At Millbrook High School, some students are known for their words, and others for their actions. Senior Matthew Dobo is one of the rare individuals who masters both. Described by those who know him as a “curious communicator,” he has spent his four years at Millbrook balancing the grit of the wrestling mat with the high-level academic challenge of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. As he prepares to trade his Millbrook blue for Carolina blue of UNC – Chapel Hill, he leaves behind a reputation built on accountability, physical strength, and a genuine desire to connect with others.
True leadership is often learned at home, and for Matthew, his mother was his greatest mentor. She taught him that leadership isn’t about a title, but about self-accountability. “Being a leader is all about holding yourself to a standard before you expect it from others,” he stated. This has guided him through various roles at school, from the classroom to the Mandarin Club and the wrestling room. By internalizing this lesson, he has become a student who doesn’t just wait for instructions but actively seeks out ways to improve his community and himself.
For Matthew, high school hasn’t just been about textbooks; it has been about testing his limits. His creative and personal outlets, such as camping, hiking, and biking, have showcased a side of him that thrives in the outdoors and constantly wants to seek out new things. However, it was a literal construction project that stands as one of his proudest achievements. He built a bridge. This took a lot of physical labor and serves as a perfect metaphor for his time at Millbrook for someone who builds stable connections and structures that last long after he has moved on.
That strength was put to the test on the wrestling mat, where he competed for both the school team and club wrestling. Through all the sweat and discipline of the sport, he found a community that valued hard work just as much as he did. He specifically wanted to give a shoutout to the wrestling team and the coach, Scott Saby, for being such a huge part of his high school journey. He stated that the brotherhood he found in wrestling provided a much-needed balance to his hard classes. Whether he was training for a big match or studying for a final exam, Matthew used that same “never quit” attitude in everything he did.
Relationships played a major role in his life over the past four years. Working closely with friends like Riley Hudson and Jason Hult, Matthew learned a very important lesson: How to respect others’ opinions even when they are different from his own. “I’ve learned how to view different viewpoints even when people don’t agree with me,” he said. It’s this kind of maturity that he hopes will be his legacy at Millbrook. Looking back, his only real regret is not making more friends sooner. He encourages younger students to talk to people outside of their unusual friend groups so they don’t miss out on all of the relationships that they could be making through their high school experience.
As he heads off to UNC-Chapel Hill for Pre-Med, Matthew is ready for the next big step. He wants to leave Millbrook being remembered as someone who was “funny and smart.” From the wrestling mats to the classroom, his journey has been all about staying curious and helping people out. Since he’s already spent his time outdoors and tackling the toughest IB challenges, he is definitely prepared for whatever comes next. Millbrook had the honor of having this great student, but Chapel Hill is gaining a leader who knows exactly how to build a path to success.
