Caden Smith has been awarded the title of one of Millbrook’s 16 student and teacher-nominated Outstanding Seniors for the 2025-2026 school year. This achievement reflects the positive impact he has had on both teachers and students during his four years at Millbrook High School. Through out his highschool career, Smith has been involved in many extracurriculars, including being a member of the IB Diploma program, the Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Music Honors Society, Women’s Health Outreach Advocates, Student Equity Team, Key Club, and even having been on the Junior Varsity soccer team in his freshman year and the Varsity soccer team in his sophomore year, making him one out of only three sophomores to make it to varsity in their sophomore years. Smith has shown his commitment to growth by constantly challenging himself. He currently ranks second in the senior class and has maintained academic excellence with high test scores and a consistent 4.0 GPA.
One of the things that has motivated him the most throughout his four years has been his desire to learn and experience. “I’m such a curious person,” said Smith, “I love exploring how and why things work,” allowing him to engage in a different way with the material in his classes than his peers. His longing for understanding on a deeper level compels him to complete his assignments and view them through a unique lens. He seeks to find out what he can learn beyond the course to contribute to a deeper understanding of the subject and how he can interact with the work and with the class. “That is what has really motivated me – this idea of growth within all facets of my life.” This passion has been encouraged by many of his teachers, and all have left an impact, but Mrs. Carter is one teacher who has left a particularly strong mark on his life.
His passion for learning and growth has led him down many different paths, both in and out of the classroom. One such path was fostering his love for mathematics. Smith plans to pursue a Pure Mathematics degree due in part to Mr. Anderson, his Calculus teacher, who introduced him to many high-level math concepts that he later explored in his free time, leading him to even attend summer programs to fill his curiosity toward high-level mathematics. An example of the pursuit of his love of learning and drive for knowledge, especially in the field of mathematics, was his attendance at the MasterScholar North Carolina Summer math program held at Duke University, where he received honors as well as a letter of recommendation.
In his future, Smith has plans to attend a four-year university for a degree in pure mathematics before seeking a doctorate in math and becoming a tenured university professor and lecturer in mathematics. “Knowledge becomes more powerful when it’s able to be conveyed,” said Smith. If he were not committed to mathematics, Smith would choose to pursue other interests in college, particularly in the humanities, such as philosophy or psychology, as he enjoys looking into how we as humans think and how knowledge is structured and conveyed, and how we perceive our existence.
Smith’s first impression of Millbrook High School was during an orientation night in 2022 for rising freshmen. His first thoughts were, “This feels like a very rich community,” stating that it was one of the things that drew him to Millbrook. He felt the care people invested in the community and the passion the students had for their school. He feels his first impression still holds true, “I see it all the time in many different people.”
Smith believes the way he makes a difference in the community around him is through the little things like staying in touch with past teachers and peers, “I really appreciate that this is how I’m viewed.” Regardless of the path he chooses after high school, his ability to have a genuine impact on the people around him is something he will carry with him through college and beyond.
