Ethan Ristu '24 attended the 2023 West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference on March 16, 2023, at George Mason University Arlington Campus. Each year, over 200 local high school juniors participate in the workshop. Each has been identified as a school leader. During the day, they learned how to deal with leadership and ethical challenges using West Point’s ethical decision-making model. It is based upon the model and framework taught to Cadets at the United States Military Academy.

The day is designed to help develop leaders of character and instill a sense of lifelong integrity. This is accomplished in two ways. First, they followed a workshop method where the students went through instruction, break-out sessions, and practical exercises, including scenarios that caused them to think and apply the Ethical Decision-Making Model. During the process, student delegates practiced the arts of critical thinking and moral reasoning to explore the ethical challenges raised in various vignettes. Second, they were given the tools and guidance to go and share their learnings with others when they got home. So, this day was not only an incredible experience for the select students, it is also a “train the trainer” event with the goal to enable them as leaders to share these methods and models with their peers, who can be their athletic team, the student body, or even various community organizations.

At the end of the day, the facilitators pick the best performers who distinguished themselves during the day. Based upon his effort, attitude, and insights, Ethan was chosen as one of these top 30 contributors. They are given a take home scenario and do a final essay demonstrating knowledge and application of the decision-making model. Even among these elite high-potential students, Ethan distinguished himself yet again and excelled, earning one of only six college scholarships from submissions.

Other Prep students who attended were: Robert Apgood '24, Connor Bellaman '24, Sean Beilke '24, Hudson Caulfield '24, Austin Markva '24, and Max Yellin '24

Sean Beilke, Ethan Ristu, Connor Bellaman, Austin Markva, Max Yellin 
not pictured: Robert Apgood and Hudson Caulfield