2006-07 News

Three RMA Students Selected for NC Governor's School
Schmitt, Mayo, and Varma

Rocky Mount Academy had three of its high school students selected to attend The Governor’s School of North Carolina over the summer. Ryan Mayo, Kristen Schmitt, and Shaunak Varma, all members of the RMA Class of 2008, spent six weeks of their summer vacation taking advantage of this summer residential program for academically and intellectually gifted high school students, which is the oldest one of its type in the US .

Mayo attended Governor’s School West at Salem College, in the concentration of Art. He studied a full range of art over the last one hundred years while being challenged to capture the very essence of Governor’s School, exploration and knowledge, in the creation of his own 2D and 3D work.

Schmitt and Varma both attended Governor’s School East on the campus of Meredith College. Schmitt studied Natural Science where she got the rare chance, as a student, to go beyond the textbooks and look at the connection between society and biology, geology and chemistry.

Varma was in the Math concentration. He too had the opportunity to move beyond the typical classroom experience and expand his knowledge of mathematical concepts and processes as they relate to the real world.

Students from RMA regularly receive the opportunity to participate in such summer experiential learning programs as Governor’s School, Boys and Girls State, Summer Ventures, and National Leadership Forums.
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Thirteen RMA High Schoolers Earn AP Distinction

Thirteen students at Rocky Mount Academy earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exams. Only 18% of the more than 1.4 million high school students who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.

Six RMA seniors from the Class of 2007 qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.5 (out of 5) on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Three RMA students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Finally, four RMA students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP exams with grades of 3 or higher.

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams. Rocky Mount Academy taught ten AP courses in the 2006-07 school year.
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RMA 7th Graders Recognized for Outstanding Performance on College Entrance Exams

Sixty-four percent (33 students) of the 2006-07 seventh grade qualified to take the College Board SAT this year through the Duke University TIP program. These students were identified for the TIP program based on their achievement test scores the previous year. They had to score in the 95th percentile or higher in one or more categories of the test.

Many of these 33 students chose to take the test, and, from that group, Olivia Boddie, Emma Park, and Laura Todd were recognized by Duke at the NC Recognition Ceremony for having scored at least a 520 on the math portion or a 510 on the English section.
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Rocky Mount Academy students move forward

By Carolyn Casey
Rocky Mount Telegram

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Before the graduates at the end of the alphabet could process through the crowd, screams of excitement rang from the hallway outside Rocky Mount Academy's gym Friday night.

The 34 members of the Class of 2007 received their diplomas during an intimate ceremony that brought laughter and tears to the students and audience.

Telegram photo / Jason Ivester

(ENLARGE)

Rocky Mount Academy graduate Emily Creech, second from left, flashes a smile as Headmaster Tom Stevens reads the accolades of another graduate during commencement exercises Friday at the school.

"It's a class with extremely capable kids," Headmaster Tom Stevens said about the class' athletic and academic achievements. "It's a class with tremendous strength and a class of really great kids."

Stevens recognized each graduate during the ceremony. He spoke of their individual talents and qualities and their next steps after high school.

Of the 34 graduates, 12 started at the school in pre-K or kindergarten, he said.

Students from the graduating class spoke of their years at Rocky Mount Academy.

Leadership, faculty, community service and athletics were on the list that embodied their experience.

"We head out into the future confident that we'll succeed in everything we want to achieve," said graduate Brittany Tharrington.

Tharrington and Elizabeth Bailey were both named salutatorian.

Christopher Jensen, who has held the highest grade point average since sixth grade, was named valedictorian.

A video presentation reflected on class trips, proms, Halloween parties and the years they spent in the Lower School.

A black slide left the class with the message, "All these memories will last forever ... ."
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Jensen Competes in US Dept. of Education's Presidential Scholars Program

Chris Jensen, a graduating senior at Rocky Mount Academy, has been named one of approximately 550 semifinalists in the 2007 Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from more than 2700 candidates on the basis of superior achievements, leadership qualities, personal character, and involvement in community and school activities.

Final selection of the Scholars will be made by the Commissions on Presidential Scholars, a group of eminent citizens appointed by the President, and will be announced in May. The Commission will select one young man and one young woman from each state, the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico, and US students living abroad; up to 20 students representing the visual, literary and performing arts; and 15 students at-large.

Scholars will be invited to Washington , DC, for several days in the second half of June to receive the Presidential Scholars medallion at the recognition ceremony and to participate in various activities and events held in their honor.

The 508 semifinalists in the program’s academic component were initially selected as candidates for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment. For the arts component of the program, 41 additional semifinalists were nominated by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts, which annually conducts a competitive, national talent search of over 6500 young artists in a wide range of disciplines.

Semifinalists were chosen by a panel of distinguished educators after a review of students’ essays, self-assessments, descriptions of activities, school recommendations, and school transcripts.
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Daniel Hood Wins Only Park Scholarship in Rocky Mount Area

RMA Senior, Daniel Hood, has won a Park Scholarship to NC State University for 2007. He was the only student in Nash County/Rocky Mount to be chosen to receive this prestigious four-year award (valued at $59,000) with a computer stipend for top-of-the-line technology specific to each major. It includes the full cost of attendance: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and personal and travel expenses. Only 50 North Carolinians received this scholarship this year.

For further information about Daniel, click here.
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RMA Headmaster Touts Achievement

Reprinted from Rocky Mount Telegram
By Tom Murphy
Friday, March 30, 2007

Rocky Mount Academy is a private school where effort and attitude are rewarded and students have the opportunity to succeed, Headmaster Thomas Stevens told Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club members Thursday.

"As members of our community, students learn to help each other," he said. "Our school is a place where learning never ends."

Rocky Mount Academy students begin preparing for college from the first day of enrollment, Stevens said. The academy's educational program for prekindergarten through 12th-grade students is designed to challenge academic abilities and help students mature as learners, he said.

"We strive to help students realize their potential as scholars, leaders, athletes and community members," he said. "Rocky Mount Academy has grown as an educational choice, and we prepare our students for challenges, opportunities and responsibilities they will face."

Parents who have children in a private school have made a proactive choice, Stevens said. Rocky Mount Academy has 451 students enrolled this year.

All 2006 graduates were accepted to college, Stevens said.

"Our students are not just the cream of the crop," he said. "We take average to superior kids.

"Our school is strong and growing. We're over 50 percent larger than we were 10 years ago. We teach character, responsibility and integrity. We have a community that instills and builds integrity, and we're part of a city with significant strengths and challenges."

As the world gets smaller and challenges increase, schools will have to become more focused on the individual, Stevens said.

"We must look at the strengths of an individual and match them with more and more people in the classroom," he said. "It's a way to measure what (students) are learning.

"Our teachers will be prepared to work in an ever-changing world of knowledge."

Rocky Mount Academy is looking at enrolling 454 students next school year, Stevens said.

"It is a happy family at Rocky Mount Academy, and it will be for decades to come," he said.
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Elizabeth Bailey Wins Wake Forest University's Poteat and Davis Scholarships

Elizabeth Bailey, a lifelong member of the RMA student body, has won a William Louis Poteat Scholarship to Wake Forest University as well as an Egbert L. Davis, Jr. Scholarship. The Poteat, valued at approximately $12,000/year, was given to only 28 North Carolina Baptists who have demonstrated excellent academic achievement, the promise of leadership, and involvement in one's church and society. The Davis Scholarship provides merit-based aid to students from North Carolina who show "outstanding academic performance, diligence, integrity, character, leadership, and reasonable athletic competence."

"We are so proud of Elizabeth winning these coveted scholarships from one of the most prominent universities in the United States," said Thomas R. Stevens, RMA Headmaster. "She definitely exhibits the qualities for which they were searching for students to carry on the tradition of these scholarships," he added.

Elizabeth has consistently been on the RMA Honor Roll in high school. She is a member of the RMA Varsity Tennis team and editor of the RMA yearbook. She is a Co-Stage Director for the Upper School Musical. She has served as Musical Director of her church's Vacation Bible School and participated in its youth choir, the youth and adult hand bell choirs, and the youth fellowship group. She has performed other community service through Gatekeepers and the Debuette Club.

Elizabeth is the daughter of Tillman and Susan Bailey.
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Nationally Acclaimed Children's Author Talks FAST About Writing

More Photos

RMA Lower School students were treated to a writing lesson from one of the nation's most acclaimed children's authors, Kimberly P. Johnson. The North Carolina native and author of eight children's books told the students to think of their minds as machines. She gave them her five best tips to great writing: find your story's Focus, use descriptive Adjectives, replace boring verbs with Strong ones, and use Transitions in your story. The students were taking notes as fast as they could, and one could see the wheels turning in their minds towards a more dynamic style of writing. Johnson also autographed copies of her books and took questions about becoming an author.
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RMA Does Well in First Vocal Competition

Congratulations to eighth graders Sallie Bailey, Paige Cobb, and George Thorne and their music teacher Dooley Ezzard. These three students each received a superior rating for his/her performance March 3. This was RMA’s first time at Solo & Ensemble competition, and earning superiors is a great feather in their cap!
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Two RMA Girls Show Their Word Power

Two Middle School girls are on their way to the state competition of the Reader's Digest Word Power Challenge. They are among the highest scorers in North Carolina of the written Word Power test given recently after they won their grade level competition here at RMA.

The Reader's Digest Word Power Challenge is a vocabulary contest. Questions range from asking for the word's definition to asking for its antonym or for it to be used properly in a sentence. The seventh and eighth grade girls will go for the state title on March 19. RMA tenth grader Allen Rowe was the NC winner of the Word Power Challenge in 2005 and went on to the national competition. At stake is a $25,000 college scholarship for the first place winner. Scholarships are also given to the second and third place national winners.
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Four RMA Seniors Are Finalists for Prestigious Scholarships

Rocky Mount Academy may have one of the smallest graduating classes in the area, but among its 35 seniors, it has four students who are in the running for four of the state’s and nation’s most prestigious scholarships.

Elizabeth Bailey is a finalist for the Poteat Scholarship at Wake Forest Universtiy. Tripp Callaway is a finalist for the Morehead Scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . Daniel Hood is a finalist for the Park Scholarship at NC State University, and Chris Jensen is a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

“It’s nice that we are not competing against each other.” Jensen said. “I would not have wanted to be in that position,” he said, “even though we would never have behaved badly towards each other anyway.” These students’ bond goes way back to when they started their education together in preschool, and they are now finishing it together at RMA. Bailey, Callaway, and Hood have been at the Academy since Kindergarten, and Jensen rejoined them in sixth grade.

They said that it has been a long road to this point, but their hard work is paying off. RMA College Guidance Counselor Rick Ellis described these four students as “very humble” about themselves and their accomplishments. Ellis, who came to RMA this year from Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire where he was Director of Admissions, said that these seniors “are representative of their class. They are all pretty driven.” He said that “these students push each other in a non-confrontational way” to do their best. “The seriousness of RMA students was a factor in my leaving my college job and taking this one,” Ellis said. “It is definitely not un-cool to be smart around here,” he continued.

Even these students need extra help from time to time, and these seniors felt that they had benefited from teachers being accessible. “We can get extra help if we are struggling,” Hood said. They talked about calling one teacher over the weekend recently while they were working on a project. They also have time built into their school day to seek extra help.

They all said that they were thankful for Ellis as well. They had no experience with college applications. “I had no idea what I was supposed to do. I didn’t know that I needed to take SAT II’s for one of my schools until Mr. Ellis told me,” Jensen recalled. He also said that Ellis had encouraged him to apply to Harvard and MIT which were not on his original list.

“I’ve told them all to appreciate the moment. They deserve just as much as they are getting,” Ellis said.

The four finalists believe that the opportunity to be involved in student activities contributed to their getting this far in the scholarship competitions. “I don’t know if I would be where I am in the Morehead process,” Callaway mentioned, “were it not for the opportunity to be involved in sports and student government.” All of these scholarships are looking for students who succeed not only inside the classroom but outside as well. Hood agreed that they had more opportunities than they may have had at a big school. “It was easier to get involved. Since you knew everyone, it made it more comfortable to join the clubs,” he expressed. Jensen said he thinks a smaller school makes it more comfortable for a student “to explore an area that you are not necessarily practiced or gifted in.” They all looked at sports as one of the best memories they will take from RMA. Approximately 85% of all age-eligible students play at least one sport a year at Rocky Mount Academy .
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Keeping up with the Eagles

By Jessie H. Nunery
Rocky Mount Telegram

Friday, February 09, 2007

While sitting in a meeting more than a month ago, I approached sports editor Ben Jones with an idea.

"I'd like to practice with an area basketball team and see what that's like," I said.

Telegram photo / Alan Campbell

(ENLARGE)

Sports writer Jessie H. Nunery practiced with Rocky Mount Academy to gain a feel of what varsity hoops is like from the court

Ben laughed (as did some of my co-workers) and gave the OK. I then spoke with Rocky Mount Academy athletics director/boys' basketball coach Renny Taylor about the idea. Taylor was all for it, so last week, this 26-year-old hit the practice floor with the Eagles, who, with a win tonight, will claim an outright stake of the Eastern Plains Independent Conference regular-season title.

I spent an hour and a half with the team running a few sprints, working on free-throw shooting, breaking full-court presses and rebounding.

Most importantly, I lived to write the story. I play basketball three times a week anyway, so I wasn't worried about being able to keep up. To tell the truth, the thing that was most difficult – other than trying to bring the ball up against Eagles point guard Micah Baines, keep up with the shooting of Mike Schmitt and boxing out Alex Holland – was jumping rope. Other than the bad jump rope experience and wearing white-side of the practice jersey instead of blue to begin practice, I can hold up my head.

I hit 13 of the 17 free throws attempted in practice, and during a shooting drill with Eagles guards Baines and John Paul Brown, our group finished first once. My 5-foot-6 frame even allowed me to grab a couple of rebounds during a five-on-five drill that stressed the importance of boxing out.

But this practice wasn't about if the sports writer could keep up with the adolescents. Even with pats on the back and members of the team commenting on how well I did, (Taylor said I could have made the team if I was 18 years old, and he called me a shooting guard in a point guard's body) the Eagles were focused on becoming a better team for the upcoming playoffs.

Tripp Callaway started practice on a sharp note by reciting a quote Taylor had given the team word for word. RMA had just come off back-to-back losses where the team didn't rebound or shoot free throws well, which was the emphasis of practice.

Taylor initiates discussion during practice, but it is the players' jobs to explain back to the coach what they had been thinking.

"We really try and figure out why you do what you do," Taylor said. "This group has been really good. We will stop practice at any time if we have a question."

Taylor said at this point in the season, the goal is to fine-tune basketball principles – not teach them. Taylor added that he also walks the fine line of attempting to keep his team fresh, mentally and physically, at this point in the year.

The next day, RMA defeated Arendell-Parrott Academy by 19 points and kept its top-five ranking in the NCISAA 2-A state poll.

No, these Eagles don't need me – even though it would be fun to play high school basketball. They're doing just fine.

Editor's Note: The Eagles went on to win the 2007 EPIC Championship, beating St. David's of Raleigh.
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Artistic Talent of RMA Students Is Recognized in Prestigious Circle

Congratulations to RMA high schoolers Ryan, Ryan Mayo, and Carson Russell who have earned Gold Keys in the 29th annual Scholastic Arts Awards. This program is conducted nationally by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, a not-for-profit arts organization. Artwork is judged regionally, and the winning pieces are sent on to New York City to be judged nationally in the largest annual assessment of American art students. The Eastern/Central North Carolina region, in which our students competed, stretches from the Triad to the Triangle to the coast.

McCall Ballentine and P.J. Roberson were Silver Key winners.

This is the second year that our students have been recognized in this competition. Last year, RMA had a Silver Key winner in the national competition.
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Young RMA Authors Win Statewide Competition

Rocky Mount Academy boasts two State winners of the NC Young Authors competition. Zeke Chesis and Maxwell Miller, both second graders, are among the 255 authors whose stories were recognized from a field of 750 works. The winners will have their stories published in a book. In total, RMA had four young authors (Hayley Sigmon, 4th grade, Anne Claire Williams, 5th grade, Chesis, and Miller) who were among the 20 local winners from independent and public schools and were selected to have their writing sent to the state level. Congratulations to all four and to their teachers. This annual competition is sponsored by the International Reading Association and its local chapters.
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RMA Seniors Solidly Compete for Prestigious College Scholarships

Rocky Mount Academy seniors have stood out to the Morehead and Park Scholarship foundations this year. Three members of the RMA Class of 2007 have been selected as Morehead Scholarship Semifinalists, and two members of the class have been notified that they are Park Scholarship Semifinalists.

“Out of a class of 35 students, this is fantastic news,” RMA Headmaster Thomas R. Stevens commented. Rocky Mount Academy has three of six local Morehead semifinalists and two of four local Park semifinalists this year. “As much as I’d like for the school to take all the credit for these students receiving these opportunities, it would not be appropriate. Making it to this stage of the competition speaks not only to the academic experience that they have had at RMA but also to the type of young person that we have here and to these students’ special talents. Our students, as represented in these seniors, are well-rounded individuals and enjoy a healthy balance of learning and life,” he added.

The Morehead Scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill is worth approximately $80,000 over four years to the lucky recipients. The Park Scholarship at NC State also covers full tuition and a stipend, worth about $59,000 per student.

Daniel Hood, son of Martin and Elizabeth Hood , has been named a semifinalist for both scholarships. Daniel has attended Rocky Mount Academy since Kindergarten. He was recognized earlier this school year by National Merit Scholarship as a Commended Student. He has consistently been on the Honor Roll at RMA since the sixth grade. He plays soccer at RMA and served as team captain this fall. He is also Vice President of the Senior Class. Hood earned the Eagle Scout rank in 2005.

Tripp Callaway, son of Joe and Karen Callaway , is also one of RMA’s Morehead semifinalists. Callaway, who has attended RMA since Kindergarten, has been involved in its soccer and basketball programs. He was the co-captain of the 2006 soccer team. He has earned straight A’s throughout high school, is in the National Honor Society, and is an Academic Marshal this year. He is an Eagle Scout and has been involved in numerous other community activities.

Michael Schmitt is one of the two RMA students who has been named a Park Scholarship semifinalist. The son of David and Misty Schmitt , he has been a leader at the school since entering in his sixth grade. Schmitt is this year’s Upper School Student Government Association President and an Academic Marshal. This season, Schmitt is Captain of the basketball team. Schmitt participated in Governor’s School in 2006 and attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in 2005. He has been involved in Gatekeepers locally.

Brittany Tharrington, daughter of Rita Kuhn and step-daughter of Keith Kuhn, has spent her entire school career since Pre-Kindergarten at RMA. She is a semifinalist for the Morehead Scholarship. In high school, Tharrington has been captain of the volleyball team, a member of the swim team, the Spanish Club, Key Club, and the National Honor Society. She is an Academic Marshal this year and Editor of the yearbook.
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RMA Students Give During the Holiday Season

Rocky Mount Academy students in all grades took on community service projects this holiday season, learning the important lesson that the school stresses of helping others .

“The RMA Mission is to prepare our students for life and college, and community service is a requirement for graduation. At the holiday season each year, however, we get the whole school involved in it. We want community service to be second nature for these future leaders so they learn to live in the community and for the community,” Headmaster Thomas R. Stevens explained.

RMA first graders wrote and mailed letters to troops in Iraq who are serving with the cousin of one of the classmates. The Lower School (PK-5^th) collected 71 shoeboxes filled with gifts and necessities for Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. The shoeboxes will be distributed to children in impoverished or war-torn regions of the world. The Middle and Upper School students (6^th-12^th) had a huge outpouring of support for seven foster children. They collected more than $1700 to buy gifts for these youth.

“I realize that I am fortunate to have what I do and that not everyone does,” said 8^th grader Sallie Bailey, Vice President of the Middle School Student Government Association. “I really enjoyed giving these kids their entire Christmas present. It was neat to think that we made their Christmas,” she reflected.
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RMA Student Artwork Featured at the Imperial Centre

Works by Rocky Mount Academy art students will be featured in the Student Gallery at the Imperial Centre December 5 through December 31. Work from Lower, Middle and High School art classes will be on display.

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An Ace With New Digs
Eagles' Schmitt comfortable with RMA squad

By Jessie H. Nunery
Reprinted Courtesy of Rocky Mount Telegram
Sunday, October 15, 2006

No matter her surroundings, Rocky Mount Academy junior Kristin Schmitt is a young woman who has no problems fitting in.

Her Eagles volleyball teammates are quite fond of her. During a practice two weeks ago, Schmitt, who transferred this season from Rocky Mount High, had no choice but to smile. While being photographed, her teammates gave her a hard time, yelling out, "Work it girl!," or whistling behind her back.

After practice, a few teammates tried to roll her up in a mat. It's during these times when Schmitt feels no regrets about becoming an Eagle, leaving her two years as a Gryphon behind. But it wasn't easy.

"I discovered there were a lot of opportunities here that I couldn't get at (Rocky Mount High)," Schmitt said.

Those opportunities lie mostly on the academics side. Schmitt no longer has block scheduling and is now at a school that offers seven classes per semester and a study hall. She says her advanced placement courses are very challenging.

Athletically, Schmitt, who also plays basketball, was torn on her decision to attend RMA. Her mother works at the school and her brother Mike is a senior at RMA.

Schmitt made many friends at Rocky Mount High and adored Gryphons coaches Debbie Webb (volleyball) and Pam Gainey (basketball). Schmitt was extremely close with Gryphons' Stephanie Allen, Brittany Pulley and Deaudra Brown, to name a few.

"I kind of felt like I left them hanging," Schmitt said.

Schmitt added she still sees and speaks with many of her former teammates, who understood her decision to leave.

Schmitt's decision wasn't made until volleyball practice had started at RMA. On the third day of practice, RMA coach JoAnna Stegall was surprised by Schmitt's arrival.

"Her serving has been awesome," Stegall said. "She's pretty consistent there. She's brought an all-around game."

Schmitt said she plays more defense than she would have at Rocky Mount High, but she is discovering she's pretty good there.

She will meet a few more new friends when basketball season begins next month.

Athletics remains the same for Schmitt – public or private school.

"The competition is a big surprise," Schmitt said. "We've played girls that have already committed to colleges. I didn't realize there would be that much competition. A lot of girls are really athletic."

Schmitt spends her time balancing homework, a job, and social time. She even has a few classes with her brother, whom she often eats lunch with.

"I love going to school with my brother," Schmitt said. "I couldn't ask for a better brother than him."

Schmitt's attitude shows her current coach that one can move on, have a good time, yet not forget those in the past.

"She's met a good group of girls she's clicked with," Stegall said. "She says nothing but good things about her old school and coaches."
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Chris Jensen is 2007 National Merit Semifinalist

Thomas R. Stevens, Headmaster of Rocky Mount Academy, has announced that Christopher E. Jensen is a 2007 National Merit Scholarship® Semifinalist representing North Carolina . A senior at RMA, Jensen competed for the scholarship initially by taking the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®). He qualified to be a Semifinalist because his score was among the highest in the competition of 1.4 million entrants.

As a Semifinalist for a Merit Scholarship®, Jensen must meet additional standards and fulfill several requirements to become a Finalist and to be considered in the rigorous competition. These requirements include having a record of very high academic performance, having SAT® scores that reflect his performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, and being fully endorsed and recommended by the high school principal.

Stevens said, “Chris Jensen goes into the Finalist competition with our highest endorsement. He is an outstanding student and well-rounded person. It has been a delight to educate him at RMA and to have him as one of our student leaders.” Jensen has received the Headmaster’s Award for six years in a row for carrying the highest grade point average in his class. He is also, this year, the Chief Marshal and a member of the cross country team. In the past, Jensen has played soccer. He has represented the school on academic competitions, including Brain Game and the ECU Math Competition.

Approximately 8200 Merit Scholarships will be awarded in 2007. Winners will receive either a National Merit $2500 scholarship, a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship, or a college-sponsored Merit Scholarship. Names of winners will begin to be announced in April.

Update: Jensen is now a finalist for the National Merit Scholarship
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Hood is named Commended Student

Thomas R. Stevens, Headmaster of Rocky Mount Academy, announced today that RMA Senior Daniel M. Hood has been named a Commended Student in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program. Stevens will present a Letter of Commendation to Hood from Rocky Mount Academy and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Hood and others placed among the top five percent of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2007 competition by taking the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

“Recognition of academically talented students and the key role played by schools in their development is essential to the pursuit of educational excellence in our nation,” commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “The young people being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding academic potential by their strong performance in this highly competitive program. We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and that they will continue to pursue scholastic excellence.”

“We are happy for Daniel that his outstanding academic achievement is being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. It is a well deserved honor,” Stevens said. He has been on the Honor Roll since sixth grade. This year, he was captain of the Varsity Soccer team and is Vice President of his senior class.
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School Commemorates Sept. 11 Anniversary

The Rocky Mount Academy student body and faculty stopped work at 10 AM on Monday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on America . The RMA community gathered around the flagpole and were joined by members of the Rocky Mount Police and Fire Departments, Nash Country EMS, NC Parole Department, and the NC Highway Patrol.

Upper School Student Government Association (SGA) President Michael Schmitt led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Headmaster Thomas R. Stevens started his remarks by reminding the students, some who were at the school that day and some who are too young to remember, that this was the greatest loss of civilian life in American history. He then recapped the events of that day and quoted then New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani who summed up the historic time in American life by saying, “We have met the worst of humanity with the best of humanity.” Stevens said, “It was a day that galvanized our country…to say that we do not accept that people should behave this way but should act courageously for the betterment of mankind through sacrifice and determination.”

“The heroes of that day,” Stevens told students and faculty, “are the same people who are here today – the people who courageously work everyday for everyone’s safety and security in our area, who are willing to go to work knowing that it is noble work that must be done but that they are risking their lives to do it.” He introduced each one of the law enforcement officials, while faculty and students applauded them.

SGA officers led the group in the official police, fire, and EMS prayers, and the ceremony concluded with a moment of silence for all persons who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001.
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Rocky Mount Academy Opens with Record Enrollment

By Natalie Jordan
Reprinted Courtesy of Rocky Mount Telegram
Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Teachers are in newly decorated classrooms, and students are filling up hallways as schools are back in session.

And for some private schools, the start of the new school year meant an increase in their enrollment.

Rocky Mount Academy saw an increase in enrollment this year with more than 450 students, which school officials said is the third year they've had a high number of students.

The school graduated 40 seniors last year. Usually the number of graduated seniors is replaced with the number of students placed in prekindergarten. But with larger classes graduating seniors and allotting for only 26 prekindergarten students, a difference of 14 students was needed to even out enrollment, said Millie Walker, Director of Enrollment Management at Rocky Mount Academy.

"We managed to make up for the students that graduated and the students we lose every year because of relocation, and we still managed to top our record," she said. "Our attrition rate was lower. We've lost fewer students than in previous years. It's a thrill that we have fewer kids leaving and more coming."

Walker said while overall enrollment is up, most of the school's growth occurred in its Lower School -- prekindergarten through fifth grade. The Lower School had 30 new students compared to 20 last school year, Walker said.

"There is room for growth in the Lower School," she said. "And I think families saw Lower School was the place to start."

The academy saw a drop in enrollment in the Middle School because those students were phased into the ninth grade this year. Walker said the school could not add more sections of classes to allow for more students, stunting the growth in the Middle School. She said space in sixth through ninth grades was full and there is limited space in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

"It always seems like Middle School has the most growth," said Beth Covolo, head of Lower School. "It's nice to see it be the Lower School. The earlier they come in, the better we can educate them.

"It's nice when we have 15 students in a classroom as opposed to 11. It provides for more opportunities."

Covolo said every grade in the Lower School, except for first grade, has two sections, and kindergarten is the largest it's ever been.
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2005-06 News
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