This Senior Spotlight article focuses on a truly special student, Caroline Epps, who is a part of the RMA family in more ways than one. Caroline’s brother Davis graduated in 2022, her brother Cooper graduated in 2024, and her mother, Mrs. Epps, has worked at RMA since 2020 as the school nurse. Caroline’s classmates–her chosen family–have benefitted from her individuality, humor, kindness, and sincerity since she joined us in the first grade. Over the course of her twelve years at RMA, Caroline has devoted her time to becoming a balanced student who saves time for athletics, community service, and fun as well.
Throughout her academic career, Caroline has proven herself a driven student who excels even in the most rigorous courses. She has taken AP (Advanced Placement) classes since her freshman year, earning college credit well before graduating. To give you an idea of her difficult coursework, this year she is taking Spanish 4 Honors, AP Calculus, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology. In addition to receiving numerous awards for various subjects, she has been inducted into the National Honor Society and served last year as an academic marshal at the Baccalaureate service and graduation.
Caroline has received two of RMA’s highest academic accolades, including the Turner Battle Scholarship and the Dr. K Award. The Turner Battle Scholarship was created as a memorial scholarship for Turner Westray Battle, who helped found Rocky Mount Academy in 1968 and served as chairman for six years. (Fun Fact: Did you know that before his involvement in Rocky Mount Academy, Mr. Battle graduated from the US Naval Academy at Annapolis and was awarded five battle stars during World War II? He also served as the director of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, making him a public servant through and through and a great role model for future Eagles!) This year, Caroline received the Turner Battle Scholarship for her leadership, scholarship, college potential, and school spirit.
When she was just in 8th grade, Caroline was honored with another award named after someone who helped make RMA great: Dr. Bob Koszelak, whose unexpected death after 18 years of service at the school led the RMA community to honor his legacy through a memorial scholarship. For a student to receive the Dr. K Award, they must exhibit a selfless nature, an honest and sincere concern for their friends, students and fellow staff, citizenship, leadership, character building in others, and a positive attitude, all of which Caroline embodies.
Being the balanced student she is, Caroline also participates in sports and many extracurricular activities. As a student-athlete, Caroline played both tennis and soccer (as a left midfielder) in her freshman and sophomore years. Proving that she really does excel at all she does, she received the Coach’s Award in soccer as a freshman and in tennis as a sophomore. Between classes and practices, Caroline spends part of her day helping in the Exceptional Children’s room, where she helps EC students with their work but also plays games with them since it’s important both to work and play hard.
Even outside of RMA, Caroline stays busy and helps others. Taking her leadership skills off-campus, Caroline was elected the president of the Debuettes Class of 2026, putting her in charge of meetings, volunteer opportunities, and promoting the club. Debuettes is a leadership and volunteer service-based club that serves local causes, raises funds and contributes significant volunteer hours to established volunteer organizations.
Excited to experience new things at an out-of-state school, Caroline has already committed to Auburn University and hopes to pursue a career in Fashion and Design (Auburn has a great program!). This is something she has wanted to do ever since buying herself a sewing machine in 2023, and she hopes it will lead her to design her own clothing line. With her dedication and long list of abilities, we’re sure to see Caroline’s original designs pop up in stores one day!
Fun Facts about Caroline Epps:
What is your favorite movie?
The Notebook
Where is your favorite place to spend time–and why?
In my car or on a boat, I aimlessly drive around for hours. The world just gets kind of quiet when you don’t have anywhere to be.
What is your favorite school event?
I really enjoy the EC pep rally; it’s special to see how the entire school comes together for these special students.
Who is your role model, and why?
My role model is definitely my mom–she’s the only person I know who is so strong while still being gentle and kind.
Do you plan to rush a sorority when you go off to college?
Yes
What are you going to miss about RMA?
I’ll miss the community. All of your teachers really want to see you succeed, and that’s what’s special about RMA. All of the staff and students support each other in a family-like way. And I’ll miss the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits!
