Spending time around Frances Tharin–we met at dance class when we were 3 years old and are now clogging together–I have seen the fun, creative personality that she brings into our senior class. Frances is a “lifer,” meaning that she came to RMA in Pre-K… and she has enjoyed every minute of it! In fact, RMA is a tradition for Frances’s family: Frances’s mom also graduated from RMA back in the day, as did Frances’s sister, Mari Robin Tharin (she graduated in 2023), so Frances is just continuing the tradition! We are happy to have Frances at RMA!
Frances is taking a variety of classes this year, including French 4, Ceramics II, Advanced English 12, AP Psychology, and AP Environmental Science. She particularly loves Ceramics class with Mrs. Hunter–she is now in Ceramics II, having completed Ceramics I in 11th grade–and she has sculpted some amazing pieces (see photo to the right).
Frances has played tennis most of her life, starting out at Benvenue Country Club when she was younger and working her way up. She played on the JV team in seventh through ninth grades and then joined varsity her tenth-grade year. She participates in Key Club, Beta Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Pickleball Club, and she has even been involved in RMA activities overseas, traveling to the UK with six of her classmates and their teacher in June 2024.
Frances applied to UNCW, ECU, and the College of Charleston, but she has committed to Wofford College and is planning to study interior design and make it her career. I’m sure she’ll be great at it because when I see Frances, I think of fashion since she has such great style! I’m sure all those hours spent with Mrs. Hunter will also help Frances be a successful designer.
It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to our lifers at RMA, but we are proud to show the world such a talented student!
Get to Know Frances
Who is your role model?
My granddaddy
What is your favorite movie or go-to song?
The Parent Trap
Describe your dream vacation OR if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
My dream vacation would to be to go to the Hamptons
If you were trapped on a deserted island, what three things would you bring?
My baby blanket, my mom, and water
If you could be any teacher for the day, who would it be and why?
Ms. Hunter so I could do ceramics all day
Describe your perfect day at RMA. What would you do? What classes would you take?
My perfect day at RMA would be to just have ceramics and study hall with a 2 hour long lunch
What is your funniest story from RMA?
All of eighth grade lunch
What is one piece of advice you’d give to an incoming freshman or to your younger self about high school?
Don’t procrastinate studying for a test.
