Milan Smith graduated in 2024 but has forever left her mark on Rosary, and she discusses how Rosary has helped to shape her. Milan competed on the varsity Track and Field team for all four years of her high school career, and she even got an athletic scholarship to attend West Point Academy in New York. She was a Red & Gold captain for multiple years, and she even had her very own pickle ball club with Paige Sorensen ’24. “Milan and I had many great memories throughout high school and I’m super excited to see what she does in the future,” shares Sorensen.
- What’s your favorite part about West Point?
My favorite part is the challenge that comes along with being here. Almost everything we do is a challenge, physically and academically. This school is challenging, but it’s a good challenge that proves to individuals that they can do things they never knew they could do.
- What thing about West Point shocked you the most?
Cadets pose for a photo. (Photo Provided by Milan Smith ’24)
Definitely how caring and kind people are here. Lots of times when you think military, you think of seriousness and yelling. While we do get that, the kindness and care of others override that. No one at West Point gets through this place alone, we all rely on each other for help at one point, and without a doubt help is always received.
- Has Rosary or other experiences shaped you for West Point? If so, explain them.
I think my entire experience at Rosary has led to my success here so far. I think Rosary prepared me with confidence in who I am which has carried through in athletics, military and classroom settings; But if I had to choose the best experience at Rosary it would be being a track team captain for two years. This two-year captain role allowed me to work on my leadership skills, which, here, is one of the most important aspects of being a student who will one day lead soldiers.
- What do you miss most about high school, California or Rosary specifically?
I definitely miss the days at Rosary track practice where I could goof off with my good friends Paige Sorensen, Elena Saenz ’24, Justine Wilson ’26, Caleigh Steward ’26 and Lainey Goldstein ’24. I look back on all those memories and l laugh every once in a while at all our track practice antics. “Me and Milan had many good times at practice, whether we were motivating each other for our workouts, or just joking around,” says Caliegh. What I miss about California is the weather; it was a big adjustment to wake up to below 20-degree weather from the months of November to even a little into now in April.
- Who have you really connected with at West Point? Did you make lots of friends?
One thing West Point has that is like none other is connecting you with some really amazing alumni, cadets or even staff. We often have guest speakers or high-ranking military personnel all around us. I’ve made some great connections with upper class cadets, former military officers or even just people who work in our dining facilities. As far as friends, I’ve made a lot of good friends. Without them, West Point would be not nearly as fun as it is. No one here can get through this place without at least one friend by their side, and I’m lucky to have made lots of friends that support and help me grow as a person.
- How has West Point changed you?
I think that it has changed my work ethic. It was good before I came here, but I definitely was not expecting everything that comes with this school. You often do things that quite frankly you don’t want to do at times. Whether that’s waking up at 5:30 a.m. every day, or a mandatory physical event on a Friday morning when it’s still dark out. I’ve learned to just do things (even when I don’t want to), and not just go through the motions, but actually put effort into these things.
Learning about Milan is great and in case you still wanted to know more here are some fun facts:
Her go-to work out song is “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield because it can always put her into a good mood. She claims that the best food at West Point is the steak and lobster that was served at Christmas dinner. Currently, her favorite subject is math, and she thinks the track workouts at West Point aren’t too tough.
Milan will be back around June 30th and she’s super excited for summer, to see all of her high school friends, and to be back in California.
