"NOBODY IS GOING TO STOP ME EXCEPT MYSELF”

Charles Michael Horton possesses a quiet maturity and a positive outlook, wrapped in a hard-working, entrepreneurial spirit. A member of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma program, Charles Michael is passionate about basketball, history, and growing his car detailing business. Based on word of mouth, the undertaking has evolved from a neighborhood venture to a mobile detailing business focused on luxury cars. The business keeps him busy on weekends and helps him gain experience toward his goal of one day owning several businesses. In college, Charles Michael plans to major in business administration and management. And he’s focused on getting his real estate license so that by the spring of 2026 he can begin another business.

Quiet Confidence

“I think my experiences at Country Day have given me a quiet confidence, an ability to communicate well with people at the next level in a professional way.”

Putting in the Work

“Time management is the key to making the most of your Upper School years. By developing processes and managing my time, I’ve been able to put in the work in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in building my car detailing business. My dad calls me a grinder because I push myself to be successful. I’ve gone from Bs to As because I’m taking the time to meet with my teachers, to use my study time wisely. It’s all paying off and that feels pretty cool.”

Appreciation for the Process

“I am grateful to Coach (David) Carrier and the skills he has instilled in me over the past four years playing basketball. I won’t be playing basketball in college, but I have enjoyed every moment of the recruitment process—talking with coaches, working out with college teams, learning more about schools. Even though injuries impacted my ability to get an offer, I’m proud of the fact that I was good enough for coaches to come look. A small percentage of high school players are even considered for the next level, and Coach Carrier helped me get noticed.”

Goal Setting

“I have a passion for entrepreneurship. With my car detailing business, I get to set my own goals and control my schedule. For me, it’s not necessarily about the money I earn, but also the connections I’m making and the interesting people I’m meeting, especially since my business has expanded to more high-end cars. I’ve learned that once I’ve put my mind to something, nobody is going to stop me except myself.”

Best Foot Forward

“At Country Day, your teachers and coaches and advisors want you to be successful. They want to see you do well. That motivates me to put my best foot forward.”