Claire Stanovich is the face of this week’s Senior Spotlight, as her shining personality, academic excellence, and dedicated involvement in the community make her a standout student in RMA’s Class of 2015. She is a friendly face at Rocky Mount Academy and can, without a doubt, always be heard from any classroom and hallway, even from a mile away.

Throughout her high school years at RMA, Claire has certainly kept her schedule busy by being enrolled in many challenging Honors and AP classes. However, her hard work has not gone unnoticed, as she has won various academic awards. These include Excellence in French and Digital Photography, along with an award in Public Speaking. Among the most impressive of these awards and special recognition was receiving the Turner Battle Scholarship and being inducted into the National Honor Society.

If you know Claire, you are well aware that she is a very dedicated and passionate swimmer. She has swum for RMA’s Varsity Swim Team all four years of high school, and served as Captain both her junior and senior year. Claire has improved each and every year, as she is a strong asset to the swim team. She has received the Coaches Award twice and was awarded team MVP in tenth grade. Claire was also recognized as an All-Conference swimmer her sophomore and senior year. In addition to swimming, Claire has played soccer since ninth grade, and even was awarded Coaches Award her first year playing.

However, most people may not know that Claire has a true passion for cheerleading, but unfortunately missed out on her calling as she never formally participated in the sport. Even though she is not out on the court performing the halftime cheer, you can still see her at almost any RMA sports game cheering along in the stands, as she knows just about every cheer including the accompanying moves. Also, if you have attended any RMA Powderpuff Football game the past four years, you know that Claire should just go straight to the NFL. As a result of her aggressive play that could match any one of the RMA Varsity players, she was awarded team MVP her senior year.

In addition to academics and sports, Claire is extremely involved in both the RMA and Rocky Mount communities. She has devoted much time to the RMA Key Club and Care Club, as she served as president in both clubs her senior year. She is also a member of the Global Studies Honors Program at RMA. In order to fill one of the requirements necessary for the program, Claire organized a Soles for Souls shoe drive, in which she collected 2,500 pairs of shoes to be  donated to children in need. Claire also travelled to France in April of 2014 with fellow classmates and her “at school mom,” Mademoiselle O’Brien, to aid in her participation of Global Studies.

Outside of school, Claire is an active member at her church. She has volunteered at numerous blood drives, spaghetti suppers, and youth group activities, along with participating in BigStuf, a Church Camp centered in Panama City, Florida. Claire also volunteers at Vacation Bible School, Habitat for Humanity, the RMA and Englewood Fall Festival, and various other activities in Rocky Mount. Claire is always willing to lend a helping hand.

After graduation in May, Claire plans to attend Elon University in the fall and study International Business. She wishes to study abroad in college and wants to use the French she learned in high school to help her in her career. Claire will definitely be missed at RMA, but certainly has big things ahead of her for the future.