Senior Sophie Drake has been named Noon Optimist Student of the Month for February.
"In my 21 years in education, I am not sure I have met a student as kind and authentic as Sophie Drake," said science teacher Mike Hudson. "Simply a wonderful person, Sophie also has intellectual gifts and a talent for art. In my AP Biology class, she has performed very well and shows all the traits of a good science student. Sophie will see a lot of success in her life and I look forward to seeing her accomplish great things!"
A day student who has been enrolled at Darlington since third grade, Drake has taken 12 Honors and AP courses during her high school career. A graduate of the Rome-Floyd Chamber's High School Leadership Rome program, she is a member of Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society and National Art Honor Society.
A talented artist, Drake's work has been featured both around campus and in the community at large.
"What was most touching was her independently creating two portraits of friends who passed away last year," said Kathy O'Mara, Upper School art teacher. "This is the hallmark of an artist: to use their art to express a feeling, emotion, or vision. Close to both of these students, it must have been incredibly hard to do this yet she did so to honor them and their families."
Most recently, Drake designed a piece for Rome Area Council for the Arts' annual HeART Project installation in downtown Rome, a partnership with AdventHealth Redmond that aims to bring positive awareness to heart health by displaying a variety of artwork showcasing different interpretations of what heart health means.
"Sophie has given back to her community in big ways over the last few years," said Kim Bell, head of Regester House. "She has been an integral part of our Community Service Team at Darlington and has been involved in many of the non-profit agencies that we partner with. She has volunteered her time and knowledge at Delightascope children's camp, Angels of Misfit Dogs, and Compassionate Paws to name a few. I’m confident that she will be an awesome servant leader in her college community, too!"
The daughter of Misty and Sonny Rigas of Rome, Sophie will be honored at an Optimist Club luncheon on Feb. 28.
