Michael Tracy

Michael Tracy started his FMS education when he was 5 years old entering Kindergarten, followed by completing all of his elementary and middle school years on campus.

One of my favorite memories has to be a third-grade hiking trip we took to Raintree at Mt. Charleston to meet a 3000+-year-old bristlecone pine. Not all of the students made it to the top.  I didn’t think I was going to make it, but everyone on the climb encouraged me. For a distraction from the challenges, Ms. Maija (our head teacher) gave us 5-minute Mysteries to solve. I discovered I loved them. To this day, I still love mind puzzles, mysteries and all things related to critical thinking, including philosophy, psychology and of course, law. That same day, I also learned I “persevere.” I didn’t quit until I reached that bristlecone pine. The word became important to me and stuck.  It became a part of who I am, and I still never quit.

I am a Freshman attending the American University, Washington D.C.  I entered AU as a major in Political Science; however, I plan to double major in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Philosophy. Currently, I am a competitive member of the American University Mock Trial Team.

While attending Advanced Technologies Academy, I participated in Mock Trial (all four years), and was appointed the Captain of Attorneys in my senior year.  We earned the distinction of taking third place in State for 2018. In addition, I was a member of the Chess Club (with standing team invite), the Interact Club (Rotary), the treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America, and served as an ambassador for the Legal Studies program. Junior year, I was nominated by my school to attend both the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference and Nevada Boys State. I am most proud to have received The Congressional Award Gold Medal last summer for my dedication to service and personal excellence.

I am also a martial artist with 15 years of experience in Kenpo, and currently a Senior Kenpo Instructor.  I have to say I remember volunteering in the FMS classroom for “Japan” on International Children’s Day, one year. I was so enthusiastic about performing Kata for hours without stopping, that the teachers were concerned about me. They finally had Ms. Karen come in to check, and make sure that I wasn’t about to pass out! I was fine, just very happy to be allowed to share my passion. At this point in my journey, I am working toward my 5th-degree black belt.

After college, I plan to attend law school. My long-term goal is government service.

Outside of school, I am still working on an amendment to NRS 193.1675. It would include the homeless population as a unique subgroup, giving them the status of hate-crime protection in the state of Nevada. It is a humanitarian, non-partisan bill. I am also looking forward to exploring my new home and will be keeping my eye out for a latchkey non-profit program in the D.C. area, to partner with on an anti-bully program I have developed for next year.

FMS is where I developed my passion for service. I feel grateful to have grown up with so many opportunities to volunteer for everything from projects feeding the homeless, to folding chairs after Fall Festival. I also loved the International Children’s Day celebrations, and how they encouraged us to learn about differences, develop compassion, and a willingness to reach across the aisle, or the ocean to make a friend. My favorite thing about Montessori was that lessons were as much about open-mindedness as they were about the subject at hand, and personal confidence was the important outcome of the projects.

I have made lifelong friends from the time I spent at FMS. It will always be a special part of my childhood.