Ethan Markel
Residence: Penn Hills
Age: 14
Family: Parents, Diane and Bill; brother, Justin, 13
School: He is entering the ninth grade at Linton Middle School, where he is a high honor roll student in the school's gifted program.
Noteworthy: Ethan is a student of the martial arts discipline known as Ninjutsu, which only recently has been opened up to the Western World. He recently spent two weeks in Japan with his father, studying under a 70-year-old Ninjutsu grandmaster who teaches styles of the self-defense method dating to the 1600s.
Background: A talented musician and artist, Ethan also plays guitar in the Linton jazz band, as well as drums, bass and keyboards outside school. He also has been recognized by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the Frick Art Museum for his work. He serves as a Pittsburgh Zoo Teen Volunteer. Several years ago, Ethan earned a ribbon in the first Children's Pillsbury Bake-Off with a recipe for pesto pizza.
Quote: "I like this form because most other martial arts are set up as sports, and there are too many rules to go with them. Ninjutsu teaches what you do to save your life. I also got to meet a lot of Americans from all over the country who go over there every year. We did a little sightseeing, but it was mostly all training because that's what you're over there for and that's what's on your mind."
-- By Tom Jewell, staff writer
