Pre-Frosh Proclaims His Accomplishments

Harvard students often are known for tooting their own horns, but Seth K. Bechis, a prospective member of the Class of 2003, has made news of it--literally.

The story of the accomplished Boston native, a senior at The Groton School, first broke in yesterday's Boston Globe.

In his parent's eyes, Bechis has a story that needs to be told.

"He's such a remarkable kid that we kept saying the world ought to know more about him," said his mother, Donna Bechis, in the Globe article.

To that end, his parents collaborated with Seth on a three-page press release, which they sent to local news organizations, excluding The Crimson. The Bechis' could not be reached for comment.

"Too often we see aspects of society's failures and I thought there should be equal treatment given to society's successes," his father Kenneth P. Bechis '70 said in the Globe article.

The editor of his high school newspaper, Bechis has judged his story uniquely newsworthy.

"I think it's good to see in the paper sources of inspiration or leadership or success," Bechis said. "Sometimes we focus on the crises in the world. I think if people see that I've been able to pursue something, it might give them inspiration."

And Bechis has pursued more than just media attention in recent years.

The son of a fine arts professor and a space scientist and systems engineer, Bechis lists editor, researcher, inventor, musician, entrepreneur, scholar, athlete and math whiz among his past professions.

All this, and the 18-year-old still can't legally buy a beer.

"I've certainly done a lot. I'd have to say I've had some pretty amazing experiences," Bechis said.

Among other accomplishments, Bechis has published a new method for factoring polynomials in a national mathematics journal. He plays Baroque flute, sings in the gospel choir and has studied marine biology in Australia and Hawaii.

"Seth views the entire world as his community," his press advisory states.

Not only does Bechis edit his school newspaper, but he will graduate first in his class this June.

But Bechis is not one to brag.

"He's the sweetest guy in the world. He's very humble--very low-key," Donna Bechis said. "He turned to me one day a few years ago and said, 'You know, Mom, I think I'm smart."'

And happily for Bechis, Harvard's Office of Admissions seems to agree.