Mr. Minton is a rising scholar and leader with a passion for geography and international affairs.  In 2024, he distinguished himself as one of the world's elite student geographers by achieving a Top-12 global ranking at the prestigious International Geography Championships in Vienna, Austria. This highly competitive event featured 310 students from 19 countries, Hong Kong, 31 US states, and the District of Columbia.  Within this challenging arena, Minton earned a Gold Medal on the Economic Geography Exam, showcasing his mastery of economic principles and geographic factors influencing global trade. He further solidified his expertise by earning a Silver Medal at the Symposium for his original research paper, "Fumigation by Drone: A Case Study from Colombia with Global Implications," which explored innovative solutions to combat illicit crop cultivation.

Minton's commitment to cross-cultural understanding is evident in his pursuit of language acquisition. He was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship through the U.S. Department of State's Virtual National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y), enabling him to pursue intensive study of Hindi.  His interest in international relations deepened following a pivotal conversation with Finnish Ambassador Mikko Hautala, where he gained invaluable insights into Finland's evolving security perceptions in light of Russia's annexation of Crimea and the subsequent invasion of Ukraine.

At Langley High School, Minton is the founder and president of the World Affairs Club, cultivating a thriving community of over 100 students dedicated to exploring global issues.  His leadership extends to organizing high-profile events featuring Fairfax County School Board Member Ilryong Moon and a live virtual tour of the United Nations. He also led Langley’s first-ever entry in the World Affairs Challenge, fielding a UN-SDG–focused team that finished Top 3 globally (2025) among 180+ teams for an AI-powered recycling solution advancing sustainability.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Minton is a talented musician, performing as a violist in both the American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras (AYPO) and the Langley Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a Gold Medal Candidate for the Congressional Award Program.  Ryan Minton's dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and cross-cultural engagement suggests a future filled with promise and the potential to make a significant contribution on the world stage.