Rayah McAfee

She is the type of student-athlete who competes hard, leads naturally, encourages others well, and somehow still manages to make everyone around her feel included. Whether she is diving across the volleyball court, stepping onto the lacrosse field, serving at church, or helping represent her school as an ambassador, Rayah brings the same steady presence everywhere she goes. And perhaps that is what stands out most about her. Not just talent. Leadership. A freshman at East Coweta High School, Rayah already plays both JV and Varsity lacrosse while also competing with an elite volleyball team through Tsunami Volleyball. Volleyball has been part of her life for the past three years, while lacrosse came much more unexpectedly. In fact, Rayah bought her first lacrosse stick just two days before tryouts. Now, she is helping compete in varsity playoff games as a freshman. Her athletic ability is impressive, but what makes Rayah unique is the perspective she brings to competition. “You can be the best player on the court or field, but if you aren’t encouraging or uplifting, talent doesn’t matter,” Rayah shared. “Make sure to be the best teammate you can be.” That mindset seems to shape everything she does. Rayah has learned that attitude often matters more than ability, and that leadership is less about attention and more about how you treat people around you. Friends, coaches, teachers, and teammates consistently describe her as inclusive, uplifting, and someone who sets high standards for herself without feeling the need to follow the crowd. As the oldest of three siblings, she carries that same sense of responsibility at home and in the community. At school, Rayah serves as a School Ambassador, a leadership position earned through a competitive selection process that included essays and interviews. In the role, she works alongside school leadership and teachers to help represent and support the student body. Outside of sports and academics, her faith also plays a major role in her life. At church, Rayah volunteers in the two-year-old Sunday school class where she has unofficially earned the title of “Creative Director.” Somehow, she has mastered what may be one of the most difficult tasks in children’s ministry history—painting with a room full of two-year-olds without getting paint on a single Sunday dress or tiny button-up outfit. That small detail says a lot about who she is. Patient. Intentional. Joyful. The kind of person younger kids naturally gravitate toward. Rayah says one of her favorite parts of sports is the relationships and friendships built along the way. Whether traveling across the country for volleyball tournaments or competing locally with East Coweta lacrosse, the connections she makes continue to shape her experience. One of her favorite memories so far was helping her volleyball team earn fifth place at the AAU National Tournament in 2025. Looking ahead, Rayah is considering cosmetology school or potentially pursuing a business degree through college athletics. But regardless of where life eventually takes her, one thing already feels clear: Rayah McAfee is the kind of young leader every community hopes to raise—competitive but humble, driven but kind, confident but grounded. And perhaps most importantly, she is already learning something many adults spend years trying to figure out: Success means very little if you are not helping others along the way.