students.
Irvington Preparatory Academy
An Indianapolis secondary school that serves as the base for the Roving Ravens Travel Club.
WISH-TV
An Indianapolis news organization that identifies and honors local educators through its Golden Apple Award program.
The details
Students in the Roving Ravens Travel Club fundraise for international trips by working at concession stands at Lucas Oil Stadium. The program utilizes project-based learning to help students earn funds for travel expenses. Gibbs has managed this initiative since 2013 to provide equitable travel experiences for all students.
Timeline
2013: Angie Gibbs launched the student travel fundraising program.
October 2026: Angie Gibbs received the Golden Apple Award from WISH-TV.
The Home Front
This initiative reflects broader efforts to address student equity in extracurricular activities, a key focus area for local school board policies. It aligns with documented trends of using project-based fundraising to subsidize travel costs for high school families.
Families with students interested in global travel should check if their school offers similar project-based fundraising or club opportunities. Parents can support these programs by identifying local volunteer or fundraising partnerships that help lower individual trip costs.
The takeaway
Student-led fundraising can significantly reduce the cost of international education for Indianapolis households. Families interested in these opportunities should track upcoming club activities to understand potential travel timelines for Australia, Rwanda, Japan, and Iceland.
Further reading
Learn more about local classroom initiatives in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic.
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