The October 2021 elementary student of the month at Ignite Christian Academy (ICA) is Ethan Beesley, a 5th grade student from the Central Piedmont region of Virginia. A first-year student at ICA, Ethan has exceeded his own expectations of success while enrolled in an online school.
“When I found out that I was student of the month, I was really surprised because all I have wanted was to do good in school,” he said. “I was so proud and appreciative that I was named student of the month for ICA because I know how many great students this school has.”
Elementary teacher Shannon Coyle nominated Ethan for his strong work ethic and kind heart.
“Ethan is a smart student who puts in great effort,” wrote elementary teacher Shannon Coyle. “I’m always impressed by the detail he uses when answering. He also makes sure he is completing projects correctly. Based on our zoom calls, I can tell Ethan is a kind soul and a person after Jesus’ own heart.”
My ICA Story
This is my first year being at ICA. My mom chose to do the Horizons program when I was in kindergarten. Once the pandemic hit, my parents decided to enroll me officially with ICA. My parents wanted me to be enrolled in ICA because they wanted me to learn more about God and have a better education than what public school has to offer.
ICA has definitely been more challenging than public school, so the first week of ICA was hard for me. I realized though that I did not know how much I was capable of handling. I have learned so much and have grown a lot as a student in such a short period of time with ICA.
Why I Love ICA
I like this style of learning because I don’t have to get up early in the morning, I get mental breaks whenever I need, I have the ability to spend more time with my family, and I have more opportunities during the day to have fun doing things I enjoy doing that I would not be able to do if I was in public school.
My Favorite Subject
I like all of the subjects because they are full of good information, they are engaging, and they are challenging.
My Faith
One of the coolest things I have ever done was decide to get baptized when I was only seven years old. I had been asking my parents if I could be baptized since I was five years old, but my parents wanted to make sure I was ready. I was so excited because my church said I had to be at least 8 years old, but I was so certain and committed to my walk with Jesus Christ that the church let me get baptized early. My dad got to be in the pool with me when I got baptized. It was a really cool experience!
My Family
I have a sister who is 7. Her name is Katie, and she is also enrolled at ICA. We like to play outside together, watch certain shows, help each other with Mind Craft, play board games, and build forts. Before the pandemic we were mostly siblings, but now our relationship has grown, and she is a really great sister which is even better than a BFF.
One thing that is unique about me is that I play World of Warcraft with both of my parents. I also have a mother who has a rare eye disease called Stargardt’s, which makes her legally blind. Because of my mom’s disability, I have had to do a lot more around the house and in public to help her.
My Hobbies
I like to ride my bike, read Calvin and Hobbes, and play outside. I also like to play games that engage my creative side like building theme parks online and World of Warcraft. I love to play piano and cook, which are two new hobbies I have. I am also excited because this school allows me to become a sixth grader sooner, which means I get to volunteer at my church as a mentor sooner!
My Goals
As I look ahead to high school, I want to get into more advanced math and science classes. Another thing when I get to high school, I get to choose elective classes and customize my learning path to what I want to be when I graduate. I am also excited to graduate from high school early on my way to achieving my career.
My Dream Job
I want to be a scientist and an astronaut because I want to go to the ISS and find a cure for Stargardt’s disease.
My Words of Wisdom
When you are trying to accomplish something in school or in life, don’t just do the bare minimum. Go above and beyond and do the best you can.