The sense of community and the opportunity to serve alongside fellow classmates is Daniel Smothers’ favorite thing about being an MSMS student. Currently an MSMS senior, Daniel proudly explains how MSMS has helped him with professionalism.

“It’s taught me so much. I really see the opportunities that MSMS has provided me, such as speaking in front of large crowds, such as being able to see all these different aspects of different jobs, being able to write a business plan in a class or a competition. It’s amazing how MSMS is able to provide all that while being able to further your education as it has.”

Hailing from Olive Branch, Daniel has a brother and a sister who are both eleven. He previously attended DeSoto Central High School. Daniel has fond memories of hunting, fishing with his dad and attending family get-togethers.

“We go to my grandmother’s every Easter, every Christmas, that whole side of the family every Thanksgiving. We do family get-togethers all the time.”

Blue is Daniel’s favorite color, and he likes Italian food. His favorite pastimes are hunting and fishing because he finds nature calming. His favorite TV show is “Shark Tank” and his favorite movie is “God’s Not Dead.” He names gospel rap as his favorite musical genre.

“It has the upbeat fun rhythm to rap, but it doesn’t have all of the negative stuff coming in to it. It’s uplifting. It’s talking about okay, you were helped. Now go and help somebody else.”

Daniel recalls listening to the gospel rap song “Urban Missionary” when applying to MSMS.

“I was actually an alternate. So, you go from, ‘Alright, God, put me where you want me: do you want me to stay or do you want me to go? Then I get put in an alternate position where’s it’s like, ‘Well, you may go or you may stay.’ It was great to hear Papa Rick’s voice ask if I’m still interested in coming.”

Daniel is very involved in activities at the school. He is the president of Engineering Club and is an Emissary. He is also active in the robotics, chess and Catholic clubs and is on the leadership team of CRU Club. Every Wednesday night, Daniel goes to local St. James church and leads a Bible study class. Daniel loves to serve and tries to be active in community service activities when he has the time. He names Dr. Hester’s Economics and Entrepreneurship class as his favorite because it appeals to his interests in business and accounting.

“I see myself going into the business sector, whether it’s gonna be accounting or something else.” 

Daniel wishes to be an accountant and hopes to attend either Ole Miss or the University of Memphis in the fall of 2018.