This week’s senior spotlight is on Chandler Lamm, a lifer at RMA. When thinking of characteristics that describe Chandler, the first that come to mind are passionate, creative, independent, and reliable. If there is anyone who you can count on to stick to their word or to be there for you when you need someone, it’s Chandler. Even if she has had a hard day, Chandler still manages to set her own troubles aside to put others first. She is someone who truly listens when you talk to her and has the best advice in return, which is extremely valuable. Her good friend Anna Brooks stated, “Since I started at RMA, Chandler has been one of my best friends. She is so supportive of all of her friends and I can always count on her to be there for me. She is always down to go to lunch with me during long lunch and is always living on the edge. I can’t wait to see where the future takes her because I know she is going to do great things.”

Having known Chandler for many years, I have grown to admire her. I admire her quick witted remarks, strong opinion, and her approachability. Chandler is an attribute to RMA in numerous ways. Not only is she a friend to all, but she uses her creativity to contribute to various projects around school. You can find some of her work in the senior room, where she helped paint the canvases hung above the couch with her own design.

Chandler pushes herself to be the very best at whatever she does. When she is faced with a task, she is sure to complete it successfully, even if that means staying up until 5 in the morning to do so. Excelling in the classroom, Chandler takes a rigorous schedule of AP Calculus, AP English, AP Environmental, AP Psychology, AP art, AP photography, and Ceramics. Throughout high school she has received a large number of awards, some of them being the Kay Ellen Excellence in Writing Award, Straight A’s in grades 9, 10, and 11, National Honors Society, Academic Marshal, Academic Excellence in AP Modern European History, and 5th place in Three Dimensional Design at the Sr. National Beta Club State Convention. Along with this busy schedule, Chandler manages to be the Fashion Club president, a member of Beta Club, a member of Global Studies Honors, the Honor Council, a president of Key Club, and a member of the volleyball team. As a president of the Key Club, Chandler is the head of the Kindness Project, through which students write down acts of kindness they see others perform around school and place in the kindness box. The goal of this project is to inspire kindness by acknowledging the actions of others.

Outside of school, Chandler enjoys tutoring children (mostly those with learning disabilities), making/altering clothes, and hanging out with friends. When asked about her fashion interests, Chandler stated “I’ve always loved to go buy clothes or scrap fabric from thrift stores and attempt to alter it or make it into something new. I’m hoping to pursue a fashion design major so I can keep doing things like this!”

As for future plans, Chandler has applied to Elon, Meredith, High Point, UNC, NC State, NYU, FIT, Cooper Union, Columbia, and Brown. She stated that she is leaning towards NC State for a major in fashion design. While Chandler specializes in designing clothes, she is also an extremely talented artist. With her many capabilities, I feel confident that she has a very bright future ahead. I am astonished by some of the work she has done, and I cannot wait to support her future brand! On an ending note, good friend Shelton Honey speaks on their friendship, stating, “Chan is such a special friend and I cannot imagine my time at RMA without her. She is also one of the most reliable and dependable people I know. She never fails to check on me and her other friends and always puts others before herself. She is incredibly creative and smart and I know she is going to use her talents to do great things in her future, wherever she ends up next year. I sure will miss her, her fun-loving spirit, and especially our Taylor Swift jam sessions in the car next year. However, I know she will always be one phone call away.”

Get to know Chandler below:

What is your favorite movie? – Can’t Buy Me Love 

What is your favorite album?- Pacifico by Surfaces or Reputation by Taylor Swift 

What advice do you leave to those at RMA?- Embrace the fact that it’s a small school, because it’s an environment you won’t get at college, even at a small one. Take time to appreciate the fact that you have an opportunity to get so close with all your classmates and your teachers. 

Favorite restaurant?- Mama’s Pizza. Even after the Rocky Mount one closed, I’ll drive to the Tarboro one with my grandparents to go. 

What is your favorite memory at RMA?- Prom was such a fun night, especially since it was our first dance post-Covid. 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?- Definitely flight 

Who is your role model?- Probably my parents. They’re very different people, but they each support and inspire me in so many different ways. 

If you could trade lives with any celebrity, who would it be?- Kendall Jenner. She gets to go to every fashion show imaginable, including NYFW, Paris Fashion Week, and the MET Gala. Jealous! 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what three things would you bring?- Fruit, a beach towel, and sunglasses. If I’m going to be stuck on a beachy deserted island I might as well enjoy it.