Photo: Tate Carlson
Liberty Classical Academy grad Landon Smith hopes to one day join the Air Force and work for Nike or Adidas.
We’ve compiled some words of wisdom and hope from a few class of 2020 grads. Read about the other students here: Christian and Aidan Golish, Joshua Powell, Monte Collins
Landon Smith, Liberty Classical Academy Valedictorian
What are you most proud of in regard to your academic career?
I am most proud of writing, presenting, and defending my senior thesis about genetic engineering. It took months of work and research, but completing it made it all worth it.
What are your thoughts on missing some of the big events of your senior year?
The biggest events I missed were the baseball season, Eagle Brook’s Big City mission trip and prom with my girlfriend.
How have you filled your time during the coronavirus?
I did at-home workouts, but quickly got outside to run and enjoy the spring. I also picked up golf and have been working a lot more at Target in Vadnais Heights.
What are your plans for the fall?
I will be starting my basic training and technical school for the Air National Guard before attending the University of Minnesota to study chemical engineering, but materials science also interests me, so we’ll see.
What have you learned about yourself during this time of coronavirus?
I have learned that I need structure. At first it was super nice to have an extended spring break, but I quickly realized that it made each day very unfulfilling. Now I know that I need to find things to get done each day so I can have that sense of accomplishment.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope to be graduating debt-free from the University of Minnesota and commissioning to become an officer in the Air Force. In the future, I’d love to work for a clothing company, specifically Nike or Adidas, to develop new materials to use for their shoes.
