Contrary to how they’re portrayed, the Middle School years, especially if spent at RMA, can actually be some of the best years of your life. From your first day as a wide-eyed sixth grader still trying to figure out switching classes to matured eighth graders eager for high school, middle-schoolers at RMA are able to enjoy this newfound freedom under the careful eyes of loving educators.

Although not a widely known fact, teachers actually share many of the same feelings as their students. Ms. Viverette, a beloved middle school social studies teacher, says that “The night before the first day of the school year I can hardly sleep! I am so eager to see the smiling faces of all my students!” As any student at RMA knows, the tight-knit family feel you have at school is one you surely miss during the summer.

Dr. K, a familiar favorite to all middle school students, remarks, “RMA students/parents/faculty/staff amaze me every year.  No matter what road blocks (figuratively and literally) or changes might appear before us, we always seem to be able to pull together and work toward a common goal.  You can’t go anywhere on campus without seeing a smiling face – that’s a testament to the spirit of RMA. Go Eagles!!!!”

This year, RMA also welcomed several new faces, not only with students, but with teachers. Mr. Hubert, a former RMA alumni and current history teacher, states “As an alumni it’s really great to be back at RMA. Being a new teacher is very hectic, even in the best situations, but having the familiarity with RMA already has made things much smoother. Coming from a challenging first teaching experience, I really appreciate that I can really trust my students, not only to do what I ask them to do but also the fact that I do not have to monitor their every move and be on guard for what they might do next.”  Just a few doors down, Ms. Covolo, the new middle school English teacher, remarks, “I absolutely love teaching the Middle School grades at RMA. So far, my favorite part of teaching here has been the small class sizes. In a relatively short amount of time, our classes have connected and embraced working together on some pretty intricate group projects. I also love that I’m given access to so many resources to help my students explore the world around them.” Mr. Hubert and Ms. Covolo’s kind words and positive energy surely spills over onto their students, undoubtedly setting a great tone for an awesome school year.

Another big transition for Middle School students is the introduction of clubs and extracurricular activities. A longstanding tradition at RMA is the Middle School SGA (Student Government Association). This year, Mary Hanna Bryant was elected as President, Lindsey Boyette as Vice President, Mary Vivian Cobb as Secretary, and Law Kitchin as Treasurer. Other clubs include Battle of the Books, a competitive reading competition designed for book lovers and the Eagle Ambassador club, a service program to which students must apply for and have outstanding character to be a part of. Also, everyone in the school will be looking forward to this Fall’s production of Charlotte’s Web, directed by Ms. Whitehurst, the Upper School drama teacher.

As sixth grade is a huge transition year for former lower schoolers, Juhee Desai says that “Middle school gives you a lot of independence” and that she misses “only [having] two classes and [that] we couldn’t be tardy when we switched classes.”

Finally allowed to play sports once in seventh grade, Harrison Vaughn says, “The only difference I’ve noticed is sports. I’m playing cross country. It feels so different to have to dress out on game days.”

As the seniors of the Middle School, eighth graders are tasked with being a shining example to their younger friends. Connor Freedmen knows this to be true, saying “It’s fun having some seniority because it’s our last year of middle school “.

Introduced in seventh grade to sports, the middle school students also play a vital role in athletics here at RMA. The girls Varsity tennis team would not be the same without seed six, Shelton Honey. Also, the the middle school volleyball team’s valiant efforts this season have helped them improve greatly. Making up most of the JV boys soccer team, the team’s winning record is continuing to soar. JV Football, which allows sixth graders to play also, even recently won their game this past Tuesday night with a score of giving the school even more bragging rights. Finally, although a fairly individual sport, cross country has been working hard and provides a different and fun outlet for middle school students to mix with upper school students.

Mrs. Harrell, the Head of Middle School, commenting on the new school year by saying, “The 2017-2018 school year is off to a great start for our middle school.  The teachers are presenting students with creative ways to gain knowledge every day, and our students are excited, enthusiastic, and engaged in what they are learning inside the classroom!”

Truthfully, although middle school can be an awesome and amazing experience, it is also sometimes awkward. As any eleven to fourteen year old will tell you, or even any adult, this delicate stage in life can consist of many frustrations for adolescents. One minute, you’re expected to be grown up and mature, and the next you’re still treated like a child. The pressures put on you to do well in school while also juggling other responsibilities such as sports, family life, and extracurricular activities are often overwhelming, especially for young people who have never experienced this kind of lifestyle. But, best said by Ms. Viverette, “I blinked, and my once 6th graders are now in the 8th grade and are considered the seniors of middle school, evidence time is truly flying!”

As a former middle schooler myself, one that feels as if it was just a few weeks ago instead of years, my advice is to try new things, be friends with everyone, and to remember time is fleeting. You’re not nearly as awkward as you think, nothing lasts forever, and that whether you know it or not, your teachers care for you and truly want you to succeed. If you can remember all of these things, I can assure you that, one day, when you look back on it, Middle School will truly be some of the best years of your life.