Each year, Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions is proud to invest in the future of Hudson Valley students by awarding our annual scholarship to a deserving local graduate who demonstrates ambition, character, and a clear drive to make a difference. This year, we are excited to announce Jonathan Duraes as the recipient of the 2025 Ethan Allen Scholarship.
A graduate with a passion for engineering, nature, and hands-on problem-solving, Jonathan is preparing to attend North Carolina State University, where he will study Mechanical Engineering. His decision to pursue this field is rooted in a love of building, fixing, and creating- skills he’s been developing well before stepping foot on a college campus.
“Originally, I thought I’d follow in my dad’s footsteps and go into computer or electrical engineering,” Jonathan shared. “But I started working with my hands—fixing my car, maintaining my family’s vehicles—and realized I love this stuff. That’s when I really leaned into mechanical engineering.”
His story is one of self-discovery and practical exploration. From performing full vehicle maintenance for his family to modifying his own vehicle for off-road adventures and backcountry car camping, Jonathan has already shown the kind of real-world curiosity and initiative that engineering programs thrive on.
“I’m into what people call ‘wrenching’—I love using tools, getting greasy, and solving problems,” he explained. “It’s not just a hobby, it’s what I want to build a life around.”
Outside of the garage, Jonathan is deeply connected to the outdoors. Living near the Appalachian Trail, he often takes off for solo hiking excursions and car camping trips around New York State, including recent outings to places like Lake George. He also works at a local state park, reinforcing his connection to nature and community.
His love for the outdoors is matched only by his intellectual curiosity. In high school, Jonathan spent three years in a science research program, where he tackled an ambitious self-guided project on quantum computing, which is a topic that would intimidate most undergraduate students. With persistence and confidence, he eventually found a mentor at IBM in Raleigh, North Carolina—Dr. Nate Ernest-Noble—and together they explored the frontiers of quantum mechanics and computing.
“Even though I’m going into mechanical engineering, I still want to explore quantum computing, especially because it intersects with real hardware and engineering. I’m planning to reconnect with Dr. Ernest-Noble once I get to NC State and hopefully pick up where we left off.”
His choice to attend NC State over Purdue, despite Purdue being a top engineering school, came down to fit, opportunity, and intuition.
“NC State admitted me to the Honors College right away and offered a much better financial package,” he explained. “I visited campus, and everything just clicked—the people, the energy, even the weather. Purdue felt cold in more ways than one. NC State made me feel wanted.”
Jonathan plans to use the Ethan Allen Scholarship to help cover the cost of the high-performance laptop required for his mechanical engineering coursework.
“It had to be Windows, couldn’t be Apple, and had all these crazy requirements: 32 gigs of RAM and everything,” he laughed. “This scholarship is really helping me patch that hole in my wallet.”
When asked about his long-term career goals, Jonathan gives an answer that reflects both maturity and authenticity:
“I try not to lock myself into one path. I’m going to follow what excites me. Whether that’s working on quantum systems, designing off-road vehicles, or welding gear in California. Wherever the road takes me, I want to enjoy the ride.”
As he prepares for the next chapter in Raleigh, Jonathan is also in the midst of planning a move to Fishkill; staying rooted in the Hudson Valley while broadening his academic and professional horizons.
At Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions, we are proud to play a small role in supporting Jonathan’s big dreams. His drive, creativity, and adaptability embody the very spirit of the Hudson Valley, and represent the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
Please join us in congratulating Jonathan Duraes, our 2025 scholarship winner. We’re honored to be part of your journey and can’t wait to see where your talents take you.
—The Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions Team