Once Ethan Graham discovered a passion for mechanical engineering, he didn’t wait until after high school to dive headfirst into the field. 

The St. Francis senior has spent the last two years balancing his high school education with undergraduate studies at Fort Hays Tech Northwest in Goodland. 

“I like problem solving,” Graham said. “It’s something I’ve always been interested in, so when I heard about this opportunity, it was something new and different, so I decided to take it. It has worked out amazing for me.”

Not only have those studies armed Graham with a wealth of knowledge for his future career path, it’s helped Graham become a leader and indispensable part of his high school. 

“He is an invaluable peer leader during St. Francis athletic and extracurricular activities,” St. Francis athletic director Holly Hingst said. “Ethan’s charisma allows him to be a role model that many peers look to for guidance as they navigate their own paths. 

“Ethan has the ability to bring out the best in his peers, offering guidance and support to those who need it and fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.”

Graham credits his experience studying mechanical engineering for helping hone his leadership skills. 

“Early in high school, I was actually a pretty shy kid and kept to myself, a little timid,” Graham said. “Honestly, I think coming to Fort Hays Tech Northwestreally helped open me up. I’m working with kids that are older than me and it’s more of a professional environment, and that helped me step up back at the high school.

“I love trying new things and seeing where I can go.”

Graham, the Capitol Federal® True Blue®  Student of the Week, participated in football and golf at St. Francis among other extracurricular activities, which includes serving as vice president of the school’s National Honor Society club.

“It’s really important to have somebody to look up to, somebody that can help when you’re going through things,” Graham said. “I try to be a role model and show them what you can do as a high school student. A lot of them think you have to be older before you can do big things, and I just want to show them that you can do anything.”

Graham makes the 30-minute drive from St. Francis to Goodland for his studies at Fort Hays Tech in the morning, then heads back to St. Francis for his high school studies in the afternoon. 

“Last year, it was a little rough, trying to get it figured out,” Graham said. “My instructors (at Fort Hays Tech) and my teachers in high school have been willing to work with me and do whatever it takes to benefit me.”

His undergraduate studies in mechanical engineering include taking on CNC (Computer Numerical Control) projects. 

“This year the program has worked with Sternberg Museum in Hays,” Graham said. “We went there and 3-D scanned some of their fossils and came back and 3-D printed them so they could use them in some of their exhibits. It was one of the cool things we got to work on this year.”

Thriving in physics, calculus and advanced composition, Graham is ranked No. 1 in his class with a 3.907 grade-point average 

“Ethan has the ability to think logically and use his quick wit to find solutions that other students potentially overlook,” Hingst said. 

Graham has used his skills to benefit St. Francis, designing a new sign in front of the school. He’s also had a hand in several community projects. He helped paint new parking lines and has worked concessions to help with fundraising efforts for future projects. Graham also has helped clean up yards around town and plans to volunteer at an upcoming blood drive. 

“The community is awesome,” Graham said. “It’s the most support you’ll ever have. Everybody knows everybody. The community shows up for everything. In a small town, a strong community is all you really have. The endless support is incredible.”

Graham will continue his mechanical engineering studies at Kansas State University with plans on eventually working in the aerospace industry. 

“I’ve always been interested in space, but coming (to Fort Hays Tech) and learning about mechanical systems has made me even more interested in that area,” he said.

Graham said he’ll soak up the last couple months of his high school career. 

“It’s awesome to reflect back on it, but it’s also a little sad,” Graham said. “I’m going to cherish the last little bit of time I have left here.”