This week’s Senior Spotlight highlights one of the Senior class’s most unforgettable members: Champ Hayes. Champ is always sure to lighten a room and make us laugh no matter what kind of a day we may be having. He is quick to crack a joke or to lend a helping hand at any given time. Champ uses the words dedicated, outgoing, and energetic to describe himself, and I would like to add the words hilarious, hardworking, and friendly to that list. Whether it is through a smile in the hallway or a joke in the classroom, Champ is sure to reach out to others. His close friend, Ezra Moore, commented on this saying, “ Champ has always been one of the most outgoing people in our class and can make people laugh.”

Champ is a very diligent and hardworking student who is often found reaching out to teachers and going the extra mile. This year, his course load consists of English 12 Advanced, AP Biology, Algebra III Trig, and French 4 Honors. His diligence in the classroom has led him to earn himself a spot on the A Honor Roll for 9th, 10th, and 11th grades–along with many other awards, including Highest Academic Average in English 11, Exceptional Effort in Honors French 3, Academic Excellence in English 9, Best Effort in French 1, and Academic Excellence in Biology 1. You can also find Champ’s creative side in Yearbook Class and Drama Class as he helps to make both this year’s yearbook and play unforgettable! Additionally, Champ is an active member of both Key Club and Photography Club. Where he truly shines, though, is in RMA’s Upper School Chorus. Champ has an incredible voice that stands out and impresses us all. 

Outside of school, you can almost always find Champ’s smiling face at Chick-Fil-A. Champ’s politeness, friendliness, and work ethic make him essential to the Chick-Fil-A team. Champ often tells us that the job is very stressful, but when I am at Chick-Fil-A, Champ seems to hide this stress and never lets it affect his interactions with customers–he makes the job look like a breeze no matter how difficult it may be. I always love hearing funny stories from Champ at the start of French class each morning about his coworkers, customers, or other funny happenings at the restaurant. With the remainder of his free time, Champ loves to practice his incredible talent of singing. There really is no other like Champ!

Champ is definitely one of the most unique members of the senior class, and we are so glad that he has been with us here for eleven years now. After so long together, it will be very difficult to part ways in May, but we can’t wait to see where life takes Champ. Those of us who remember the sermons Champ used to write in Middle School will not be surprised to learn that Champ has chosen to major in Divinity and Christian studies. He is applying to ECU, Campbell, and Wesleyan, and I am confident that no matter where he chooses to go, success will ensue. Champ’s ability to connect with others and make everyone smile is going to take him so far in life, and we can’t wait to hear all about it! 

Read below to learn more about Champ!

1. What is your favorite movie? Rush Hour 
2. Describe your dream vacation. My dream vacation would be a year-long vacation to the Caribbean 
3. Who is your role model? My mom because she pushes me to be great on purpose 
4. What three things would you bring if you were trapped on a deserted island? My phone, some friends, and a boat 
5. What will you miss about RMA? All the numerous friends I’ve made 
6. What is your funniest story at RMA? The time Ms. O’Brien spilled her water and stared out the window for the rest of class, and then I told the other French classes to not make her upset 
7. What is one piece of advice you’d give to an incoming freshman? Don’t procrastinate!
8. What class would you take again, and why? Mrs. Helms because of all the math songs we learn