This Senior Spotlight article is focused on Roslyn Smith, who joined RMA in Kindergarten when her mother, English teacher Ms. Baker, joined the faculty. Roslyn’s biggest contribution to the Class of 2026 and RMA family in general is her selfless spirit that makes her an important member of our community.

Roslyn is a student who participates in so many parts of life here at RMA. Academics, of course, come first, and she is tackling three AP courses this year (Biology, English, and Psychology). She even finds ways to make her elective courses more challenging: this year, Roslyn is taking Ceramics and has set a goal of making 10 different plates–one for each of 10 kids in the Exceptional Children’s Program. These plates will then be shown at the Nash Autism Trail Ride, which raises public awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder in Nash County and surrounding areas.   

Complementing her school work are various sports and clubs. Roslyn has played soccer all four years of high school, basketball in 11th grade, and tennis her freshman year. Not only does she participate, but she also excels: she helped RMA take home two trophies last year! Alongside her teammates, Roslyn won state championships in soccer as a left winger and basketball as a point guard.

She also serves as the president of Key Club, a service-based organization that gives back to the community by organizing events on campus and beyond, including the tasty ice-cream social that has raised funds for the Holly Project, the daddy-daughter dance our Lower School students enjoy the day after Prom, and Key Club’s contribution to the Rocky Mount Christmas parade. 

Although involved in so many facets of life at RMA, Roslyn’s greatest passion is working with RMA’s exceptional children. She participates in Stronger Together, a club that sponsors special events that allow our EC and traditional students to have a great time together, and also works as an EC intern, which means that Roslyn spends one class period each day in Mrs. Whitehead’s room helping students with their schoolwork, social skills, and more. Roslyn has been working as an intern since 8th grade, so she was one of the very first students to volunteer with the Exceptional Eagles at Rocky Mount Academy! 

Roslyn has been accepted to East Carolina University, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. She has also applied for the Teaching Fellows Scholarship, a competitive scholarship given to future educators, since Roslyn plans to teach special education one day–something she knew she was destined for after she started helping in the EC classroom, which she describes as her “happy place.” After college, Roslyn hopes to give back to the program that inspired her by working with the Exceptional Eagles here at Rocky Mount Academy, since she considers this school her home. We look forward to welcoming her back one day as a teacher!

Get to know Roslyn!

What celebrity would you want to be for 2 days?

Definitely Jennifer Aniston.

If you could be any teacher for the day, who would it be?

Dr. Well’s because he is chill.

Describe your dream vacation!

I would love to go to Greece.

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

I would bring water, a toothbrush, and matches.

What will you miss about RMA?

I will most miss the Exceptional Children and my mom (who teaches 9th and 12th grades).

What is one piece of advice you’d give to an incoming freshman or to your younger self about high school?

Be kind to people who are different.