One of this week’s Senior Spotlights is about near-lifer (he came to RMA in first grade) John Thomas “JT” Wingfield. JT and his family are no strangers to Rocky Mount Academy, as his brother Griffin graduated in 2020, while his sister Anna Scott was a member of the Class of 2017. 

JT describes himself as hardworking, athletic, and kind, and I couldn’t agree more. Always willing to put in the time and effort, JT has challenged himself throughout high school by taking four AP classes (Pre-Calculus, Environmental Science, Calculus, and Biology), as well as numerous Honors and Advanced courses. Since he is considering a career in finance or business, it is no surprise that he especially loves math and is excelling in the most challenging math class RMA offers: AP Calculus AB with Mrs. Meadows. 

JT also works hard in various sports, playing basketball, running cross country, and playing golf all four years of high school, along with running track his senior year. JT played JV basketball in ninth and tenth grades, winning the Coach’s Award in tenth grade, and varsity basketball in the eleventh and twelfth grades as a guard. 

JT has done particularly well in cross country. As a runner, JT won the Coach’s Award in his sophomore and junior years, was an All-Conference selection every year of high school, placed thirteenth in the state his junior year in the 5K, and was named All-State in both his junior and senior years. JT says the accomplishment he is most proud of, though, is getting 5th place in the 5K his senior year. Outside of school, JT participates in marathons like “The City of Oaks Marathon” in Raleigh, where he placed 22nd with a time of 2 hours and 58 minutes in a group of over 1500!

Although most successful in cross country, golf is JT’s favorite sport to play both in and out of school because he finds peace on the golf course. In the spring of his freshman year, JT started his high school golf career, steadily improving until he won All-Conference honors his junior year. We wish him the best of luck as a senior, as he aims to further improve his game and shoot under 80 this spring. 

In addition to being a standout athlete, JT is just a standup guy who helps others and volunteers for causes he

believes in. This kindness has not gone unnoticed, as he won the coveted Citizenship Award in his junior year. Outside of school, JT is a part of a church youth group that has given him opportunities to go on mission trips to Virginia to help remodel homes for the less fortunate. He also attends Camp Willow Run, a Christian camp, each summer for the last eight years and enjoys spikeball, wakeboarding, and making new friends.

JT has applied to North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he intends to major in either engineering or business. Although unsure of what he wants to do specifically, JT intends to pursue a career in the mathematics field, and we wish him the best of luck in anything he chooses to pursue.

Get to know John Thomas!

Favorite school event?

Going to and playing in basketball games 

Dream school day?

It would be a Friday when I have no tests and go to Pizza Inn for long lunch

What are you looking forward to most in college?

A new community, being on my own, going to sporting events, and intramural sports

If you became an influencer, what would your channel be about?

Golf

If you were trapped on a deserted island, what three items would you bring? 

I’d bring an axe, a flare gun, and a fishing rod.

Who is your role model?

My dad. I admire to be a father like him and treat others the way he does.