A member of the Class of 2017 since Pre-k, Neha Baliga has been an asset to the Rocky Mount Academy family for years. During her time at RMA, Neha has been involved in just about everything that the school has to offer. From her teachers to her peers, she is loved across campus. When asked about Neha, a fellow classmate and friend Marin Rommel said, “Neha is the perfect mix of a goody two shoes and the life of the party. She is the cutest and I love her!” Anyone who knows Neha knows about her strong motivation to excel academically. Not only has she achieved and overachieved in the world of academia, Neha has maintained a well-rounded status due to extracurricular involvement.
On the academic front, Neha’s accolades are numerous and well-deserved. In 10th grade, Neha was inducted into the National Honor Society. In 11th grade, she was elected as President, which carried on the Baliga tradition that her brother, Vineet, had begun. Neha was also chosen as the recipient of the Robert Sykes Jr. Geometry Award in 9th grade and the Robert Sykes Math Scholarship in 11th grade. These prestigious honors come as no surprise, considering Neha’s diligence and natural mathematical ability. Among Neha’s other accomplishments have been a place on the Straight A Honor Roll, Headmaster’s List, and Highest Academic Average List in numerous classes for every year of high school. In 11th grade, she also added the title of AP Scholar with Honor to her resume. After a strong display of academic achievement, particularly in the sciences, Neha had the privilege of attending Summer Ventures through the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. During the five-week program, Neha lived on the campus of Appalachian State University, studied forensics and visual and image processing, and was awarded 2nd place Honorable Mention for her research project, “The Effects of the Ebola Virus on Individuals, Cultures, Society, and the Economy”. Needless to say, Neha prides herself on a strong work ethic and the desire to go above and beyond. After leaving RMA, she will surely continue to be a role model for many students.
Outside of the classroom, Neha has participated in various extracurricular activities and volunteer projects. For all four years of high school, Neha has participated in Science Olympiad. Currently, she is a president of the club and has placed regionally in Dynamic Planet, Cell Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology. Neha has also served on the Student Government Association from 10th-12th grade. From 9th-11th grade, Neha played on the varsity tennis team, and in 10th and 12th grade she was a cheerleader. For the past two years, Neha has sought to encourage an interest in mathematics as a coach for the middle school MathCounts team. Her high school-long membership in Key Club, hundreds of hours at the hospital, and various service projects with her temple all show that Neha has a heart for others. Through these programs, she has been able to help those in our community and people from across the world. Part of what makes Neha so special is the fact that, in addition to her desire for self-improvement through academics, she strives to make positive changes for those other than herself.
To find out more about this senior class standout (and one of my best friends), read the interview below!
1. What has been your favorite class at RMA?
Either AP Government or Dr. O’Brien’s English class
2. What are you most proud of accomplishing at RMA?
Passing the AP Biology Exam!!
3. What will you miss the most about RMA?
The small class sizes, my friends, and the teachers!!
4. What is your favorite long lunch destination?
Harris Teeter for sushi
5. Do know what you want to study in college?
I want to major in Biology and then go on to study Pre-Dentistry
6. Growing up, what did you aspire to be?
A baker!
7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In school still lol
8. What is your favorite Netflix show?
Grey’s Anatomy or Quantico
9. What is something not many people know about you?
I don’t know how to spell and I have no common sense 🙂
10. If you could give any piece of advice to underclassmen, what would it be?
Don’t stress too much and enjoy your time in high school because it flies by!
11. What is your pet peeve?
Braggers and Ignorance
12. Do you have a nickname?
Snake or Lil’ Juicie 🙂