I think one of the first mistakes that most people make when evaluating the senior class is that sometimes those with a quieter persona generally go unnoticed or underappreciated. In the true fashion of “saving one the best for last,” this week’s senior spotlight and the last one for the 2018 school year is none other than Mark Allen. Mark has been at RMA since 2008 (third grade) and ever since then his quiet, yet funny and kind, demeanor has subtly been making RMA a better place. I think it would be almost inappropriate not to include in my introduction of Mark of how he got our senior trip to New York started off on the right foot. As the seniors pulled into the school parking lot on that cold and wet Monday night back in February, Mark was blasting the Beastie Boys, quickly earning him the title as “unofficial favorite” from our tour guide Mr. Tony and setting the precedent for a senior trip so out of this world, some may even say it was “Intergalactic.”

Moving more specifically to the academic realm of Mark’s RMA career, he has taken several challenging courses here during his time at RMA. This year, Mark has taken both AP Psychology with Mr. Stone, Precalculus with Ms. Carter, and, a class I believe should count as a foreign language in addition to a science, Physics with Dr. Fritschel. Overall, he says that AP Psychology has been one of his favorite classes, but makes sure to make known that the most fun, yet challenging class is Physics. As a true attest to his hard work and determination in the classroom, Mark was inducted into the National Honors Society, which not only requires a 4.2 GPA from students, but also character traits such as service, leadership skills, and good character. Moving outside of the classroom, Mark has also been a part of Key Club, soccer, and the shooting team.This impressive work ethic that Mark exhibits will definitely help him as he continues his education next year as an Appalachian State Mountaineer!

While the lines on Mark’s résumé are impressive, I think it is the personal impact that Mark has on the grade that deserves the most recognition. Joe Cockrell best summarizes Mark by saying, “Although Mark flies below the radar at school, he sees more than most people.  He is loyal, compassionate, kind, genuine, and always willing to lend a helping hand.  He isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right and will always be there for a friend. He doesn’t feel the need to bow to peer pressure, and he is always trying to teach people that it is 100% okay to be who they are.  I wish him a lot of luck after graduation. He truly rocks, and I sincerely hope he never changes.” While he is more of a quiet person, don’t let this more reserved personality of Mark fool you. In New York, Mark led the small group of “walkers” from the Metropolitan Museum to our hotel in Times Square as I would imagine Theodore Roosevelt led his troops into battle. Much like his leadership abroad, Mark’s leadership here at school can been seen in the unique spirit he embodies. For example, Mark was one of the two people to wear a white tux to Prom this year, a fashion statement that not only speaks of an individual’s impeccable taste, but unparalleled nature (#BringBackWhiteTuxes2k18). Elias Moore comments, “Mark is one of the few people I know that is never boring to be around. He’s always there to improve your day with a witty joke or meaningful conversation. Though he may be a bit crazy at times I’m very glad he’s my friend.” As Mark travels to the mountains of North Carolina to study at Appalachian State this to study psychological neuroscience, the senior class wishes him the best, but knows that whatever his future may hold, he will plant an awesome and intricate seed sure to blossom into a beautiful flower.

To learn more about Mark, please read the interview below!

1. What college do you plan on attending? Do you know yet what you’d like to study? I plan on attending Appalachian State University, I’d like to major in some form of Psychological neuroscience.
2. If there was only one movie or TV show you could watch for the rest of your life, what would it be? It would definitely have to be Interstellar.
3. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?  My biggest accomplishment so far is me turning around from a C and D student to A and B, my entire middle school time, and upper school freshman year were rough, but I turned it around, and I still don’t know how I did it.
4. What is one “fun fact” that not many people know about you? I love the West Coast and want to live and work there after college
5. Who has made the biggest impact on your life? The person that has made the biggest impact on my life is probably my sister. She’s felt like such a true friend to me throughout my life, and I would be an entirely different person without her.
6. If you were stuck on a remote island for a week and could only bring three things with you, who or what would they be? I would bring my phone, Cameron [Cross], and a case of water
7. What is your favorite song(s) to listen to? I don’t have any favorite songs, but I mainly listen to alternative music
8. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? It would probably have to be that everyone is unique no matter how bland they may seem and that everyone needs a friend.
9. What is your dream job? My dream job would definitely have to be in the field of my major. I’m hoping for something such as working to help diagnose people with clinical mental health disorders.
10. What is your favorite meme? It would have to be I NEED MORE PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN.