With the school year coming to a close and the countdown of days until graduation getting smaller and smaller, seniors are anxiously awaiting the moment to walk across that stage and receive their diplomas. However, if this is our first year or our 14th year here,  RMA certainly holds a special place in our lives that we will always remember and be thankful for. Here is the 10 things seniors will miss most about RMA.

8. RMA Traditions  – Senior breakfast, senior pictures at Rose Hill, powderpuff, all school sing… I could write a whole page about all the RMA traditions that students look forward to each year. These special events are a big part of what makes RMA so special and will definitely be missed by seniors. These events come along with many memories, for Emily Cheston (Princeton) one of her favorite moments from this year was “having a random dance party in the haunted house featuring 21 Savage”.

7. Sports and our teams – Many of us have been playing sports for as long as we can remember, so the idea of not playing anymore is crazy to think about. We’ve been playing with our teammates for years and we will miss them so much. The grueling practices, the locker-room intensity, the laughs on the bus, the connection we share with the people wearing an RMA jersey, will all be gone and seniors will miss every bit of it. Coming back for a game seeing someone else wearing your jersey or filling your position is already a daunting visual.  Rob Turnage (UNC Charlotte) said “I think we will all miss high school sports because at RMA no matter what sport you play, your classmates will show up to support you. It’s a great feeling and gives us all a sense of unity”. Reid Johnston (NC State) added “even though I will be playing baseball next year, I’ll for sure miss my teammates, coaches, and the RMA field, it won’t be the same.”

6. Our Teachers – This is a big one. Another benefit of being in a class of 34 is we know our teachers very well. They know more about us than they probably want to. They’ve watched us grow up and have taught many of us since the dreaded middle school years. Of course, they were there to help with homework and test prep whenever we needed, but they also read a million of our college essays, dealt with our constant complaining, and were there to hear about and attempt to solve all our life problems that seemed like the end of the world. Neha Baliga (UNC) said “I am so grateful for all the teachers at RMA. Not only have they taught about classes, but they have also shaped me as a person and prepared me for college. I will greatly miss them all”. Rachel Scott Dunn (Meredith College) said  “I have been at RMA since Pre – K and it’s pretty cool to say I still remember all my teachers and have formed relationships with all of them. They all still speak to me in the hallways and they have all helped turn me into who I am. I will miss them all”.  Briana Winham (UNC) said “Coming from a bigger school I really appreciate the unique bonds the teachers form with you here. That is something I will miss in college”

5. Food – On a lighter note, the food at RMA will definitely be missed. From the famous tater tots in the cafeteria at break, to our favorite long lunch destinations, to Ms. Knox’s outstanding baked goods, us seniors are without question well fed.  Whether you are Will Pruden (NC State), who loves sub day, Marin Rommel (App State) who likes the sesame chicken , or Sharpe Newton (NC State) who likes the lunch ladies, it can be said we all have our own things we will miss the most next year. While we are sitting in college dining halls next year, I’m sure all of our minds will wander to the days of lunch cards and long lunches.

4. Classes and clubs – Yes, we do actually enjoy our classes and the clubs we are involved in at RMA. Although we are eagerly awaiting the day we no longer have to attend classes, we are a little sad that they are coming to an end. Parker Ferebee (High Point University) said “I will miss AP English the most, all the work we do in there leaves me with a sense of accomplishment.” Holding elections for officers of clubs and realizing it doesn’t even apply to us, or passing on our positions in our clubs that we’ve worked so hard in to underclassmen is all so bittersweet. Anna Scott Wingfield (NC State) said “It will be very weird not planning Key Club meetings and fundraisers next year, but involvement in clubs has given me a strong foundation in leadership that I hope to carry through college!”

3. The place itself – The way the gym smells, the clutter of our lockers, the familiar hall ways, the benches in the courtyard that double as everyone’s famous napping spot, and just generally the comfort of being so familiar with our surroundings. Yes, we’ve all toured our colleges and been to our admitted students days and have been trying to get a feel for the place, but no matter what campus we are on, it will not match the familiarity of the RMA campus. It’s a weird thought not to see the same things and be in the same place that we’ve been in for so long and we will miss it.

2. The family feel – Everything mentioned before makes this one, but I really cannot express enough how “homey” RMA is. We look after each other like a family, regardless if it’s your little buddy, your teammate, or someone you really only talk to in class. If it’s in the halls, online, or on the field, we look after one another.  Everyone knows you by first name and probably knows your favorite color, your dog’s name, and both your parents too. I (UNC) think this is what I’ll miss the most. When I walk down the halls everyone greets me with a smile, the lower schoolers yell at me across the courtyard, my teachers from years ago still greet me with a hug, and my classmates know me better than anyone. I feel so comfortable and at home here. Jenna Mincher (ECU) said “I will definitely miss how much of a second home it is at RMA. I’ve grown up here”

1. Each other – The root of all things we will miss about high school is each other. The group of wonderful people that surround me is what makes RMA so special. We won’t just miss the things in general. We’ll miss playing sports with each other, participating in all RMA festivities with each other, organizing clubs and working on projects with each other, and going to long lunch with each other. Many of us really have grown up together. We saw the braces, the awkward phases, and everything in between. Not having these people around next year is scary and sad, we’re all so excited for each other, but also so sad to part our ways. Maxwell Miller (App State) said “Growing up with everyone has been the best experience anyone could ask for. We have all been there for each other through highs and lows and our friendships are something that will last forever. I am going to miss my RMA family so much and couldn’t have been happier to be apart of the class of 2017!”