Cameron Brown ’27: An Ideal Sophomore

Being a new teacher at Jesuit, it is relatively common for individuals to pop into my classroom for brief “walkthroughs,” after which I receive valuable feedback about my classes and teaching strategies. I’ve never told anyone about this, but sometimes I wonder what St. Ignatius of Loyola would think if he were to walk into one of my classes. Wouldn’t that make a new teacher tremble! 

But when I have students in my classes like Cameron Brown ’27, who recently won the Houghton Award, a distinction presented to a current sophomore who exhibits the admirable qualities of the Grad at Grad ideal, I feel certain that St. Ignatius would be proud, seeing the fruits of his labor in the presence of one distinguished young man. Cameron is more than just a stellar student; he’s a force of quiet excellence, a 15-year-old who already embodies the Jesuit ideals of intellectual rigor and service to others.

Cameron’s academic achievements are undeniable. Whenever I want a student to correctly answer a difficult analytical question that I’ve posed to my English 2 class, I call on Cameron.  He navigates a demanding course load with effortless grace, consistently earning top marks.  Yet, he remains remarkably humble, readily assisting classmates who struggle with difficult concepts, or maybe he’s preparing them for their upcoming quiz, deftly re-explaining complex ideas with clarity and kindness in the first few minutes of class as I’m taking roll.

Beyond academics, Cameron is a key player on Jesuit’s varsity hockey team. His dedication to the sport is evident in his rigorous training schedule and his unwavering commitment to his teammates. He leads by example, demonstrating sportsmanship and resilience, inspiring others to push their limits. Head hockey coach Jeffrey Kipp also speaks of Cameron’s ability to remain composed under pressure, a testament to his strong character and relentless preparation.

Curious, I asked Cameron to email me his morning schedule. This is what he wrote: 

4:15 AM - My first alarm goes off 

 

4:20 AM - Second alarm goes off

 

4:20-5:00 AM - Study/finish homework

 

5:00 AM - Leave home to go to the hockey rink

 

5:30 AM - Arrive at rink 

 

6:00 AM - Practice begins 

 

7:00-7:05 AM - Practice ends 

 

7:15-7:20 AM - Bus leaves to take my teammates and me to school 

 

7:30 AM - Bus arrives at SJ and takes us to the showers which are always freezing cold 

 

7:40-7:45 AM - Finish shower and get dressed for school 

 

7:55 AM - Leave locker room to get to class

 

8:00 AM - 2:55 PM - School

Despite his packed schedule, Cameron never appears rushed or stressed. He balances his manifold commitments with grace and composure–all with his disarming, megawatt smile. In a world often characterized by overt and gaudy self-promotion, Cameron stands as a refreshing reminder of the power of humility and genuine, quiet character. It is clear that Cameron already exhibits many virtues of the Jesuit Grad at Grad ideal. 

St. Ignatius of Loyola, be proud.