Camden-Sinclair Miller ‘24 Shares His Thoughts on Growth

We asked Camden-Sinclair Miller ’24 to speak at our annual admission Open House event, where he addressed (twice!) a packed Brauer Auditorium full of prospective families. Here’s what he had to say.

My name is Camden-Sinclair Miller, and I’ve attended MICDS since seventh grade after graduating from Forsyth. Now, as a senior, I’m navigating the exciting and somewhat stressful process of college admissions.

Don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to think about college later, but I mention it this morning because one of the questions many colleges ask of potential students is Why Duke or Why SLU or Why NYU? In other words, they ask, why do you want to be a part of their community? Having sat where you now sit, I’d like to share with you why I chose and continue to be a part of the MICDS community.

Sure, I could begin with stories of seventh-grade advisory with Mr. Fitz, or the good old days of Middle School band with my best friend Carter. Or, I could describe how MICDS gave a not-so-athletic guy like me an opportunity to try football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and track, to ultimately find my place as a lacrosse goalie.

I could describe taking part in stage performances or learning the art of lion dance—culminating in performing before the Upper School. I could share how I’ve been able to grow my love of music through concert, jazz, and pep band with some pretty awesome instructors.

I could talk about all of the great teachers I’ve had along the way. There was Mr. Thompson, my eighth-grade English teacher, who taught me exciting but technical things like gerund phrases and hanging participles, while also helping ignite my love of writing and reading. Or Mrs. Moody, my freshman math teacher, now senior calculus instructor, who has made math feel chill and fun rather than daunting.

I could share how MICDS is a community where a rather quiet and reserved kid like me could find opportunities to gain the respect and support of my classmates—ultimately being selected to lead and serve them in student government.

I could share the unique study abroad opportunities MICDS makes available, like the trip I’ll be taking to learn and serve in South Africa this winter. I could talk and talk and talk about all of the amazing classmates I’ve met and friendships I’ve made.

To say those things and more, really simply highlights that I chose and continue to choose MICDS because this community shaped me and has given me the space to shape it in return.

Today, I am honored and consider myself privileged to be a part and to play a part in this community—as a student, as a leader, as an athlete, as an artist, as a friend, as myself. To be plain, MICDS is a place that has allowed me to both Be and Grow. Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences with you, and I look forward to seeing many of you around campus soon.