Alumnus Charlie Good '18 was recently named the 2025 winner of the Citizen of the World Award. 

This award recognizes alumni who are fulfilling the school’s mission: "The Bright School builds a foundation upon which students become wise and compassionate citizens of the world. Its century of progress fosters the intellectual, artistic, physical, and moral growth of young boys and girls." 

To be eligible for the award, alumni must be current students in high school (grades 9-12), college. or graduate school. The winning alumni demonstrate leadership in service to others in the broader community. Anyone may submit a nomination, and our fifth graders select the winner. All names, schools and gender are removed from the nominations, and fifth graders evaluate each nomination based on the students’ activities. The award was first given in 2017.

Baylor’s Upper School Head Garrison Connor said that in addition to thriving in Baylor’s most rigorous academic classes, this year’s recipient Charlie Good has demonstrated leadership as a student instructor with Walkabout, Baylor’s signature outdoor program.  

He said of Charlie, “As a student instructor, Charlie calmly and skillfully helps lead outdoor trips for other students. He is quick to encourage his peers to follow Walkabout’s motto and ‘embrace being uncomfortable.’”

Charlie visited fifth graders on Wednesday, May 14, to speak about his leadership and volunteer experience. He told students about his experiences hiking with people he barely knew in remote parts of Alaska using only maps and compasses. He learned to set up tents in various weather conditions and cooked his own meals. 

He also traveled to Sikkim, India to work in a home for young girls, many of them orphans. The home, called Taraloka, provided basics like clothing and healthcare and helped prepare the girls for careers. When telling students about his trip, Charlie said, “That trip changed my view of the world. It’s hard to appreciate how blessed we are until you see the opposite.”

When asked by a fifth grader about what he enjoyed most about his trip, Charlie said the perspective change was the most rewarding. 

He’d love to continue combining his love of travel and service to others, perhaps in Thailand, Japan, Vietnam or Israel.

“I will never turn down an opportunity to travel.”

Other nominees this year include:

Talia Joels '17 is an AP student, varsity cheer captain, theater star and president of the spirit club at Baylor.

Luke '19 and Jake Jones '19 organized donations and volunteers for Wreaths Across Chattanooga to put a wreath on every headstone at National Cemetery. 

Nick McKenney '15 was an outstanding student at Baylor before enrolling at the University of Virginia. He has accepted a prestigious internship with investment firm Piper Sandler this summer. 

Isabella Moore '18 shares her passion for ballet with younger children while maintaining a full load of AP classes. She teaches ballet at two community centers each week, as well as classes for the Chattanooga Ballet.