Senior Spotlight – Nathaniel Smith

There are many things that make a Brother Rice student who he is. None of which are average. We encourage our students to develop their interests and pursuits through experiential learning opportunities, helping them discover hidden talents and passions. Every student’s path is different and we believe that is a good thing. We also believe that only when you are 100% YOU, are you 100% Brother Rice!

In this Senior Spotlight, get to know Nathaniel Smith!

Activities, Awards, and Achievements:

Spanish Honor Society, National Spanish Exam Silver Award, Warrior Worship Team Cellist and Cantor, Brother Rice Medical Club, Cross Country Captain, 4-yr Varsity Award Cross Country, Brother Rice Lacrosse State Champion, CHSL Scholar Athlete, Scholastic All Catholic Medal, MSVMA State Honors Choir, Cellist Oakland Youth Orchestras (8 yrs) and Soloist (State level), State of Michigan MParks Community Service Award, Eagle Scout rank BSA, MSVMA District & State Honors Choir, Concert Choir Leader

What Band are you a member of?

St. Padre Pio

When you think of Brother Rice, what three words come to mind first?

Excellence, Competition, Academics

What are your next steps after graduation and what is your dream job?

After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Michigan. I am not yet sure what my dream job is, but ideally it would be something where I can provide for my family while also being able to spend time with them.

Who is your favorite teacher and why?

Mr. Higdon is my favorite teacher. He was my cross country coach and a Kairos leader. Mr. Higdon is such a knowledgeable and funny guy, and I really respect him for all of his qualities. He has such a great attitude and is able to engage personally with students while educating them.

What’s your favorite place on campus and why?

My favorite places on campus are Ambrose and Fracassa Fields. I have so many great memories there playing lacrosse or doing workouts on the track, so it holds a lot of emotional value for me.

What’s your favorite thing about Brother Rice?

My favorite thing about Brother Rice is the community atmosphere and culture. No other educational institution that I have experienced has had a community like Brother Rice. With the unique interactions between teachers and students and the great relationships students have with each other, even if they are very different, the culture at Rice is, in my opinion, its best attribute.

What are some of the ways you have grown during your time at Brother Rice?

I have grown a lot at Brother Rice, especially in the way that I view other people. After experiencing various theology classes, good and bad interactions with other students, meeting new and interesting people, and the Kairos retreat, I have been able to see so many different perspectives.

Describe an experience that you have had at Brother Rice that you could not have had anywhere else:

The most unique experiences at Brother Rice, for me, were the four years of cross country teams and the Kairos retreat. Each cross country team has had a slightly different culture over these four years. There was always a great relationship between the runners, but each year, new captains took entirely different approaches to leadership, which gave a unique feel to every team. The program has such a good culture, and some of my best relationships came from those teams. Yet the reason it was so unique was not so much about the sport itself as it was the community that made it truly special.

Find out how you can be 100% Brother Rice by contacting our Enrollment Team for more information.