Getting to know Rockira: From the first day she started the UP RVA program, Rockira has embodied excellence. Not only is she UP RVA’s first student to complete the full International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, she is a leader on the Trinity Episcopal School campus. Rockira has participated in summer programs provided by Stanford University and Rice University and will be taking her talents to Howard University this fall. Rockira is a changemaker in every essence of the word!
What are your favorite subjects in school?
My favorite class is IB Global Politics because I am interested in the curriculum, and it is constantly changing. I also enjoy visual arts because I get to express my creativity.
What has been your favorite extracurricular activity in high school?
I really enjoyed managing the varsity basketball team because it enhanced the sense of community I felt at Trinity.
In what ways have you changed the most between the start of your 9th-grade year and now being in your final year of high school?
I feel like I was more closed-minded at the start of my 9th grade year, and would not participate in new experiences. Throughout my four years at Trinity, I joined a lot of school events and activities, which ultimately helped me grow as a person and open new doors to new opportunities that I would not have otherwise achieved.
What has been the best part of attending Trinity?
Being able to grow in rigor and take more challenging classes allowed me to get into a lot of colleges and allowed me to grow as a student. Similarly, the teachers are always willing to provide help on a daily basis, so getting help was very easy and helpful as long as I went to see them.
What has been the most challenging thing about high school? Did UP RVA help you overcome that challenge? If so, how?
The most challenging thing about high school was entering a new environment where I did not know anyone, while most people already knew each other. I was completely on my own in classes, so when something happened or I needed something, UP RVA was always there for me. They would help me through things and also communicate with Trinity to ensure I had what I needed to succeed.
You have participated in summer programs for the past two years. Share a little about what you learned about yourself by participating in those programs.
The summer after my 10th-grade year, UP RVA provided me with the opportunity to go to Stanford University and attend a summer law program. While at Stanford, I realized I had a genuine passion for law because I had a rush of adrenaline through my body that I had not felt before while in the courtroom. It ultimately helped me to follow the pre-law path and want to become a lawyer.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still be a part of UP RVA? Why?
Yes, I would be a part of UP RVA. Although academics opened a lot of doors for me, UP RVA provided so many opportunities that I would not have been able to capitalize on, both financially and through networking.
What are the 2 or 3 things you want people to know about how UP RVA helps its students?
UP RVA helps students by creating a tight-knit community. Additionally, they always provide for us financially, academically, socially, and emotionally.
