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Etaba Assigana

Biography

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUNG SCHOLAR EXPERIENCE: Etaba traveled to Spain for a five-week immersion program that not only improved his comprehension and competency in Spanish, but also “opened the world” for him. He spent two summers exploring an interest in computers, studying probability and game theory at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the fundamentals of computer science at Loyola Marymount University.

PROFILE: If it takes a village to raise a child, then Etaba, having grown up in a single-parent household, saw his village grow considerably after being named a Young Scholar. “The experiences, knowledge, and friendships I have gained are all gifts that I will cherish for the rest of my life.” Etaba’s childhood ambition to become a Power Ranger still resonates for him. “I am now old enough to know that no human could summon giant mechanical ‘Zords’ to stop an evil sorceress. However, I still cling to that dream of doing something great for the world in my lifetime.”

INSPIRATION: Etaba singles out his mother as the greatest influence in his life. After skipping a grade at one school, his mother transferred him to another that might offer greater challenges and diversity. “She has raised me with the freedom to explore my interests and see what they help me achieve.”

ASPIRATION: Etaba hopes to pursue a career in graphic design, web development, and/or video game development. “When I first learned who Bill Gates was, he inspired me to pursue my interest in computers. Seeing his success was a great motivation.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Etaba was Vice President of the Multicultural Student Alliance and a Program Coordinator for the Eastern Educational Resource Collaborative High School Diversity Leadership Conference during his time at the Landon School. He was also a two-time school delegate for the National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference.

ACCOLADES: Etaba is a two-time Dean's List student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also placed second in the Youth Essay Division of the 2009 Larry Neal Writer's Awards, a writing competition open to the entirety of Washington D.C. residents.

INTERESTING FACT: Etaba is a practitioner of parkour, breakdancing, and is on the committee (as well as a contributor) for a student publication at the Georgia Institute of Technology. An aspiring trilingual, he is studying Japanese to add to his repertoire of English and Spanish.

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