One of the first Senior Spotlights for the Class of 2023 shines brightly on one of its key members and one of my best friends: Riley Bowles. I am confident that I speak for our entire class when I say that I am so thankful Riley joined us at RMA in second grade because she has made a difference here ever since. Riley very accurately describes herself as bubbly, outgoing, and friendly, and these qualities make her difficult to miss in RMA’s hallways. Other qualities that I greatly admire Riley for are how inclusive and personable she is. One of her best friends, Elle Bartolomeo, agrees: “If you know Riley, you definitely know of our love-hate relationship! Even though she is one of my best friends, we have a sister-like connection where one day we’re ignoring each other and the next we’re talking FREEly about our deepest secrets, and I’m so thankful for a friendship like that. Don’t know what I would do without that brat, gotta love her.” 

Riley always takes advantage of the variety of courses RMA has to offer, and this year is no different as she is enrolled in Ceramics, Honors Calculus, Honors English, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, and Sports Management. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to be in several classes with Riley over the years. I love seeing the fear in her eyes as Mr. Stone pulls up the PowerPoints in Psychology each day. Another one of my favorite classes with Riley was AP Biology, our first class of the day last year, because we sat together and started each day off by getting the WORDLE together before class began. Her academic achievement has not gone unnoticed, as she has earned the following academic awards: High Achievement in Spanish I, Academic Distinction in Spanish II, Academic Achievement in Spanish III, and Academic Excellence in Honors US History. 

Riley also keeps herself very busy outside of the classroom. She is a key member of the tennis team and the soccer team. I have played tennis with Riley since both of us were old enough to pick up a racket, and I can confidently say that she is the type of teammate anyone would want to have: talented, encouraging, competitive, hard-working, and hilarious. Riley never fails to make our team laugh with thousands of inside jokes. She is very involved in both Debuettes and Girl Scouts and is in the process of achieving her Gold Award. Riley also keeps herself very active in several of RMA’s clubs: Key Club, Beta Club, Kindness Club, Anatomy Club, and FCA. She is Sergeant in Arms for Beta Club and Treasurer for Anatomy Club. Riley’s wide variety of talents are such a big reason for her success here at RMA, and on top of it all, she remains a great friend. 

As the senior class is in the midst of college applications, Riley is in the process of applying to ECU, UNCW, and NCSU with a major in Communications since she hopes to become a speech therapist in the future. Riley is one of the people I will miss most here at RMA, but I know that we will be friends for life and that no matter where she ends up next year, she will continue to shine. Riley, thank you for making me laugh even on the hardest days and for being my friend since before 2nd grade; I can’t wait for the best senior year with you!

Read below to get to know more about Riley:

• What is your favorite movie? Either Stand By Me or The Notebook

• Describe your dream vacation. My dream vacation would have to be Santarini, Greece.

• Who is your role model? Probably my dad because he has always known the right things to say to me when I am going through a hard time and has taught me how to deal with certain difficult life situations.

• What is something nobody knows about you? Either I can play the guitar or I share the same birthday with my youngest brother, Charlie.

1. If you were trapped on a deserted island, what three things would you bring? Three of my friends so I won’t get bored.
2. What will you miss about RMA? I will definitely miss the atmosphere and being with all of my friends everyday.
3. What do you like to do in your free time? Hang out with my friends and shop