Jamie Haughee

Jonah Haughee’s love for the Indiana Hoosiers has taught him patience and individualism.

It is no secret to the halls of FHC that junior Jonah Haughee loves Indiana University. In a school full of Michigan State University and University of Michigan fans, his love for the Hoosiers does not go unnoticed. And although Indiana won the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship and rose to national fame this year, Jonah’s support for the team began at age nine, when the team was much worse.

“[Indiana has] always sucked,” Jonah said. “It was less about [scores and wins] and [more about] going to see stuff with my dad [at the start]. Then to hire [football coach] Curt Cignetti and come in and win all these games, it has just made the experience way better and a lot more full of joy.”

With the recent victories of the Hoosier football team, Jonah has gotten to see his favorite team win their first college football championship in program history as well as national recognition. However, the team’s traditionally poor performance has taught Jonah a lot about the importance of waiting for success.

“[Being an Indiana fan] teaches you patience,” Jonah said. “[It] teaches you how to lose, [and] that losing sucks. A lot of Indiana fans that are older than me have seen national championships in basketball [and other sports], but I’ve never seen a good [Indiana] team until now, so [being a fan] teaches you that it’s okay to not be good and just wait.”

Despite being an Indiana fan for over eight years, Jonah hasn’t always loved the school. A football game featuring Michigan and Indiana was the initial spark of his unique passion for the Hoosiers.

“When I was in fourth grade, I was more of a Michigan fan,” Jonah said. “[Then], my dad took me to see a Michigan vs. Indiana game, and [Indiana] took the kickoff and ran 70 yards. My dad was getting all into it, and that was kind of the moment that it flipped for me, [and I became an Indiana fan]. That’s probably my favorite moment [with the school].”

Jonah’s father, whose enthusiasm for the school was one of the major reasons for Jonah’s switch to becoming an Indiana fan, has enabled a deeper connection with Indiana for Jonah. Since his dad works California hours, some of the best memories Jonah has with him were crafted at Indiana sporting events, especially football games. 

“I don’t get to see [my dad] a lot because [of] the California time he works,” Jonah said. “When I’m at school, he’s sleeping, [so] when I’m back, he’s working. So just getting to go down on Saturdays [for Indiana games] and spend time with him [during] the drives [means a lot]. It’s usually just me and him. He gets to show me where he went to school, [and] it’s a pretty cool experience.”

Simply spending time with his dad has evolved into one of Jonah’s trademark passions, and as he plans to apply to Indiana for college, he has realized just how much Indiana means to him.

“It’s the only school that’s ever felt like home, [and] felt like a family,” Jonah said. “It’s cool to wear the colors. It’s cool to be the only one in the area who cheers [for them], and when people think about that school, they think about you.”

Being an Indiana fan in a Michigan high school has not been the only time Jonah has felt like he is on the “outskirts” or not as typical as his classmates. His educational path throughout the years has not always been typical or positive, so he looks to apply his experience to a career as a teacher. By shadowing Central Middle School history teacher Albi Rakipi, Jonah has gotten real experience with teaching as he thinks about his future path. 

“I’ve always had a bad experience with the education system, and I never want a kid to go through what I went through,” Jonah said. “I know I can’t change anything [in the school system], but I just want to make my classroom as welcoming as I can.  And it doesn’t matter if you’re dyslexic, dysgraphic, or [have] perfect, ‘straight As’, [it should] feel like [the classroom is] home.”

Both through his love for Indiana University and teaching, Jonah has realized the importance of welcoming others while still being confident in your own unique personality and interests. Not everyone will seamlessly fit in, so having your own passions is crucial for happiness.  

“Just let things happen,” Jonah said. “Things happen for a reason, [and] everything’s gonna happen [eventually]. It’s okay to not be the most cheered-for person. Just live your life. Be happy with who you are.”