Dear Sir or Madam: I write on behalf of Ethan Morlu and believe Ethan to be an exemplary student-scholar as well as a person of tremendous character with significant leadership skills. I heard of Ethan before I met him. A fellow teacher came into my office and announced that he had one of the most studious and self-reflective students he had encountered in the classroom. The young man I encountered in my AP Physics C class that next year was, in fact, quite enthusiastic for his studies and a solid, conscientious student. Full of questions, Ethan regularly participated in class discussions and probed the materials with a zest for learning. I was more struck by his openness to the world and new ideas than his analytic ability. What happened over the past semester was rather astounding from my perspective and a lesson to me not to underestimate any student. Ethan still has a refreshing wide-eyed quality about him, but he is now more fully self-possessed and has a command of analytic reasoning that places him in the top 1% of the students I have encountered here at Woodbridge Senior High School. His enthusiasm and energy have been matched over the year with a discipline that is remarkable in someone his age. This discipline is not about study habits, though I would note that he always seems to be ahead of schedule, turning in assignments early and working on projects weeks and months in advance. His discipline is a commitment to learning. As evidence of this discipline, I offer his engagement with me. While Ethan did not always receive the top grade in class in general, he continues to seek out my advice and feedback. Although he has stellar performances in other classes, he sought me out on concept questions, asked for lab re-write recommendations and generally kept a running dialogue with me. In fact, as I have watched his progress over the year, I note with amazement his ability to handle criticism and to grow and learn from it. Where other students turn defensive, Ethan wades in absorbing other perspectives and viewpoints, debating ideas, adjusting his conclusions as necessary. He is undaunted but properly reflective, a rare combination that speaks volumes, I believe, about his abilities as a scholar and a leader. In sum, I highly recommend Ethan for your scholarship. I believe his proposed course of study is suitable and builds on his many strengths. His animating spirit and disciplined approach to learning make him particularly well suited to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you, Emily Griese Physics Teacher Woodbridge Senior High School 703-497-8000 grieseee@pwcs.edu
Dear Sir or Madam: I write on behalf of Ethan Morlu and believe Ethan to be an exemplary student-scholar as well as a person of tremendous character with significant leadership skills. I heard of Ethan before I met him. A fellow teacher came into my office and announced that he had one of the most studious and self-reflective students he had encountered in the classroom. The young man I encountered in my AP Physics C class that next year was, in fact, quite enthusiastic for his studies and a solid, conscientious student. Full of questions, Ethan regularly participated in class discussions and probed the materials with a zest for learning. I was more struck by his openness to the world and new ideas than his analytic ability. What happened over the past semester was rather astounding from my perspective and a lesson to me not to underestimate any student. Ethan still has a refreshing wide-eyed quality about him, but he is now more fully self-possessed and has a command of analytic reasoning that places him in the top 1% of the students I have encountered here at Woodbridge Senior High School. His enthusiasm and energy have been matched over the year with a discipline that is remarkable in someone his age. This discipline is not about study habits, though I would note that he always seems to be ahead of schedule, turning in assignments early and working on projects weeks and months in advance. His discipline is a commitment to learning. As evidence of this discipline, I offer his engagement with me. While Ethan did not always receive the top grade in class in general, he continues to seek out my advice and feedback. Although he has stellar performances in other classes, he sought me out on concept questions, asked for lab re-write recommendations and generally kept a running dialogue with me. In fact, as I have watched his progress over the year, I note with amazement his ability to handle criticism and to grow and learn from it. Where other students turn defensive, Ethan wades in absorbing other perspectives and viewpoints, debating ideas, adjusting his conclusions as necessary. He is undaunted but properly reflective, a rare combination that speaks volumes, I believe, about his abilities as a scholar and a leader. In sum, I highly recommend Ethan for your scholarship. I believe his proposed course of study is suitable and builds on his many strengths. His animating spirit and disciplined approach to learning make him particularly well suited to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you, Emily Griese Physics Teacher Woodbridge Senior High School 703-497-8000 grieseee@pwcs.edu
Dear Sir or Madam: I write on behalf of Ethan Morlu and believe Ethan to be an exemplary student-scholar as well as a person of tremendous character with significant leadership skills. I heard of Ethan before I met him. A fellow teacher came into my office and announced that he had one of the most studious and self-reflective students he had encountered in the classroom. The young man I encountered in my AP Physics C class that next year was, in fact, quite enthusiastic for his studies and a solid, conscientious student. Full of questions, Ethan regularly participated in class discussions and probed the materials with a zest for learning. I was more struck by his openness to the world and new ideas than his analytic ability. What happened over the past semester was rather astounding from my perspective and a lesson to me not to underestimate any student. Ethan still has a refreshing wide-eyed quality about him, but he is now more fully self-possessed and has a command of analytic reasoning that places him in the top 1% of the students I have encountered here at Woodbridge Senior High School. His enthusiasm and energy have been matched over the year with a discipline that is remarkable in someone his age. This discipline is not about study habits, though I would note that he always seems to be ahead of schedule, turning in assignments early and working on projects weeks and months in advance. His discipline is a commitment to learning. As evidence of this discipline, I offer his engagement with me. While Ethan did not always receive the top grade in class in general, he continues to seek out my advice and feedback. Although he has stellar performances in other classes, he sought me out on concept questions, asked for lab re-write recommendations and generally kept a running dialogue with me. In fact, as I have watched his progress over the year, I note with amazement his ability to handle criticism and to grow and learn from it. Where other students turn defensive, Ethan wades in absorbing other perspectives and viewpoints, debating ideas, adjusting his conclusions as necessary. He is undaunted but properly reflective, a rare combination that speaks volumes, I believe, about his abilities as a scholar and a leader. In sum, I highly recommend Ethan for your scholarship. I believe his proposed course of study is suitable and builds on his many strengths. His animating spirit and disciplined approach to learning make him particularly well suited to take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you, Emily Griese Physics Teacher Woodbridge Senior High School 703-497-8000 grieseee@pwcs.edu