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George Ramirez

Biography

 

Highlights of Young Scholar Experience: Raised in the Bronx, NY, after his family brought him to the US from his native Ecuador when he was five years old, George Ramirez has seemingly done it all or, rather, has taken part in most every opportunity the Foundation presented him.  Most recently, during the summer of 2010, he spent two months at the University of Maryland’s Cell Biophysics Laboratory helping the scientists there perform cutting-edge research.  The summer before found George at a five-week Chinese language immersion camp. But if you ask him what he remembers most about his time as a Young Scholar he’ll mention his first Reunion  Weekend. “One of the most inspiring moments as a Young Scholar was participating in the Reunion Weekend, where I felt as though I was a part of a family despite the fact that I had never met most of the people there.”

Profile: George has a pretty simple philosophy: "Work Hard. Be Nice. These are two very simple phrases that have gotten me to the place where I am today.”  And where George is today is a good place.  A graduate of Choate-Rosemary Hall and bound for Yale, he’s headed for even better places.  An academic stand-out at the prestigious New England prep school, George exhibited a “zeal” for campus life and for learning, as one of his advisors said. Another teacher said he had the ideal blend of intellect, tireless work ethic, enthusiasm and balanced perspective.  When George wasn’t spending time as the school’s Head Prefect or with various other extracurricular projects, he could be found off-campus at the local public library providing tutoring assistance to local children who needed help with their homework.

Inspiration: Two teachers from two different stages of his life have had a positive influence on George.  Mitch Brenner from KIPP Academy in New York taught George not only history but about the love of learning. Marq Tisdale, his high school advisor, taught him about the power of positivity and love.  He took away something special from each of them.

Aspiration: George may do something in the science world, perhaps research, but one thing is for sure – he’s a born teacher, and maybe that’s where his calling will take him ...perhaps back at Choate-Rosemary Hall or KIPP Academy.

Making a Difference: He is proud that he was admitted to Yale University under the Early Action round. He never imagined having the opportunity to attend an Ivy League school when he was a child.
Accolades: George was awarded four separate distinguished awards from his prep school – the James Eliot Oakes Prize, the Mark Pitzer Prize, the Alfred A. Cook Prize and the Ray Brown Prize. At his graduation, George was awarded the School Seal Prize for the greatest contribution to the school.

Interesting Fact: A talented musician, George enjoys playing Hip-Hop and R&B songs on his violin, “something that isn't very common, but it's really fun to take a classical instrument and make music that you hear on the radio.”

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