On March 22, Senior Rhett Adkins was named the class of 2025 valedictorian at CHS. As graduation approaches, Adkin prepares his graduation speech and spends his final moments at CHS.
Being named valedictorian comes with a history of deep motivation and dedication to becoming a well-rounded and academically accomplished student. Adkins reflects on how he became so academically successful.
“I always try my best and always try to challenge myself,” Adkins said. “I did this with academics, always taking the hardest classes and doing my best in them. I never thought about it as striving for academic excellence. Instead, I just did my best and made sure I was fully applying myself.”
Atkins academic journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity and a genuine passion for learning across multiple subjects. One way he has especially connected with academics is through mathematics.
“I love learning mathematics. I have an aptitude for math and feel a sense of satisfaction in solving complex problems,” Adkins said. “I also have really enjoyed science and history and I’ve been fortunate to have had incredible teachers at Carlsbad high school.”
Adkins’ impact extends beyond the classroom and into extracurricular activities, where teachers have gotten to know him on a more personal level. Miller was also his chess club advisor and shares how those interactions revealed a different side of him.
“I also got to know him through some clubs that I’m the advisor for,” Miller said. “Seeing that other side of him competing with his friends and joking about basketball and chess, made me see that he’s a fun guy.”
Adkins’ academic drive and involvement made him a standout among peers and teachers, but junior year truly put these qualities to the test. With a demanding course load and packed schedule, it became a turning point that challenged his discipline and endurance.
“Junior year was challenging for me due to a rigorous academic course look, combined with playing two sports,” Adkins said. “It was especially difficult during AP tests when I was playing varsity tennis and club basketball at the same time.”
As the demands of school and sports began to overlap, Adkins knew he needed a strategy to stay on top of everything. He had to adjust his habits and figure out how to stay balanced despite the chaos of his schedule.
“I would have a tennis practice or match after school for two to three hours and then have to go to club basketball practice,” Adkins said. “I would get home at around 10 and had to use this limited time to study for four AP tests. I overcame this through perseverance and many late nights and some early mornings.”
While sports demanded much of his time and energy, it was far from the only way Adkins stayed involved in his community. From starting new clubs to mentoring others, he found fulfillment in a variety of roles both on and off the court.
“I founded the chess club and ever since have enjoyed hosting meetings and bonding with students over a game of chess,” Adkins said. “I’ve also loved being on a tennis team and being a champion lancer, getting to visit local elementrary schools as a role model. Lastly, I’ve loved being a mentor and coach at shooting stars, a basketball program for individuals with special needs.”
Despite his packed schedule, Adkins found ways to work smarter and make the most of his time in class. Still, even with those strategies, the demands of junior year didn’t come without their challenges.
“One of my secrets was paying full attention in class, oftentimes I was able to fully learn and understand the material from lessons alone, making the homework and studying for tests less time consuming at home,” Adkins said. “Even with this, it was really challenging to manage extracurriculars and there are no shortcuts to many hours of studying and staying up late.”
Through the challenges of managing academics and extracurriculars, Adkins credits much of his success to the steady encouragement he’s received at home. His family’s support has played a crucial role in helping him stay grounded.
“My parents have been my biggest support system during my high school years,” Adkins said. “They have never put any pressure on me and I never once checked my grades unless I asked them to. They’ve always been there whenever I’m upset and are also always there to celebrate my victories.”
With the unwavering support of his family and years of hard work behind him, Adkins recently reached a milestone that made all the effort worthwhile. What makes the recognition even more meaningful is the personal journey that led him there.
“I’m proudest of being named the class of 2025 valedictorian,” Adkins said. “I never set out to achieve this, but it feels amazing to be recognized among this class of incredibly smart and talented students.”
For Adkins, the honor carries more meaning than just a title, it represents growth, perspective and the ability to find purpose beyond original expectations. It’s a reminder that success can take unexpected forms.
“I tried so hard to be the best basketball player that ever really materialized the way I thought it would,” Adkins said. “Becoming validatorian has helped me realize that this was not a failure, but rather a redirection. When one door closes, and never one truly opens and sometimes a right path for you is different than the one you originally imagined.”
Looking ahead, Adkins is excited to carry the same drive and curiosity into the next chapter of his life. With big goals in mind, he’s ready to embrace both academic and personal growth.
“I’ll be studying applied mathematics at UCLA,” Adkins said. “I hope to keep up my high grades in college while also trying to have more of a social life. I ultimately am interested in business and plan to get an advanced degree, either an MBA or a JD.”
As he prepares to leave high school behind, Adkins hopes others can learn from his journey, not just the achievements, but the lessons in resilience, growth, and self-discovery. He leaves his peers with a message rooted in perspective and encouragement.
“My message is to follow your own unique dreams, but know that you already have everything you need to be happy,” Adkins said.
