When Ellis Wells arrived at Roger Bacon, he knew what he was looking for.

He wanted a school where he could meet people different from himself, become part of a close-knit community and grow into the person he hoped to become.

What he didn’t know yet was just how quickly Roger Bacon would begin to feel like his school.

A graduate of Nativity School, Ellis says diversity was one of the biggest reasons he chose Roger Bacon.

“I truly value diversity in my day-to-day life because it gives me opportunities to meet new people every day,” he said. “I love the close-knit community that RB has and how it was — and still is — so welcoming to me, my family and all who walk the halls.”

For Ellis, that feeling really clicked at his first Roger Bacon football game.

“That was when I realized all of these people will help me grow into the person I want to be.”

And Ellis has done plenty of growing already.

He plays boys volleyball at Roger Bacon and club volleyball for Cincinnati Attack, serves with the youth at his church on Sundays and hopes to become both a Spartan Leader and a member of Student Senate in the years ahead.

But one opportunity has already changed his Roger Bacon experience in a significant way.

Ellis was selected to participate in Roger Bacon’s Jamaica mission trip.

“I was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Jamaica,” he said. “Not only to go to Jamaica, but to impact the people around me, including my peers from RB. I can honestly say that because I went on that trip, my relationship with my classmates and teachers who went has grown significantly.”

One of those teachers was Ms. Douglas, Ellis’ freshman English teacher.

Although he learned plenty of English in her classroom, Ellis says the lessons that stuck with him went much further.

“I feel like she taught me something more — how to be myself with maturity and bring others up with me.”

That lesson fits nicely with the person Ellis hopes to become.

After high school, he wants to become a high school history teacher and make the same kind of difference for a student that his own teachers have made for him.

His Roger Bacon experience has already made him more confident in doing something that once made him nervous: simply putting himself out there.

“On my first day of orientation, I was as nervous as you could be,” Ellis said. “Now, a year later, I can only think how different it would’ve been if I had put myself out there and met my amazing peers sooner.”

That is also why his advice to prospective students is pretty simple.

“Think about the person you want to become and ask how RB can help you do that,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to talk to people on your shadow day either. I promise they don’t bite!”

As a student ambassador often hosting shadows, Ellis makes sure there is one thing they notice: students and teachers helping one another.

He also thinks they are sometimes surprised by the balance Roger Bacon gives its students.

“The freedom and responsibility that we’re given,” he said, “but also the love that is received — even if it’s tough love.”

Perhaps his most “only at Roger Bacon” experience came during his freshman year during the annual Make A Difference Day.

“In the morning, I was shoveling dirt off the ground and picking up sticks,” Ellis said. “And in the afternoon, I was coaching Powderpuff football and having an amazing time with my friends. That is the magic of Roger Bacon.”

Work. Service. Leadership. Friendship.

All in the same day.

Something people may not know about Ellis is that he was adopted from Ethiopia when he was nine months old.

He loves UDF peach ice cream, and is firmly team Skyline — so firmly, in fact, that he celebrated his 13th birthday there.

His biggest accomplishment at Roger Bacon so far?

Getting to Jamaica.

His biggest regret?

Not getting involved even sooner.

Fortunately for Ellis, there is still plenty of time for that.

And if his first years at Roger Bacon are any indication, he’s just getting started.