Author notes

Character Profile: Rayne Atwater

blntmaker

on March 16, 2007

Legal Name: Rayne Elisabeth Atwater
Occupation: Student (Sixth grade), Activist
Legal Status: Citizen of the United States with no criminal record, still a minor.
Place of birth: San Diego, California
Known relatives: Martin (father), Naomi (mother), Teddy (older brother), Siobhan (younger sister)
Group affiliation: Covington Middle School Student Body Government, Girls' Basketball Team, The GATE Program, Poetry & Creative Writing Club, Various advocacy groups
Base of operations: Sherman Oaks, California
History:
Rayne is the middle child of Martin Atwater, a former 12-year NFL pro linebacker and his wife, a defense attorney. His family settled in the San Fernando Valley after Martin Atwater suffered a career-ending injury. Mr. Atwater was offered a job as head coach of the Valley Oaks Community College football team, while Mrs. Atwater accepted a partnership at a law firm in Universal City.

Rayne exhibited an incredible amount of maturity early on in school. Much of that influence came from spending a great deal of time with her mother, from childbirth up until kindergarten. During her kindergarten years, she frequently mediated conflicts on the playground and in class. Throughout her elementary school years, Rayne was known as the on-campus "voice of reason" - she became a source of knowledge and wisdom among her peers. Even students, who did not know her, looked to her for positive influence and to some degree, legal representation. Rayne quickly became a leader among her peers, as well as a student advocate. She took on various student causes ranging from physical education activities to culturally-conscious field trips, to fund-raising efforts geared towards academic enrichment.

Rayne made big news across the city when she led a district-wide campaign to improve the quality of campus food after a lunchtime fatality occurred at a neighboring elementary school. The end result was an immediate ban of vending machines, as well as more stringent health specifications for food handling in the cafeteria. From that, Rayne grew even more influential in student circles well outside her own school. Conversely, her transition to middle school would prove to be difficult, which was further compounded by her advocating on her brother's behalf over his recent retention to the sixth grade. Still, Rayne continues her tough student activism with unwavering persistence.

Naturally, Rayne has made her share of enemies, most of which are unknown. She has already developed an antagonistic relationship with Covington Middle Principal, Robert Sloan and has an ongoing and extremely unfriendly rivalry with Chelsea Snow that apparently goes as far back as pre-school. Rayne has a bittersweet relationship with her brother's new friend, Desmond Blackshear.
Rayne's best friend since as early as kindergarten is Vanessa Castro. An inseparable duo, they're as close as sisters. Rayne has also developed a relationship with fellow GATE student, Seth Rosenhaus – she has said it's one of the most mature and respectful relationships she's ever formed with another boy, outside her older brother, Teddy.

Skills, abilities and interests:
Academically, Rayne is an exemplary student. She frequently spends her time researching and reading up on current events both foreign and domestic. However, her strict discipline of knowing the details and focusing on the truth makes her a bit obsessive compulsive. Health conscious, Rayne is also an above average athlete and strict vegetarian. Just like her mother, basketball is her favorite sport.

Beyond current events and social issues, Rayne is an avid reader and writer. She has penned several poems, been published in her school and local newspaper and is preparing a manuscript for a book to be published after her middle school years.