This week’s issue includes a Senior Spotlight on someone I have known almost my whole life: Britt Gaynor. We both attended preschool at First Methodist Church and went to Winstead Avenue and Englewood Elementary School together before transferring to Rocky Mount Academy in the 6th grade. Throughout these many years, Britt was someone I could always turn to, and I’m excited to introduce you to one of RMA’s most caring and dependable students.

Now nearly done with her senior year, Britt is powering through a rigorous course load, taking French IV, AP Calculus, AP English, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology, as well as participating as an intern in the Exceptional Children’s class. A strong student throughout all of high school, Britt received an award for Academic Excellence in Honors Modern European History (10th), served as an Academic Marshal (11th), and attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference the summer before her junior year. Britt is also part of the Global Studies Honors Program, which means she has additional academic requirements to fulfill. In the fall, she attended the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations Conference that was offered to Global Studies students here on campus, affording her a better understanding of global issues, and she is currently working on her senior capstone project: maternal health in Costa Rica versus the United States. 

Britt is committed to success not only in the classroom but also in her many co-curricular activities. She is a member of multiple clubs at Rocky Mount Academy that emphasize academics (Senior Beta Club and the National Honor Society), personal development (the Fellowship of Christian Athletes), and school and community service (Stronger Together and Key Club, for which she serves as the Sergeant-at-Arms).

Aside from Britt’s dedication to these clubs, she has played three sports at RMA, earning accolades in each. Britt was a member of the JV tennis team in 9th and 10th grades, earning the Coach’s Award in the latter of these two years. As a junior, Britt moved up to the varsity level and finished her RMA tennis career as a senior last fall. 

This year, at the all-sports pep rally in October, Britt received not one but two state championship rings alongside her other teammates–one for basketball and one for soccer. The basketball team excelled again this year, so Britt and her teammates made it all the way to the final game of the playoffs. This was especially rewarding for Britt, who started playing basketball as a freshman and even pulled double-duty by playing both JV and varsity as a sophomore, so she has definitely put in the work!

Britt is also hoping for another successful soccer season, which started just this week. Britt has played varsity soccer every year since 9th grade, earning a Coach’s Award in 10th and winning another state championship in her junior year. She has now started her final season of RMA soccer.

Outside of school, Britt is just as busy as she is here on campus. She serves as a youth deacon at First Presbyterian Church, is a member of the Rocky Mount Debuettes (which undertakes service projects to give back to our community), volunteers with the Special Olympics, and has been on two mission trips to Costa Rica. 

As for next year, Britt has committed to NC State University, where she will major in Nutrition Science. She is looking forward to “finding her people” in college by rushing a sorority. After completing her education, she wants to become a nurse anesthetist or an OB-GYN.

Get to know Britt!

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is Mexican.

What is your favorite movie?

Miracles From Heaven

What will you miss about RMA?

I will miss being able to play sports with all of my friends!

What is your favorite school event?

My favorite school event was senior night before the first day of school!

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

I would bring a water purifier, a knife, and my phone.

Describe your dream vacation

My dream vacation would be a trip to Fiji or Bora Bora. I’d stay in a hut on the water because I love tropical places with blue water.