Even if you’re not a member of the senior class, you’re sure to have heard the name “Taylor Carmichael” more than once. Facebook posts giving the run-down on soccer matches, end-of-year awards for basketball, even big articles in The Rocky Mount Telegram about state championships–Taylor is featured prominently in all of them, and I’m here to tell you that this intensity and success apply both on and off the court/field for this special senior.

At Rocky Mount Academy, Taylor puts the “athlete” in student-athlete. It seems she was destined to love and excel at sports since Taylor’s first word was ball–a fitting start for such a successful athletic career. Taylor first picked up sports around the age of five, already playing basketball, soccer, and T-ball. 

When Taylor is on the court and field, the impact is immediate. She elevates her teammates around her and puts on a show for everybody to see. Although playing JV tennis as a freshman and competing in cross country her sophomore year, Taylor truly made her mark on RMA athletics in soccer and basketball. As a freshman member of the varsity soccer team (how many freshmen go straight to varsity?), Taylor won Offensive MVP and All-Conference honors. The next two seasons (as a sophomore and junior), she earned All-State and All-Conference recognition.

In basketball (her main sport), Taylor built a dominant career defined by both production and leadership. Playing on the varsity team as a freshman, she earned Team MVP, All-Tournament, and All-Conference, followed by a standout sophomore season in which she won those same three awards and added Offensive MVP, Tournament MVP, and All-State recognition. Her junior year solidified Taylor’s legacy as she joined the 1,000-point club at Rocky Mount Academy while earning Player of the Year, All-State, All-Conference, All-Tournament, Tournament MVP, and Team MVP. Her crowning achievement was leading her team to a state championship, where she was named Farm Bureau Player of the Game. This success in basketball, preceded by a state championship in soccer, has given Taylor her best memories of RMA. Across every sport, she has proven herself to be a consistent leader and a difference-maker when in the game.

Taylor approaches academics with the same mindset as sports, with a determination to succeed. This year, she’s taken on a challenging schedule that includes Honors Calculus, Honors English 12, AP Environmental Science, and AP Psychology, as well as electives Ceramics I and an internship with the Exceptional Children’s Program. Over the years, her hard work has earned her several accolades, including Highest Academic Average in Geometry and Honors Pre-Calculus, as well as Academic Excellence in Honors Modern European History. 

Rounding out her high school experinence, Taylor participates in many other extracurricular activities. On campus, she is involved in the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, Stronger Together, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; she is also the president of the Pickleball Club. Outside of school, she helps the Debuettes by volunteering her time to organizations such as Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds for children in need.

In her little free time, Taylor enjoys playing in AAU athletics and making memories with her family and friends. Her favorite place to spend that time is at her family’s lake house in Lake Gaston, where she enjoys hanging out on the boat, wakeboarding, and surfing. On top of all of that, she babysits after school. Needless to say, Taylor stays busy and is a master at organizing her time, which will surely lead to success at the college level.

As senior year draws to a close, Taylor is looking forward to the independence collegiate life will bring her and the excitement of rushing a sorority at NC State, where she plans to major in Criminal Justice. After what we know will be a successful career, maybe Taylor will finally slow down–she hopes to retire on a farm–but in the meantime, she’s sure to keep working hard as her competitive spirit drives her to do her very best.

Get to know Taylor better!

Who is your role model?

My Sister (Samantha Carmichael, Class of 2023) because I look to her for help, and she is always there. She doesn’t let other people’s opinions get in her way.

What is your favorite song?

“Tennessee Whiskey”

What is your favorite food?

Prime Smokehouse’s Honey Glazed Salmon

What items would you take on a deserted island?

A gun, food, and shelter

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

April Whitehead (I could spend time with my closest friends in the EC Program!)

What was your favorite school event?

Senior Night