Senior Spotlight: Ethan Waktkins

The Legacy of Mentorship

 BG Christian Senior Spotlight | Christian education | life-long discipleship

For Ethan Watkins, the journey through BG Christian began back in 5th grade. Over the years, he’s not only grown academically and spiritually—he’s become a familiar face of kindness, leadership, and a deep sense of legacy that will ripple through our school community long after graduation.

Whether he was belting out notes in choir, driving down the court in basketball, or stepping into character on the theatre stage, Ethan made the most of every opportunity to connect and encourage those around him. But if you ask him what accomplishment he’s most proud of, it has nothing to do with awards or accolades. Instead, he’ll tell you it’s the simple but powerful impact of making younger students feel welcomed at BG Christian. “That’s what meant the most to me,” Ethan shares. “Making sure they felt like they belonged here.”

That heart for life-long discipleship—walking alongside others and pointing them toward Christ—is exactly what BG Christian exists to nurture. And Ethan’s favorite memory? The 2023 Christmas party - a perfect picture of that community spirit. “I got to hang out with my friends about to graduate and the new kids,” he recalls. “It felt like I could be with an entire generation of people I was friends with.” Leave it to Ethan to turn a holiday party into a multi-generational class reunion!

Throughout his years here, several teachers helped shape Ethan into the leader he’s become: Mr. Bock, Mr. Williams, Mrs. Humphries, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, and Mrs. Magrum all left their mark. Whether it was through thoughtful teaching, wise mentorship, or simply showing up authentically day after day, these educators embodied the partnership BG Christian values so highly with Christian families—to develop students who not only know their purpose in Christ but live it out confidently.

When asked what he hopes never changes about BG Christian, Ethan doesn’t hesitate. He treasures the way different grade levels get to interact and build meaningful relationships. “I want that to always be part of our school,” he says. Of course, ever the honest leader, he also suggests that BG Christian could be made even better with stronger accountability for students who make it harder for others to learn and enjoy their classes. Spoken like a true advocate for a thriving learning environment!

Ethan’s next chapter is bright. He plans to attend both Owens Community College and Bowling Green State University to complete his core classes and pursue a degree in psychology. His passion for understanding people and helping others flourish is clear—and no surprise to those who’ve seen him lead with heart over the years. Along the way, he’s already been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Christian University in Dallas, Texas—a nod to both his academic promise and his commitment to Christ-centered education.

Before he steps across the graduation stage, Ethan leaves a parting word to the next generation at BG Christian (in true Ethan fashion, it sounds a little like the end of an epic novel). “My job here—you all can have,” he says with a grin. “The power I was given was passed down by Andrew, Josh, Luke, Tim, Lium, and many others to reach me. Now it’s up to all of you to find it. I left everything out there for all classmen younger than me to have and teach the younger classmen. Let’s allow the new generation to be even better than mine was.”

Ethan, thank you for investing in our school community and living out the mission of BG Christian with such intentionality. Your legacy of faith, friendship, and leadership will echo long after tassels are turned. Congratulations—you’ve finished strong, and we can’t wait to see how God uses you next.