Greensburg Community High School senior, Ethan Smith, is the October Optimist Youth of the
Month. Ethan is the son of Jenny and Dan Smith. Ethan is at the top of his class with a 4.0
GPA after 6 semesters. Throughout his high school career Ethan has poured his energy and
enthusiasm into rigorous dual credit courses, such as English, Science, PLTW and Math, as
well as extracurricular activities. In addition, as of today he has only been absent twice in his
597 days of high school!
Ethan has been a three-sport athlete throughout his high school career. He is a major
contributor on the boys soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. Ethan also picked up an
additional sport this school year by kicking for the football team. At the conclusion of Ethan’s
senior soccer season, he became the first member of the 30-30 Club. He had over 30 assists
and over 30 career goals and was second on the All Time in Career Points with 139 (52 goals
and 35 assists). Additionally he was named Indiana Academic All-State and the 2024 Indiana
Coaches Association Top Team Player, received the Team Above Self Award in 2023, and was
Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Outside of soccer, Ethan has been awarded Baseball All Conference in 2025 and the Junior
Varsity Outstanding Pitcher Award in 2023. On the basketball court, Ethan earned the
Toughness Award in 2025 and the Junior Varsity Defensive Player of the Year.
In addition, Ethan has been a four year member of FCA, Student Council, SADD Club, and
Junior Optimist Club. Ethan is a member of the National Honor Society. Outside of GCHS,
Ethan has been an active participant in his church helping with St. Mary’s Youth Choir, Passion
Drama, and the Christmas Cantata. Ethan also volunteers as a coach with both his basketball
team’s Biddy Buc program as well as baseball camp. It is clear to see that Ethan has what it
takes to not only know the game, but to teach it, and model great sportsmanship to our
community’s younger players.
Ethan is this year’s Greensburg Prevention Group Community Role Model and was the district
third place, 2024 Optimist Essay Contest district winner!
There are many stanzas of the Optimist Creed that are reflected daily in Ethan’s life but
especially:
❖ To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to
permit the presence of trouble.
Congratulations Ethan!
Press Release and Photo provided by Sonja Kolkmeier
