Dare to Excel: Ethan King

Posted 1/16/23

For high-performing students, curiosity for learning new things about topics they’ve never explored is often a defining trait. That can be how students like Warrenton High School senior Ethan …

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Dare to Excel: Ethan King

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For high-performing students, curiosity for learning new things about topics they’ve never explored is often a defining trait. That can be how students like Warrenton High School senior Ethan King end up taking classes in psychology, astronomy, mythology, and body building all at the same time.

Several of King’s classes are college-level courses as well, helping him prepare for a quicker path through higher education. He plans to graduate high school with more than a full year of college credit.

“I don’t really know what I’m going to do yet, once I go to college, so I’m trying to get a wide range of classes just to see what I enjoy the most,” King commented. The senior is also enrolled in band classes and a roster of more standard high school courses.

Outside of classes, King participates in marching band in the fall and golf in the spring, and is a member of National Honor Society.

Q: What classes are you enjoying most?
“Probably the sciences. Astronomy I really like. I took physics last year with the same teacher, and that really shot me in that direction.”

Q: What is it about science that you enjoy?
“I have good memory, so I think I can memorize stuff like that pretty well. I’m in astronomy this year, and I didn’t know anything about space until I started taking it, and I was like, ‘Wow, there’s so much stuff going on all the time that you don’t know about.’”

Q: What school subject is challenging for you?
“I’m pretty bad at math, but when I do the math in science, I feel like I’m good at it. ... As soon as it gets applied to something that’s not just the numbers, I feel like I can do it fine.”

Q: Is there any way of studying that’s helped you with math?
“I think the teacher is a big part of it for me, because everybody teaches it in a different way. But also, the effort matters. Last year, I slacked off a little bit, and my grades reflected that. This year, I’m trying really hard, and my grade is also reflecting that.”

Q: Is there any good advice for school you’ve gotten from a teacher or mentor?
“Yeah, if you’re gonna have to take the class either way ... putting in a little extra effort goes a long way. ... Going in after school or before school, just to get an extra 20 minutes of solo help from a teacher, is really helpful.
“Having a good relationship with the teachers is really helpful, too, because once they get to know you, they know your strong suits and your weaknesses, and they can guide those solo sessions toward what you need to succeed.”

Q: Is there anything special you do to keep all your activities and homework organized?
“I just try to keep as much discipline on myself as possible. I don’t like to see my grades drop.

Q: What are your plans after high school?
“I’m using A+ (scholarship) to go to SCC for a year. I’m going to use that year to take a bunch of classes and see what I like. Right now the idea is to go into some kind of science or criminal justice.”

Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite movie: “Django Unchained”
Favorite show: “Better Call Saul”
Favorite musician: Kendrick Lamar
Favorite destination: Chicago



Dare to Excel, Warrenton High School

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