Monday, December 01, 2008

Ripon Christian High School senior

last updated: January 30, 2008 04:56:18 PM

Computers, singing, drama, leadership, writing, music, Scouting, and traveling. No one activity defines Spencer Ellsworth.

One of the most apparent things about Spencer is his love for computers and technology. He works on computers for his father's financial business, fixing whatever problems arise.

Spencer was also the "tech support" for a school drama production. He operated lights and sound for Ripon Christian's play "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever."

In addition, he is on a technology committee at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, which makes decisions on the technology the church uses.

"I've always had a love for computers as far as fixing things and messing around," Spencer said.

He also combines his passion for technology with another love: music. Using a computer program, Spencer mixes music digitally. "A friend got me interested in techno music and now I enjoy mixing stuff for fun," he said. "I like music and computers, so I just combine the two."

Besides mixing music, Spencer sings with his school's all-male choir, the Knight Guys, and plays the piano. He also plays the American Indian flute. He became interested in this instrument through his involvement in a Venture Crew, a coed group that is part of Boy Scouts.

Spencer has done a lot of traveling. In 2005, he was nominated to be a student ambassador and got to go to Europe for three weeks. Also, he has been to every state except Hawaii, where he will be spending spring break. "My parents' goal is to get my sister and me to all 50 before I graduate," he said. "My favorite place to visit was Alaska because I really like the cold weather."

As busy as Spencer is, he has been involved in leadership at school, reads many books at a time and is even working on making a shirt out of chain metal to wear to a Renaissance fair. He does all of this while maintaining a 4.17 GPA and taking online courses, such as integrated mechanical physics with logical reasoning.

Though Spencer has not decided where he wants to go to college, he wants to major in computer science.

HOBBIES: Reading, camping and computers

FAMILY: Parents, John and Judy; sister, Melanie, 16

BIGGEST INFLUENCE: "My pastors and former math teacher have been my biggest influence with regard to my goals as well as my life generally."

LAST BOOK I READ FOR PLEASURE: "A Game of Thrones," by George Martin

FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Stargate Atlantis"

FAVORITE MOVIE: "Braveheart" or "Phantom of the Opera"

FAVORITE BANDS: Nightwish, Demon Hunter and Rammstein

BIGGEST FEAR: Having my plans for the future radically changed by something.

WHAT I WOULD TELL THE PRESIDENT: Decide who you're going to support in this upcoming election because there are so many candidates. Also, lessen government control over so many aspects of life.

ADVICE FOR KIDS: Try out lots of different things. Don't follow the mainstream, because no matter how unusual an interest might be, you might be able to make a career out of it.

ADVICE FOR ADULTS: Let your kids try lots of activities. Don't try to push them into a mold too early, but at the same time, set standards for how they should be living.

WHERE I'LL BE IN 10 YEARS: I hope to be working with robots or artificial intelligence.

-- KATIE MUSSMAN,

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