Age
19
Gender
Male
Ethnicity
Caucasian
Hobbies and interests
Genetics
Research
Writing
Baking
Art
Photography and Photo Editing
Graphic Design
Foreign Languages
Geography
Spending Time With Friends and Family
Video Editing and Production
Crafting
French
Board Games And Puzzles
Statistics
Chemistry
History
Food And Eating
English
Learning
Cooking
Walking
Cleaning
Collecting
Linguistics
Studying
Science
Reading
Academic
Memoir
Biography
Historical
History
Literature
Realistic Fiction
Science
Tragedy
True Story
French
Poetry
I read books multiple times per week
Ethan Orchanian
3,555
Bold Points2x
Finalist1x
WinnerEthan Orchanian
3,555
Bold Points2x
Finalist1x
WinnerBio
To achieve success, I strive to ameliorate myself both educationally and personally. I aspire to earn a 4-year degree and secure a career that pertains to science, research, writing, and design.
In terms of passions, my adoration of genealogy takes center stage. I’ve invested countless hours preserving family stories, collecting photographs, contacting relatives, and scouring archives for my ancestors. Nevertheless, I too find delight in linguistics, photography and video production, graphics and design, technology and editing, art, and literature.
From a young age, I’ve always felt a mix of obligation, pride, and ambition in meeting schooling demands. I've taken "advanced" classes for a handful of years and am now enrolled in AP, IB, College, and Honors courses. In addition, I've recently been accepted to the NSHSS.
On a broader scale, I'm a true believer in world peace and universal social equality, and I seek the day where tensions domestic and abroad can be reasonably subdued. Socially-speaking, I always respect others. I try to be friendly and considerate to everyone I meet, and a general awareness guides my speech. I consider my character sentimental but realistic, ethical, and self-disciplined, and I own up to my actions and mistakes. I make it my mission to put forth my best self, and I do hope to leave an impression on the Earth.
Education
Ballston Spa Senior High School
High SchoolGPA:
4
Central High School East and West
High SchoolGPA:
4
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Bachelor's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Genetics
- Chemistry
- Science, Technology and Society
- Physical Sciences, General
- Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
- Biology, General
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Career
Dream career field:
Science - Broadly
Dream career goals:
Versatile - Researcher/Experimenter/Entrepreneur
Sports
Basketball
2016 – 20171 year
Baseball
2011 – 20154 years
Awards
- Various Trophies
- Honor of playing in a professional stadium
Cross-Country Running
2014 – 20162 years
Golf
2018 – 2018
Research
Genealogy
Independent Project — Researcher/Translator/Developer/Manager2017 – PresentChemistry
Rio Vista Middle School’s Science Department — Group member/Researcher2018 – 2019Environmental Design
Central High School’s Science Department — Project designer/Researcher - Incomplete due to pandemic2019 – 2020Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
Liddell Elementary’s Robotic’s Team — Researcher/Builder/Coder2015 – 2017Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
Rio Vista Middle School’s Science Department — Sole Researcher/Project Director2018 – 2018History
National History Day through Rio Vista Middle School — Developer/Manager2019 – 2019
Arts
Ballston Spa High School’s Yearbook Club
DesignBallston Spa High School's 2022-23 Yearbook2022 – 2023Independent projects
Photography2021 – PresentCentral High School’s French Department
CinematographyShort, student-produced film, French song competition - concert canceled due to pandemic2020 – 2020Central Unified School District’s Band Program
Music1st place in 2016 concert - assortment of pieces, National Anthem Recital at Football Stadium, Several in-school productions2015 – 2017
Public services
Volunteering
Independent — Tutor2022 – 2023Volunteering
FamilySearch — Independent Transcriber2021 – Present
Future Interests
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
#Back2SchoolBold Scholarship
@echo_e.k.o
Ask for help when you need it.
Once passed down from a teacher to me, following this simple tidbit will make for an excellent start to the year.
Students often fear that asking for help admits weakness and forfeits one’s academic independence, though it’s quite the contrary. Seeking help—whether from a teacher, peer, counselor, or other figure—builds a fuller relationship with your school community and attests to your investment in education. Noteworthier yet, requesting help is an enrichment opportunity. Whether you’re struggling with an academic concept or need clarification on a project or task, your advisors will be grateful to assist. And upon reaching out, you’ll feel refreshed and better prepared for the challenges ahead, especially the sooner you do so. Between the modes of in-person and digital communication, help is truly always accessible.
Securing a relationship with school familiars early on, particularly teachers, proves vital, and there’s no wiser way than through inquiry. Plus, entering the year by taking authority over your schooling destines you to leave a positive, lasting impression that you can ride on throughout the school term. You’ve got this in the bag!
Bold Legacy Scholarship
WinnerWhile visiting my great-grandmother’s headstone a couple of years back, I noticed a petite yet marvelous bench around the memorial garden’s edge. “Sit down and stay awhile,” its plaque offered affectionately. Intrigued, I learned the seat was dedicated to a kind-hearted, scholarly young adult whose life was regrettably cut short. Though we’d never met, I felt touched by the inviting granite slab and found solace in knowing that his legacy tangibly lives on.
As I consider my image today, I dream of being known, being remembered. I wish to serve the world an invaluable gift: to make a scientific breakthrough, compose a breathtaking piece of literature, develop a technology that conveniences everyday life, and spread laughter and positivity through video and art, among other things.
On a more personal level, I aspire to make friends and family smile and spread equality. Moreover, I aim to boost others through selflessness, compassion, and acceptance. I regularly compliment others and share with them, too, whether it’s advice and knowledge or a thoughtful gift. In the same regard, I hope one day to earn the finances to give back to the community; to fund environmental and human rights projects, feed tables, support local businesses, and clothe those in need. Such efforts don’t seek my glorification but rather yield warm fuzzy feelings inside. I feel empowered and driven to write my legacy to validate our generation and prove its invincible future. Some say villainous actions are the most infamous, but my footprint is to overturn that notion.
As an avid family genealogist, discovering ancestors and relatives who were doctors, local heroes, veterans, and refugees has been inspirational. Hence, honoring them has become my lifelong mission. I can only strive to amount to their successes, perhaps having a petite bench of my own erected one day.
Bold Listening Scholarship
As a little tyke, I’d have the audacity to obnoxiously raise my hand during family dinners, itching to blurt out a silly thought reckoned within two seconds. By contrast, in recent years, I’ve realized how listening to others is far more crucial.
In conversation, I do this conscientiously by maintaining healthy eye contact, affirming their thoughts with timely nods and expressions, and displaying a warm, open presence. I keep patience on my side and refrain from interjecting or redirecting the narrative toward myself. Furthermore, I match my volume, tone, and demeanor to theirs in hopes of making them feel as comfortable as possible. I employ this with everyone—educators, friends, family, and strangers alike. Essentially, I convey this methodology trilaterally to say, “you are understood, you are respected, you have my undivided attention.”
A friend and I recently debated the execution of a COVID-19 mask protest at our school. Though we had differing views, we listened to each other’s reasoning with outstanding attentiveness and, in the end, calmly decided to agree to disagree. Simple as that. Plus, thoughtlessly shouting over one another is so unproductive!
To me, active listening was made to be a symbiotic interaction. This is why listening is the gateway to honest, understanding conversation. The microphone must be bounced back between parties in a balanced manner. This idea is not exceptional but rather fundamental. For this reason, every great leader must double as an apt listener and thinker. Considerate listening allows an individual to be more mindful and sharper, building trust and friendship in any relationship.
Most importantly, listening signifies learning. I myself am an auditory learner, so I thrive by listening to others—their stories, their hardships, their jokes, their suggestions—it’s unbeatable. Ultimately, it’s always best to listen to others because you never know when you’re losing out.