Meet Wenatchee Valley College student Ethan Kamphaus. This spring, Ethan received exciting news – he was accepted to the Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, Mont., and he was named to Washington’s All-Academic Team for his academic achievements. “I was very surprised because I usually get good grades, but to actually be recognized was really surprising!” he said. 

A current Wenatchee High School senior on the WHS baseball team, Ethan decided to join the WVC Running Start program to broaden his horizons as a student. “I wanted to experience a college environment, and I wanted to challenge myself with harder classes.” 

Ethan will graduate in June from WHS and WVC with his Associate of Arts transfer degree, before he transfers to MSU. He intends to pursue a degree in environmental biology and a minor in business. His interest in biology began at a young age when he tagged along with his dad on fishing and hunting trips throughout North Central Washington. “My dad is a fish biologist and spending time outdoors piqued my interest in environmental biology from a young age,” Ethan said. 

With a passion for learning, Ethan named his biology, math, business, and history classes as a few of his favorites. “You know how some classes can feel like a burden? Well, in my biology classes, I want to get a good grade because I actually enjoy the subject and want to keep going,” Ethan said. 

Professor Jaime Ramirez’s history classes were another favorite of Ethan’s. “His way of teaching was so focused that it made you engage even if it wasn’t the most interesting thing to you,” he said.  

Ethan shared that his favorite memories at WVC started his very first week at the college: “After starting the first few weeks of my first quarter, I was like, this is so much better than high school! You actually get to pick [the classes] you want to and you get to focus on your interests.” The community Ethan found through Running Start is apparent, as he spoke about his experience balancing high school, college, and baseball, Ethan waved to friends from class walking by in the hallway of Mish ee twie. 

Since he began taking classes at the college in fall 2024, Ethan has been named to the Dean’s and President’s lists every quarter. He adjusted his work ethic to meet the demands of college. Ethan shared, “the course work is definitely harder at WVC, and I had to adapt to studying more than I had at high school.” He thanked his professors and staff like Maria Iñiguez for helping him navigate college life. 

Ethan shared this advice “join Running Start and pursue the harder classes. Even though it might seem like a challenge, it will definitely pay off in the long run, and it’s just a next step for preparing you for the next level.” 

As to the future, Ethan is excited to transfer to MSU this fall and work in the sciences. “I’m not 100% sure what I want to do, but I do know I want to work in environmental biology and have an active, engaging job in the field,” he said. “Montana State has really great research funding, and I can’t wait to study there.” 

“I’m excited for a new way of life [in Montana], and I’m ready to go to the next level, continue my education, and keep raising my level,” he said. Whatever Ethan’s future holds, it promises to be bright.