Kind, witty, outgoing, and ambitious are the words that best describe the subject of this senior spotlight: Radha Patel. Radha joined the RMA family in 6th grade and has since benefitted her class with her outgoing and friendly personality, creating multiple friendships and countless memories throughout her six years here.

Radha’s ambition in the classroom is shown through her challenging class schedule and impressive list of academic achievements. This year, her rigorous classes consist of French IV, AP Calculus, AP English, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology, while still leaving time to express her creative side in ceramics. Her efforts in the classroom have earned her many well-deserved awards, such as Academic Excellence in French I and II (as a freshman and junior), and also in AP Biology (11th grade). Due to her dedication toward her academics, as well as her leadership and school spirit, Radha received the Turner-Battle Scholarship in 12th grade and was a junior academic marshal last year. 

Radha’s passion for school goes beyond math, science, and English. As mentioned before, Radha shows her creative and artistic side in ceramics, where she has made some very notable pieces, such as a pumpkin, a multi-colored plate with stripes, and she is currently working on a chip and dip set. Combining creative thought with academics, Radha is a member of the Global Studies Honors Program, where students spend time exploring global issues, connecting local and international perspectives, and engaging in community service and travel experiences.

When Radha is not in the classroom, studying for one of her multiple AP classes, or working in Mrs. Hunter’s room, she can be found on the ball field or court, where she has been contributing to RMA athletics–with both her talent and positive attitude–since middle school as a volleyball, basketball, and softball player. She was a defensive specialist on the volleyball team, and as a teammate and friend of Radha’s, I can vouch for the excitement that she brings to the team, whether it is through celebrating others during the game or serving as comedic relief when practices get just a little too tense. She is also a guard on the basketball team, which just had a very successful season, winning the state championship with a perfect 22-0 season in 2024-2025. In the spring, Radha plays her favorite sport out of the three: softball. She has been the varsity team’s centerfielder for the past four years, and she played travel softball from 5th to 9th grades. Radha has contributed in so many ways to the teams she has played on over the years at RMA! 

Although she spends a huge amount of time and energy on school and sports, Radha’s kind nature leads her to spend many hours each month doing community service. Some of her regular activities are through Key Club and the Rocky Mount Debuettes, while others are opportunities she has sought out on her own, such as volunteering at the hospital. This past summer, she interned at UNC-Nash Hospital, assisting the staff with non-clinical tasks. She really enjoyed the internship and even plans to go into the medical field when she is older. She also exemplifies compassion and kindness towards the children in the Exceptional Children’s program, as she is a member of Stronger Together. Her favorite part of the EC program, she says, is the fellowship students enjoy during events, such as pumpkin carving and the Thanksgiving potluck. These kinds of activities and interactions with others are why calculus teacher Mrs. Meadows speaks of Radha’s “ insightful and empathetic nature” and “kindness and a genuine concern for others.”

Next fall, Radha will be attending one of the following colleges: UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, UNCW, ECU, the University of Georgia, Clemson, the University of South Carolina, or the University of Tennessee. She plans to major in either Sociology or Neuroscience and wants to pursue a career in the medical field as an anesthesiologist. Radha’s determination in the classroom and outgoing and friendly personality will serve her well in college, where I am confident she will continue to thrive, as well as when she is Dr. Patel, RMA alum.

Get To Know Radha Better: 

1. What do you do outside of school in your free time? 

• I love to travel and go on vacation with my family. I love to read books and spend my time watching new TV shows and movies. My family has traveled to many places in Europe, like Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Aruba, Jamaica, Canada, etc. I got into traveling because my family has taken us on trips almost every year since I was born. I really want to see the 7 wonders of the world and more countries.

2. Who is your role model and why? 

• My role models are my parents and my sister because they are the strongest people I know, and they are my biggest supporters no matter what.

3. What is your dream vacation?  

• My dream vacation would be like two or three months to go travel the world. I would start by going to Brazil and Peru in south america and then make my way to Europe where I would spend time in London, Paris, Spain and Portugal, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Croatia, and then I would go to Africa and go to Morocco and Jordan so I can see another wonder of the world and then maybe even go to Thailand.

4. What will you miss about RMA? 

• I will miss the people because everyone is so kind, truly cares about you, and others.

5. If you could be any teacher for the day, who would you be and why? 

• Mr. Stone, because he is interesting, and I wonder what he does in a day.