If you have a question about any graduate from Davidson Day, dating back to our school's second graduating class, Mr. Smith will have an answer. Not only can he identify them, but he likely has a heartwarming anecdote about their time as a Patriot. Mr. Smith is an educator who needs no introduction and is a beloved member of the Davidson Day community. He is kind, generous, and patient, and since joining Davidson Day 14 years ago, Mr. Smith has left an indelible mark on every student who has crossed the stage at graduation. Mr. Smith's journey at Davidson Day began in 2010, alongside the launch of the American Foreign Academic Research (AFAR) program and the football program. In his first year at Davidson Day, Upper School enrollment was at 120 students, and, this year, Upper School enrollment is at an all time high of 194 students. From his first group of students to present day, and every Upper School student in between, Mr. Smith has been a guiding force in their education, offering support, wisdom, and a handshake at graduation. As Head of Upper School, graduation is a proud moment for Mr. Smith. “I think my favorite memory is an amalgamation of the receptions that follow commencement each year in the atrium outside of the Duke Family Performance Hall on the Davidson College campus,” Mr. Smith said. “All the toil and sacrifices over the years from students, faculty, parents, and family members come together for what is always a rather radiant appreciation of everyone who has been a part of each senior’s path to graduation. It is truly an annual magical moment that marks the rite of passage from high school, to college and beyond.“ In addition to commencement, Senior Speeches hold a special place in Mr. Smith's heart. This cherished tradition, which began with smaller graduating classes at the beginning of his tenure, allows seniors to poignantly reflect on their time at Davidson Day. These speeches often highlight the deep, impactful relationships students have formed with their teachers, relationships that fuel their academic success. “If students are willing to do the work, our faculty will bend over backwards to assist them in their goals,” Mr. Smith said. “It happens every year, every semester, every quarter, every month, every week, every day. It is what distinguishes Davidson Day from all of our peer schools. It really all comes back to people. This is at the heart of what we do, and the spirit of who we are.” And while Mr. Smith acknowledged leadership changes that have happened during Davidson Day’s 25-year history, the Patriot spirit has not faltered. “The elephant in the room about our history is often the number of heads of school we have been through (seven in the last 14 years), but while the head has changed with some frequency, the heart of the school has not changed one iota.” Everyone who is a part of the Davidson Day community knows our school is a special place, and Mr. Smith beautifully encapsulated what makes Davidson Day so special: “What makes this school special isn’t our location, as wonderful as it is. It isn’t our campus, which is beautiful and includes the acres of wooded peninsula that juts out into Lake Davidson. It is not our building, that has done its best to keep up with our enrollment growth, demands, and renovations over the years. It is not our program, which is among the best that I have been associated with in 45 years of working in independent schools. It’s not our academics, which are superb. It’s not our athletic accomplishments, which are unparalleled for a school our size. It’s not our artistic presence, which is as talented and professional as any of our peer schools. It is our people. Period.”