Senior Brayden Smith is approaching the end of his final year at Lakeview High School. Smith has been a Bulldog since kindergarten. He is excited about how the second half of her senior year will play out, and is also eager to graduate!
Smith has done amazing things throughout his time here as he is an active member of the district. Smith not only helps around the school in any way he can, but he is also in two different types of band: Symphonic band and Jazz Blue, playing trumpet and bass. Plus, he is active in Drama Club.
While Smith is learning new pieces of music every day, he is also practicing his lines for the new upcoming play. Smith has not only shown up to every practice for the musical, but dance practices as well. He is making sure to rest his voice when he can and continue to finish his work.
Smith identifies band director Nate Sensabaugh as the one person who has had the biggest impact on him.
Smith expresses, “My band director Mr. Sensabaugh definitely had the biggest impact on my high school career and future. He has taught me to be responsible not just as a musician but also as a person, and he has improved my musicianship drastically and how I perceive the music world. I am very grateful that I can have the chance to be a band director like he him.”
Sensabaugh has nurtured and supported in Smith the desire to pursue music. Since Smith was younger he has had a passion for music, learning first the ukulele at 9. Then the trumpet is around 10, the piano at 14, bass and electric guitar at 16.
One improvement Smith feels that he made was his laziness. During this time of improvement, Smith states this has been his favorite year so far.
Smith states, “Out of nowhere, I kind of just got the random motivation to get on the honor roll. I guess I was tired of getting yelled at for my bad grades and I did not like the way they looked. When I started getting A’s and B’s, I did not want them to drop, so I have been trying my hardest to make sure they don’t. I have gotten a lot more mature and responsible. I no longer have the extreme laziness I had at the beginning of high school.”
Smith also adds on to say how his senior year is going.
Smith describes, “My Senior year has panned out the exact way I wanted it to. I wanted to give myself an easy year by only having three classes and I have managed to accomplish that. I also got a solo in the marching band, got the lead role in the musical, and honor roll for the first time. This year has been filled with so many experiences that I can never forget.”
Smith has some good advice to share with the upcoming students.
Smith expresses, “Do not do what I did and not do anything. It will do you no good in the long run. Trust me, it would make your life a lot better if you did the work when it was assigned and did not do it last minute or late and stress yourself out. It also prepares you better on how to handle more work as you get older and be able to balance certain things.”
As Smith leaves his Bulldog community, his impact here will never be forgotten. He has touched the lives of not only his friends but of the staff around him. Smith always makes sure to have a bright outlook on life. We wish you the best of luck, Bulldog!
