It was during Dr. K’s famous “Egg Drop” project, way back in sixth grade, that I knew Elias Moore was destined to one day be one of the greatest engineers that the world has ever seen. At the tender age of eleven, he created an impeccably aerodynamic plane for his precious egg to fly in to safety from the top of the gym. Although I don’t remember whether or not his egg broke, I think that the fact that I don’t remember whether or not he succeeded was not what was so remarkable, but rather the fact that his plane was only something that most people could only dream to create (Dr. K thought so too, declaring that his project would receive a 100 whether his egg broke or not). Elias’ creative and thoughtful mind is just one of the many reasons that he has been an irreplaceable part of the class of 2018 ever since he came to RMA in first grade.

Moving into the classroom, Elias’ academic achievements far exceed extraordinary. Not only has Elias challenged himself with rigorous honors classes, but he has also taken a medley of AP classes such as AP Chemistry, one of RMA’s hardest courses, and AP Physics, which most people, myself included, think should be considered a foreign language. While science is more of his forte, it should be mentioned that Elias has passed both of the AP history exams, AP European and AP U.S History, and the AP Psychology exam, earning college credit hours. Definitely deserved, Elias received the honor of being a 2018 graduation Marshall and being a nominee for the prestigious Park scholarship at NC State.

It is important to note that Elias’ contributions to RMA go far beyond just his academic abilities. Elias has been an integral part of the RMA boys soccer and tennis teams ever since seventh grade. Not only gifted in sports, Elias also uses his talent for music by playing in the high school band. You can often find Elias playing bass behind the scenes in the lower school Christmas programs and also the high school spring musicals. His leadership in the Science Olympiad club has helped create awesome inventions and move the members towards a hopeful win during their competition next year.

Outside of RMA, Elias has been heavily involved with 4-H, running both the Exchange and Electric club (see interview below for more information). Through this, not only has Elias been able to share his expertise with Nash county and North Carolina, but also North Dakota.  

His talents and intelligence aside, the most prevalent traits about Elias are not seen through his impressive transcripts or resumes, but rather through his everyday interactions with his friends. Joe Cockerell summarizes Elias by saying, “Elias is one of the best people I know.  He’s always been kind, hard-working, intelligent, and easygoing. He’s always there to listen and kick me in the butt when I need it. I am lucky to have him as my friend and wish him good luck after graduation.” Always willing to lend a helping hand, Elias’ kind personality and caring attitude shine and brighten the day of every person he comes into contact with. From willing to help you with car problems to offering a word of advice, his knowledge of the world is just as vast as his knowledge of facts. Unbeknownst to many, Elias’ sense of humor also often goes unnoticed, his jokes and wit saved only for those willing to listen. Vivian Rogers comments, “Elias is one of the smartest, caring, charming, confident guys that I’ve ever met. He is really fun to talk to, and he’ll make you laugh every time you talk to him! One thing that makes Elias unique is his level of confidence that makes him stand out in front of everybody. He is such an amazing and wonderful guy!” While he may give off a quiet, more reserved personality, Elias’ impact on the school, the community, and any person that comes into daily contact with him will leave nothing less than an impact that even Albert Einstein himself couldn’t rival.

To learn more about Elias, please read the following interview:

1. What colleges are you applying to? Which one do you think you’ll go to as of now? Right now I am applying to NC State, Georgia Tech, the University of Alabama at Huntsville, the University of Maryland, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. If I get in I would really like to attend Embry-Riddle next fall.
2. I know you’re really involved in 4-H. What kinds of clubs do you participate in and what’s your favorite part about it? I run both the Exchange club and the Electric club. In the Exchange Club we host a different state for a week one year, then travel there the next. In the summer we will be going up to North Dakota. For the Electric Club, we have lots of projects and I help teach younger kids how to solder and things like that. Around Christmas we also set up and program a light show that runs for about 2 months at the Nash County Ag. Center. My favorite part of 4-H is getting to meet new people at every event I attend.                                                                                                                                                                                                     
3. What is the first thing that you ever built by yourself? What project are you most proud of? The first thing I ever built myself was probably a LED flasher kit when the Electric Club first started. The project I am most proud of is my homemade speaker because I built everything from scratch. I even set up the circuit board and cut out the cabinet so everything would fit.
4. What is one thing that few people know about you? Lots of people know about my interest in cars, but not that many people know I’ve always wanted to get into racing. If I ever get sponsors I plan on trying out for a place on a Rallycross team.
5. What is your least favorite song and why? What’s your favorite song? My least favorite song is probably “Let It Go” because I still remember when my brother would sing it every day for an entire year. I don’t really have a favorite song because by the time I find one I like, there’s already another one I’ve heard that is just as good or better.
6. What is the best vacation/trip you’ve ever been on? What made it so fun? My favorite vacation I have ever been on was out west. When I was younger my family and I visited everything from the Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde and the Four Corners.
7. What has been your favorite memory at RMA so far? My favorite memory is playing in the school band for all of the plays.
8. I know you play the bass. What first got you into playing? For the bass it was honestly because I lost my guitar teacher. I didn’t have anyone to teach me anymore, and the school needed a bass player, so I decided to teach myself.
9. What is your favorite TV show?  My favorite show on TV right now is Dark Matter.
10. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Never give up.