This week’s spotlight is shining on the ever authentic and clever Zoey Outlaw! One year ago, the class of 2021 was shocked and delighted to learn that Zoey was rejoining our RMA family. Despite her brief sojourn to Rocky Mount High School, Zoey returned to RMA to graduate last year, and our class couldn’t have been more excited to welcome her back! With most of us having known Zoey since Pre-K, she is no stranger to class of 2021. 

Zoey has continued to challenge herself her senior year of high school by taking a combination of impressive courses and meaningful extracurricular activities. This year, Zoey is enrolled in French 6 Honors, AP Calculus, AP English, AP Biology, AP Psychology, and Yearbook. Away from the classroom, Zoey has taken part in clubs such as Beta Club and National Honor Society. While at RMHS, Zoey could be found participating in their SGA, French NHS, and Quiz Bowl clubs. A truly gifted student, Zoey has been recognized for her talents in many ways. In the 10th grade, Zoey was chosen to participate in the summer HOBY conference, a youth leadership initiative. Last year while representing RMA at the Senior Beta Club Convention in Raleigh, Zoey won Runner-Up in the French competition. Due to all of these accomplishments, Zoey was selected to be a graduation marshal in 11th grade. In the athletic arena, Zoey has been a valued member of the Cross Country team since middle school, earning her the Coach’s Award for Varsity Cross Country in 9th grade. 

Despite her academic and athletic achievements, Zoey is sure to keep life outside of school just as enriching. Fascinated with astrology and personality types–such as the Myers-Briggs and Enneagram test–Zoey can tell her friends exactly what kind of person they are! With a natural love of reading, she can always be found in the middle of a new and engaging book. 

Sadly, Zoey will be starting a new chapter away from RMA in the coming months. Having applied to ECU Honors, UNCW, NCSU, and UNC Chapel Hill, Zoey is keeping her college options open. However, she’s sure that she’d like to major in Psychology, setting her up for a future career as a Psychiatrist! 

On a personal note, growing up with Zoey has been a rare experience for me and many others in the senior class. With a razor sharp wit, she is perhaps the most clever person I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. Whether it’s daydreaming about opening up a bakery with friends or showing off her sardonic sense of humor, Zoey is a pleasure to have around. She is one of the only people I know who truly marches to the beat of their own drum; she is genuine, authentic, and someone people can look up to. I, and many others, wish her all the success on her journey to college.

• What has been one of your favorite experiences growing up?  I am passionate about French, and I was lucky enough to have the amazing opportunity to study abroad there over spring break when I was in 10th grade. One day, I hope to study abroad again in college or at least revisit France. I would love to see my host family again!

• What is your favorite movie? If I had to choose one movie as my favorite, it would definitely be Clueless. I love Cher’s style! 

• If you could bring three things with you to a deserted island what would they be? I’d bring my phone, enough clothes so I’d have something to wear in any weather, and, of course, food/water. 

• What is a quote you try to live by? “ The most important thing is to enjoy your life–to be happy–that’s all that matters.” -Audrey Hepburn.

• What will you miss most about RMA? Thinking about leaving RMA makes me so sad! The teachers here are amazing; they genuinely care and do their best to make sure all their students understand the course material. I’ll also miss seeing my friends every day at school after we graduate. 

• Where do you see yourself in ten years? Hopefully, I’d have a job and a family by then. I would also love to travel often!

• What’s your dream job? If I could be anything in the world, I would want to be a writer (even though I’m not the best at writing lol). More reasonably, I would like to become a psychologist.