The Exchange Club of Waycross recognized Ware County High School senior Cayden Smith as its February Youth of the Month during a luncheon meeting last month.
Smith, the daughter of Mindy Smith, was celebrated for her exceptional academic record, leadership, and service to both school and community.
Ranked first in her class with a 4.0 GPA, Smith currently stands as the presumptive Valedictorian of the Ware County High School Class of 2026. Her achievements extend well beyond the classroom.
“Cayden embodies the spirit of the Youth of the Month program,” the club noted in its presentation. “Her scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and service make her an outstanding representative of Ware County High School and our community.”
A four-year member of the Gators sideline cheer squad, she has twice earned the Scholar Athlete Award for holding the highest GPA on the team, and was named Best All-Around her junior year.
She also contributed to the Game Day Competition Squad, helping the team earn a Top 6 finish in the state.
Smith’s leadership is equally evident in involvement with student organizations. A member of Distributive Education Clubs of America since her sophomore year, she served as co-president as a junior, and now serves as secretary.
She helped plan meetings, trips, and service projects, and placed second in region competition in the apparel and accessories marketing roleplay event. She also is active in Beta Club and the National Honor Society, completing more than 200 hours of service through school and community projects.
Her commitment to service extends into the broader community. Smith has volunteered faithfully in her church’s nursery and children’s ministries, and served on the Hospice Satilla Junior Board of Directors, assisting with events such as Cowboys for Kids, which supports Camp Hope. This year, she was selected to the First Southern Junior Board of Directors and was elected chairman by her peers.
Balancing academics and service with work, Smith holds a part-time job at Body Elements Tanning Studio, where she has gained experience in communication, customer service, and professional responsibility.
She also launched a small business creating custom clipboards, wall art, and canvases.
