We Are the League Feature Series: Meet Caden Burns

Editor's Note: Welcome to We Are the League, a feature series that recognizes the work, dedication and enthusiasm of individuals who are essential in making opportunities within the Minnesota State High School League a truly great experience for all. During this series, you will meet an incredible array of individuals, including student-participants, who will share their journeys through education-based activities. The League hopes you enjoy this recognition series.

My high school journey

• While ski racing is my primary activity, St. Paul Academy has given me many opportunities to branch out. In my freshman and sophomore years, I was a Public Forum Debate Team, where I advanced to knockout rounds in the state tournament in 2022. I was also a first violin in the Honors Sinfonia at that time. Beyond those activities, I was a four-year member of the soccer program, which won Class A state championships three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024. In school, my primary interest has been science, and I have taken eight science electives in the last three years. I particularly enjoyed Organic Chemistry this year, and my interest in the subject has informed me of my likely chemistry major in college. This year, I am also a member of the St. Paul Academy Honor Council, an admin-selected student discipline committee. I have been a ski racer since I was 6 years old, and every year, the commitment grows. This commitment, which includes missing up to 30 school days per year for training and racing around the country, has interfered with my other school activities. I could not continue Debate or Orchestra past my sophomore year, and my participation in the St. Paul Academy Alpine Skiing team was interrupted each of the last two years because of invitations to U.S. Ski Team projects in Europe. Because of my goals and commitments in skiing, this senior year was the first time since I was a 7th grader that I could participate fully in the Minnesota State High School League’s Alpine Skiing season. While as a 12-year-old in 2019-20, I qualified for the state meet, I had larger goals this season. Ultimately, I won the individual boys Alpine Skiing state title, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have done so. I have many people to thank for helping me in my journey, including my teachers, club team coach Tony Olin, school team coach Nathan Goldman, and parents. 

Favorite high school memories

• I have been lucky enough to be a part of some incredible sports teams with St. Paul Academy, and my favorite memories of the last four years have come from my experiences with them. Being a varsity member of two of the three consecutive state championship soccer teams was incredible. I got to experience the atmosphere of playoff games in U.S. Bank Stadium and had the season-long privilege of watching my teammates pour their heart and soul into the ultimate goal of a three-peat for boys soccer. While soccer is not my primary sport, it was an honor to be a part of that journey. While my brother, Liam, and I have trained and raced together for years, the most unique part of high school Alpine Skiing, was the chance to be a member of an alpine team. Outside of school, Alpine Skiing is a solo sport, so the opportunity to cheer my brother on as a teammate was pretty awesome. I was proud to stand with him as we got first and second place in the IMAC Conference and was excited to see him, a freshman, place sixth in sectionals and qualify for the state meet as an individual (where he was 12th!). 

Why I enjoy being involved with high school activities

• The team experiences of the various sports and other activities I’ve participated in during high school contrast sharply with the individual nature of Alpine Skiing racing. In Debate and Orchestra, I learned how to collaborate with different people of different skill sets, and those experiences, along with my time in student government, taught me valuable communication skills. Beyond that, the soccer and alpine teams were memorable experiences as I learned the value of being a teammate and had the chance to cheer on many other committed athletes. The biggest positive for each of the activities I participated in during high school was that they were fun. Nothing beats the camaraderie, growth, and fulfillment of pursuing one’s goals and interests in such a setting.