Ethan Cohen

Awards for 2017: Society and Culture and Service to the Secondary School

Year entered Emanuel: 2005

Our teachers have consistently emphasised the values of individualism, independence and critical thinking.

Ethan has calculated that since Year K he has been at Emanuel for approximately 19,012 hours. The fact that he is considering studying to be an investigative journalist makes sense, considering. His motto for life supports this choice of career too: “Think critically about everything, never take no for an answer when you’re chasing your life goals and don’t be afraid to go it alone or to try new things.”

Ethan believes that he has learnt many skills at Emanuel that he will be able to apply to life, including being inquisitive and the ability to form arguments and be persuasive. He is particularly proud of his success in Debating, competing at Representative level from 2012-2015, in the Model UN Evatt Trophy State Finals in 2016 and co-ordinating the School’s Night of Dangerous Debate in 2017.

He was described by a fellow student as “being critically engaged with both current and historical events, considerate of people, ethics and life”. Ethan’s advice to younger students in High School is to learn to structure a good argument and to be involved in as many extra-curricular activities as there is time for. Although Ethan has enjoyed his many hours as a student at Emanuel, he commented that he is ready to enjoy the next stage of his life.