Sydney Waldrop ’26 has been selected as the Senior Speaker for the 2026 Commencement ceremony. Waldrop, from Studley, Va., is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Exceptional Education with a minor in Secondary Education. She pairs academic excellence with deep involvement in the RMC community, serving as a New Student Transition Captain, a Student Assistant for the Education Department, and a member of the Student Virginia Education Association, while competing as a dedicated member of RMC’s Equestrian team. 

Waldrop was named to the Dean’s List every semester of her college career and was recognized with the 2026 Virginia Scholars Award from the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society. She is an inducted member of the Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society, the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators, and the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.

After graduation, Waldrop will continue work at Avent Christian Childcare this summer until she starts her first full-time teaching position this fall as a Social Studies Teacher at Oak Knoll Middle School in Hanover County.

The senior speaker is chosen by the faculty Committee on College Life, in concurrence with the Office of the President, after auditions from prospective student speakers.