GATORHAWK February 2022

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF EAST COLUMBUS JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Volume I, Issue I
February 2022

Featured in this Issue

26 Illustrated Feature
Stories about Students
and Staff at ECJSHS

First ISSUE!GATORHAWK1

The Gator Media staff works on the first issue of GATORHAWK.

Welcome to our first issue

Welcome to the first issue of the first courses, programs and teams that make

volume of East Columbus Junior-Senior up the world of East Columbus.

High School’s new magazine, We will feature graduates from the

GATORHAWK. past 30 years and what they are up to

It’s the newest and most exciting these days. We want to highlight the

product that East Columbus’s Gator success stories of Gators who walked our

Media program has produced. halls from 1992 until the present.

As the advisor for this program, I have We are hoping to produce a new online

to hand it to the 16 youngsters who issue every four to six weeks.

comprise this semester’s Gator Media We’re also delighted to be able to offer

staff. actual physical copies of each issue of this

They have done a masterful job of magazine.

writing, photographing and assembling Using companies such as Blurb and

this debut issue. MagCloud, readers can order real copies

You can meet this talented bunch on of each issue of this magazine in beautiful

pages 4 and 5. color and on glossy pages,

GATORHAWK will be a place to learn We hope you enjoy this issue as well as

about the students and staff of East the many more we are planing to bring

Columbus. We will feature their stories. you. Not just this semester, but, we’re

We will feature their art and their hoping, for years to come.

writings. GATORHAWK 2

We’ll cover at length the various clubs, Fuller Royal

INSIDE
Celebrating 30 Years: 1992-2022

On The Cover 6 Jayla McKoy
7 R.J. Hester
ECJSHS junior Carter Watts practices his 8 Anthony Martin
welding technique in a photo captured by 10 Brad Smith
Gator Media staffer Addison Benson, a 12 Tamira Brown
sophomore. 13 Bailey Padgett
14 Fred Pedro
16 Tara Williamson
22 Macey Rogers
23 Jonah Webb
26 Victoria Perdue
29 Jennifer Hunt
30 Camila Jauregui
31 Callie Jacobs
36 Miguel Andrade
37 Jada Hines
40 Martin Migue
42 Brandon Smith
43 Gage Simmons
46 Hunter Cavanaugh
50 Jaden Troy
53 Gabriel Hutchings
54 Jayvon Bright
55 Milana Graham
60 Liberty Carroll
66 Alicia Pickett

GATORHAWK 3

The GATORHAWK Crew

Jade Bright is a 15-year- Sophomore Sacred Ninth-grader Sara Anistyn Carr
old ninth grader and is an Sutton, 15, said he likes Sessions plays softball
aspiring nurse. Her favorite East’s teaching staff. and tennis and serves as
class is musical theater Reading is his favorite the sentinel for the FFA
because she can be class. Melissa Robon is chapter. She likes to watch
herself. Her favorite his favorite teacher sunsets at the lake, hang
teacher is 1st Sgt. James because she is invested in out with her sisters and
Alston because she can her students. He wants to cousins, make people
depend on him. Her role be a registered nurse and laugh and attend N.C.
model is her mother likes R&B music, The State games. Her role
because she is a strong Help, pizza and HBO’s models are her sisters,
woman. Bright is also a Euphoria. Duke is his Graceanna and Sealey.
part of the junior varsity favorite team. He enjoys “They always put others
cheerleading team and reading the book Wonder. before themselves and can
loves to ride four wheelers. always be counted on.”

Senior Gracie Gazaway, Victoria Perdue is a Naomi Sessoms Freshman Norah
17, lives with their sophomore. She recently Sessoms, 14, is daughter
parents Tim and Rebecca won first place in the of Janelle and Chad
Troyer in Whiteville. Columbus County Poetry Sessoms. Her favorite
Although they enjoy a Out Loud competition. She thing at East is the variety
variety of courses, the is moving on to the state of classes. Her favorite
course they enjoy most is semi-finals. She has 16 class is horticulture. She
English because of their snakes that she cares for likes being in the green
love for writing. Their at her Lake Waccamaw house and working with
favorite teacher is Alicia home. Perdue plans to plants. Her favorite
Pickett because she attend a four-year teacher is Alicia Pickett.
makes them feel university to major in “Her class is fun and she’s
welcomed at East. They English. She wants to very nice.” She’s in FFA
are in the National Honor become a high school and plans to pursue a
Society, National Beta English teacher. degree in criminal justice.
Club and FFA.

GATORHAWK 4

Sophomore Charley Senior Kiley Smith is the Junior Raegan Horrell is Sophomore Josh Martin is
Tilley is active with East’s daughter of Sonia and a 16-year-old student at the son of Tamara and Lee
FFA chapter. Her favorite Joshua Smith. The 18- East Columbus Junior- Luzader and a resident of
teachers are Alicia Pickett year-old’s favorite Senior Highschool. Her Riegelwood. He likes East
and Brittany Edwards classes are journalism favorite class is visual arts. because the staff cares for
because no matter what and JROTC. Her favorite Horrell said her biggest the students. His favorite
is going on “they always teacher is Melissa Robon role models are her class is automotive. “It’s a
make a huge effort to because she’s always parents. She loves to write low-stress environment.”
show each and every there to help. Smith said and listen to music. Horrell His favorite teacher is
person that they really her role model is her said she wants to improve Fuller Royal because, “he
care about them.” In her mother because she has her art and writing skills has a good sense of
free, time she likes to always been supportive and make that into a humor and I feel like I can
read, and her favorite of her. Smith loves music career in the future. talk to him.” He enjoys
television show is Grey's and her favorite television straight A’s, FFA and
Anatomy. show is The Voice. working at Piggly Wiggly in
Riegelwood.

Senior Zaryia Robinson, Junior Harmony Marcell Mitchell Senior Ian Masters is a
18, is a resident of Somerville is a member North Carolina native and
Hallsboro. They have of the National Beta Club, has lived in the Lake
taken many classes the National Honor Waccamaw area for most
including their favorites, Society and the student of his life. He enjoys
art and journalism. They council. She said that playing video games with
have been an active English III is her favorite his friends, taking photos
member of the journalism course because of the of the lake and creating
and yearbook clubs since teacher Judy Pettaway. artwork. He works at Hill’s
their sophomore year. She said James Alston part time as a cashier. He
They most enjoy taking and Andrew Crockwell are loves journalism because
photos for various projects also favorite teachers he gets to talk to others
for the class. They have because of how much and meet new people. He
made many great friends they care for her and the loves being a part of the
during their time in other students at East. activities around school.
journalism.

GATORHAWK 5

McKoy would
love to be a
military nurse

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF

ECJSHS eighth-grader Jayla
McKoy is glad that the Columbus
County Board of Education merged
the seventh and eighth grades of
Acme-Delco and Hallsboro elementary
schools.

“All of my friends are together,”
said the 14-year-old daughter of
Courtney Freeman and Obadiah
Jones.

She said her favorite teacher is
Coach Zach Sellers. “He has a better
understanding of the kids,” she said.

Sellers also teaches McKoy’s
favorite class, I Ready. “I learn the
most in there.” Sellers is also one of
her role models. The others are Tonya
Jacobs And Cindy Freeman.

She is a cheerleader for the
ECJSHS Hawks. She is also active
with the school’s JROTC.

Outside of school, she works out at
the gym and likes to run track.

She would ike to attend college and
work at the same time. The military is
also a possible option for her.

McKoy likes Rap Music, chicken
and the Vampire Diaries. She likes the
new Scream movie and Diary of a
Wimpy Kid.

Her favorite team is the Eagles and
she likes playing Grand Theft Auto 5.

She said the sleeping emoji that
best describes her because she likes to
sleep. A hidden talent she has is “I can
sing really well,”

Her dream job would be working as
a mlitary nurse.

If she won a million dollars, she
said she “would help kids with cancer
and aloepecia.”

GATORHAWK 6

Meet R.J.

By NORAH SESSOMS

Gator Media Staff

R.J. Hester is a student at
East Columbus Junior-Senior
High School who said he
really enjoys school because
of his teachers and his
friends.

The 16-year-old junior
participates in various clubs
and activities such as JROTC,
the National Beta Club and
the National Honor Society.

He is in honors classes and
plans to attend a four-year
college.

He enjoys Hip-Hop music,
Instagram and the Brooklyn
Nets basketball team.

GATORHAWK 7

“When you teach,
you often learn just as
much as the students.”

Anthony Martin

This page: Sophomore Noah GATORHAWK 8
Flowers checks settings on a
3-D printer in Anthony Martin’s
class. Facing page: Anthony
Martin jokes with his students.

By RAEGAN HORRELL

Gator Media Staff

East Columbus Junior-Senior High

School began the 2021-22 school year with

the addition of a “technology guru.”

Anthony Martin joined the staff last

August to teach advanced technology,

engineering and design.

Martin is married to Nicole and they

have two children, Ian and Jovie.

He spent three years as a child in Saudi

Arabia and grew up in Southwest Missouri

where he attended Republic High School.

Martin has a bachelor’s degree in

communications, a master’s degree in

instructional technology and his doctorate

degree in education administration and

leadership.

Before ECJSHS, Martin worked in the

Whiteville City Schools administration and

later taught courses at Southeastern

Community College.

He also provided professional pandemic, Martin said the students and
development opportunities for educators. staff at ECJSHS have given him a “ton of
support.”
Martin said he came to ECJSHS because
the school and district leadership wanted to When he isn’t at work, some of his
start a new program focused on technology hobbies include making things, camping
and technology repair.

“I love building

Martin brings his uniquethings, and the

opportunity to start a
new program was

skills to East studentsexciting,” he said.
He said he wanted

to experience public education from a with his family, being outdoors and playing

different perspective having come from video games.

administration. He is likes cooking and he loves coffee.

Martin said the thing he likes best about Martin says that he thinks relationships

working at East is its students. He said that and relevance work best in education.

ECJSHS students are supportive and “You have to show students that you

friendly. He added that he teaches his really care, and you have to show them why

subject because he has the content they are learning something,” he said,

knowledge, and he loves teaching in adding that what education needs most is

general. more people who want to be educators.

“When you teach, you often learn just as Martin said that teachers need students

much as the students,” he said. “Lifelong with good attendance, positive attitudes and

learning is important and learning new who are ready to pay attention and learn

things brings me joy.” even the “boring stuff.”

Another career he had considered was “There is a lot to love about East

being a gameshow host, but Martin said he Columbus. It is hard to narrow it down to

is happy with the choice he made. one thing. I have been impressed with how

Even though it has been challengGinAgTtOo RHAWcKom9mitted my coworkers are to the
start a new chapter in his career during a students,” he said.

Baseball is at heart of Smith’s
love for East Columbus

By CHARLEY TILLEY

Gator Media Staff

East Columbus physical education
teacher and varsity baseball coach Brad
Smith is married to Dana Smith. They have
two children, Easton, who’s 10, and Sadie,
who’s 6.

A Riegelwood resident, he has worked in
education for 15 years, including stints at
Evergreen Elementary School, Acme Delco
Middle School and Hallsboro Middle School.
He attended high school at Waccamaw
Academy and ECJSHS before earning his
degree from St. Andrews University.

He said coaching varsity baseball is what
brought him to ECJSHS and that the best
part about working at ECJSHS is the
students. Smith said that since he grew up in
the area, he can relate to them.

He is proud of his varsity baseball team’s
conference championship in 2021.

When he’s not teaching and coaching, he
enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time
with his family.

Role models in his life include his parents
and Coach Robbie Allen. He said they always
have pushed him to do his best and to set his
goals high.

Smith’s favorite music is country, his
favorite movie is Gladiator and his
favorite book is Where the Red Fern
Grows.

He said he hopes that ECJSHS
students will always work to do their
best in whatever they do.

GATORHAWK 10

Smith said he
hopes that

ECJSHS students
will always work
to do their best in
whatever they do.

GATORHAWK 11

T. Brown is
College bound

By CHARLEY TILLEY

Gator Media Staff

Tamira Brown, 15, is the daughter of
Ashley Cooper.

The Bolton resident is a freshman
at East Columbus Junior-Senior High
School and is involved in various

activities in the arts department such
as chorus and dance.

Brown is also is a cheerleader and
a performer.

Her favorite part of ECJSHS is the
sense of community it creates.

Her favorite teacher is Alina Freeman
because she has been inspired by Freeman
to be proud of her indigenous culture.

People who Brown looks at as role
models include Freeman, Sloan Deans and
her mom.

Some accomplishments of hers include
singing live for events.

A few of her favorite things include R&B
music, the book Code Talkers, the movie The
Indian in the Cupboard, and the television show
Proud Family. She likes the app Instagram and fry
bread.
A hidden talent Brown has is that she’s “triple
jointed.”
Her future plans include college.
The emoji that best describes her is heart eyes
because she said she’s “sweet.”

GATORHAWK 12

Padgett wants to play softball

By SARA SESSIONS Edwards.
Her favorites classes are math and
Gator Media Staff
weight training. “The teachers are
Bailey Padgett is the 16-year-old awesome,” she said.
daughter of Kelly and Todd Padgett.
Padgett said they are her favorites
The ECJSHS junior is a resident of because, “They always push me to be a
Lake Waccamaw. better person.”

She plays softball in and out of school, The thing she likes the most at East is
and she hopes to go on to play softball in the teaching staff.
college.
Her favorite movie is Walt Disney’s Lilo
Along with playing softball in college, and Stitch. Her favorite television show is
she wants to study exercise science. The Office. She loves tacos, Snapchat and
playing Uno.
She is a member of the National Honor
Society and the National Beta Club. Her She said the emoji that best describes
favorite teachers are Coaches Brad Smith, her is the smiley face because she is
Jason Nance, James Hobbs and Allison “always happy. “

GATORHAWK 13

Pedro wants to
inspire students

By NORAH SESSOMS

Gator Media Staff

“GOOD MORNING EAST COLUMBUS!”
That's how East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s in-
school suspension (ISS) facilitator Fred Pedro starts each
morning as he welcomes students to school.
The new addition to the school’s faculty greets each student
as he searches their book bags.
He hails from Pembroke and made his way to the eastern part
of Columbus County by way of the U.S. Army and his wife
Valerie, who is from the St. James community.
He has three children, ages 21, 8 and 5.
His stint in the army as a member of the field artillery took
him to Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Raleigh, Kansas; New York;
and South Korea, leading to two tours of duty in Iraq.
Immediately after leaving military duty, he worked for a
period as a personal trainer.
He heard about the ISS position at East and applied.
Pedro, who is devoutly religious, said prayer led him to the
job.
“I wanted an opportunity to work with youth,” he said,
adding that he actively prayed for such a position to open.
He said the job just landed in his lap. The week before, he had
spoken with former ISS coordinator Legarris Brown, who had
said he was leaving to take a position with Whiteville Parks and
Recreation.
Pedro, who also serves as the youth director at St. James
Missionary Baptist Church, said East Columbus has so much
potential.
“I believe in this school so much,” he said. “I enjoy each day
here. I enjoy my morning duty greeting kids as they come
through the door.”
He said he does his best each day to “give these kids a positive
outlook and some kind of motivation.”
Pedro likes to recite poetry to his students in ISS, Sometimes,
the poems are his original compositions.
He also loves coaching and helped with the football teams last
fall. He is coaching the junior high baseball team this semester.
He said his emphasis is to show students a different outlook
on life and to let them know the realities of life.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from,” he
said. “You are capable of accomplishing anything.”

GATORHAWK 14

Above: ECJSHS In-School Suspension facilitator Fred Pedro searches the bags of students as they enter
the school. Inset: Pedro talks with one of the 21 students assigned ISS on a recent Thursday.

“Good morning, East Columbus!”

Fred Pedro

GATORHAWK 15

Williamson enjoys East

By VICTORIA PERDUE

Gator Media Staff

East Columbus Junior-Senior
High School English IV teacher
Tara Williamson is in her 21st
year as a teacher and most of
that time has been spent at East.

The Nakina native, and
Nakina High School graduate,
earned her bachelor’s degree in
English education from the
University of North Carolina at
Pembroke. She also earned a
master’s degree in educational
leadership from Phoenix
University.

She teachers all levels of
English IV at the school
including Standard English,
Honors English and Advanced
Placement English. She also
serves as the chairperson of the
language department and is a
member of the school’s
improvement team.

Before settling in at East, she
taught at Chadbourn and
Shallotte middle schools.

A resident of Whiteville, she
has been married for 28 years
and has two grown children.

She has said that her biggest
accomplishment is being a first-
generation college graduate.

She said her biggest influence
is her mother, who raised her
despite many adversities.

Williamson loves fishing,
boating and traveling to the
mountains and the lake in her
free time.

The smaller setting at East
has helped her build
relationships with her students
and that's her favorite thing
about the school.

She said she hopes that each
student reaches his or her level
and is challenged to rise to
higher ones.

GATORHAWK 16

Facing Page: ECJSHS English IV teacher Tara Williamson
explains her expectations for a writing assignment. Above:
Williamson exchanges ideas with her students in AP English IV.
Right: As Williamson looks on, seniors Jennifer Hunt and Brian
Alsup read through their assignments.

Williamson said she hopes
that each student reaches his
or her level and is challenged
to rise to a higher one.

GATORHAWK 17

Champs

East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s Hawks junior
high volleyball team finished its season as conference
champs. The team was coached this year by ECJSHS staffer
Allison Edwards.

GATORHAWK 18

GATORHAWK 19

Photos by Alina Freeman

An eye for scenics

ECJSHS sophomore Addison Benson, who took this issue’s cover image during
his semester with Gator Media, provided GatorHawk Magazine with these scenic
images. Benson used his iPhone to capture these coastal waterway and inland
farm images.

GATORHAWK 20

From your phones

Your cell phones contain powerful
photographic tools. The technology
included in the latest crop of phones can
capture just about anything you can dream
of. Submit your images via email with full-
sized jpegs so we can include them in
future issues of GatorHawk.

Snow Horse
Lisa Thomas
ECJSHS Staff

Battle-weary Bow
Fuller Royal

ECJSHS Staff
GATORHAWK 21

Rogers to
decide

between
helping
animals or
athletes

By VICTORIA PERDUE

Gator Media Staff

Seventeen-year-old Macey
Rogers, a senior at East
Columbus Junior-Senior High
School, resides in Whiteville.

Two of her favorite things
about East Columbus are the
homecoming and spirit weeks.

Rogers’ favorite classes are
history and horticulture. She
said Alicia Pickett, who teaches
horticulture, is her favorite
teacher.

She said her biggest
accomplishment is being on the
A/B Honor Roll.

She was in the athletic club
her freshman year, and she plays
soccer and works at an animal
hospital in her free time.

The person who inspires her
is Alex Morgan, the famous
soccer player, because of how
hard she works.

Her plan after high school
is to attend Southeastern
Community College and then
transfer to a university to
become a veterinarian techncian
or an athletic trainer.

GATORHAWK 22

Webb interested in SWAT

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF S.W.A.T. team,” he said.
He is a fan of country music and of
Thirteen-year-old Jonah Webb is the the film Central Intelligence.
eighth-grade son of Prusann and He likes to eat chicken and
Johnathon Webb of Lake Waccamaw. play Forza Horizon 5. He is
a fan of the Atlanta Braves
He said he likes the sports the best at and the New York Yankees,
East Columbus Junior-Senior High enjoys SnapChat and
School. “They inspire me,” he said. reading Diary of a Wimpy

His English-language arts class is his Kid.
favorite and his favorite teachers include The emoji he said best describes him
Coach Zach Sellers, Tonya Jacobs and
Alina Freeman. is the P emoji because, “I’m pushing P.”
He said something people don’t know
His role model, and inspiration, is 20-
season Major League Baseball shortstop about him is that he likes to put ketchup
Derek Jeter. on his steak.

Webb said he would love to win a He said his dream job would be
state baseball championship while at serving as a member of a special
East. weapons and tactics team.

Outside of school, he enjoys welding. He said that if he won $1,000,000 in a
“I want to be a welder, or on a lottery, “I would give it to my parents.”

GATORHAWK 23

Waiting

Varsity Gator players for
ECJSHS wait for their
chance to jump into a
recent home game.

GATORHAWK 24

GATORHAWK 25

East’s Perdue wins poetry contest

By CHARLEY TILLEY Perdue said when there were times of
uncertainty about whether she wanted to
Gator Media Staff continue with the competition, her 12th
grade English teacher Tara Williamson
Victoria Perdue, a sophomore at was always there to push her to persevere.
ECJSHS recently won first place in the Perdue said that participating in Poetry
Columbus County Poetry Out Loud Out Loud was one of the best decisions
contest. she has ever made.

She moves on as a semi-finalist in the She said it not only has helped her
state-level North Carolina Poetry Out better understand poetry, but it has also
Loud contest. Perdue recited her favorite helped her find a deeper meaning to
poem, Under the Edge of Feburary,” by poems.
Jayne Cortez.
She said poetry has served as a great
She said she loves the poem because of outlet for her, allowing her to get her
“all of the emotion that is conveyed in it, inner voice and emotion out.
and how easy it is to display all of the
emotion involved in the poem.”

GATORHAWK 26

910.642.2779

Downtown Whiteville

GATORHAWK 27

Defensive concentration

ECJSHS senior Gator player J.J. Faulkner doesn’t take
his eyes off his opponent during a recent basketball
game.

GATORHAWK 28

Hunt wants to act

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF

Jennifer Hunt loves performing on
stage. The 18-year-old senior, the
daughter of Deborah Hunt, was cast
last month in East Columbus Junior-
Senior High School’s upcoming spring
musical production of Walt Disney’s
Moana.

She said one of the things she likes
best at East is, “the way we show our
pride because schools should show
their students to be proud.”

Her favorite class is Tara
Williamson’s AP English IV class.

“I love being able to be open and
discuss what we are reading,” she said.

Williamson and Sloan Blair Deans
are her favorite teachers.

She said it’s her mom who inspires
her to, “always do my best and always
live my life.”

Hunt is a member of the National
Beta Club and the National Honor
Society. She is active with the dance
and theatre programs at school.

She also works at Food Lion.
Hunt said she plans to attend the
University of North Carolina at
Greensboro as a musical theatre major.
Hunt likes Pop Music, steak and
TikTok. Her favorite film is Walt
Disney’s Encanto, and her favorite
television show is Supernatural. The
fun emoji best describes her, “because I
have a fun personality.”
She said something people don’t
know about her is she can impersonate
the character Roz from Pixar’s
Monsters, Inc.
“My dream job is to become an
actress,” she said.
If she won a $1,000,000 in the lottery,
she said she would pay for college and
buy her mother the house she wants.

GATORHAWK 29

Jauregui considering cosmetology

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF sixth grade.
She hopes to some day become a
Eighth-grader Camila Jauregui likes the
students best at East Columbus. cosmetologist.
“I like to do hair and dye hair,” she said.
“They’re funny and fun to talk to,” said the She’s unsure of what college she would
14-year-old daughter of Bellanira Del Angel
and Sergio Jauregui Reyes. like to attend.
She said she listens to all kinds of music
She said she doesn’t have a favorite class,
but she likes the hallways because, “I can see and loves tacos de asada. Her favorite film is
my friends.” Major Pane and her favorite app is Tik Tok.

Her favorite teachers are Coach Justin She said the surprised cat emoji best
Furlow because, “He’s chill” and Coach Zach describes her. “Every day, I get surprised by
Sellers because, “He’s funny.” something.”

She said her role model is her cousin Alba, She said that people don’t know that she
from Mexico. “She’s really successful in likes to make friendship bracelets.
school and is about to become a pediatrician.
She is about to graduate this year or next.” She said that if she won a $1,000,000 lottery,
she would buy new clothes and a car and help
Among her accomplishments was her her parents pay for their house. She would
membership in the National Beta Club during also but tickets to Mexico and “the rest I will
waste on dumb stuff.”

GATORHAWK 30

Law may be in future for Jacobs

By HARMONY dream job is to be an vital role in society.”
SOMERVILLE attorney because it is “a

Gator Media Staff

There are many
amazing junior high
students at ECJSHS and
one of them is Callie
Jacobs. The 13-year-old
eighth-grader is the
daughter of Summer and
Zach Jacobs, of Bolton.

The teachers are what
she likes best about East,
she said, because, “they
look out for you.”

Her favorite class is
English-language arts with
Coach Zach Sellers, who
happens to be her favorite
teacher.

“He has the students'
best interests in mind,” she
said.

Jacobs said her mother
has inspired her with
encouragement all of her
life.

She said she is proud of
being on the Principal’s
List during her first
semester.

Jacobs’ in-school
activities include playing
volleyball and cheering.
Her out-of-school activities
include playing basketball.

After school, she plans
to go to law school.

Pizza, country music,
Snapchat, N.C. State and
Subway Surfers are a few of
her favorite things.

The emoji that best
describes her is the happy
face. She said it is because
she is a happy person. Her

GATORHAWK 31

Career officer enjoys new

By SARA SESSIONS

Gator Media Staff

When Jersey City,
N.J. native Ted Dixon
discovered the warm
winters, short grocery
lines and ample parking
in the southern town of
Whiteville, he knew
where he wanted to live.

It was his first visit to
Columbus County with
his soon-to-be wife,
Gwen, a teacher at
Chadbourn Elementary.

That was in the early
1990’s.

Fast forward to 2022
and Dixon, now a
sergeant with the
Columbus County
Sheriff’s Office, is
midway through his
second year as East
Columbus Junior-Senior
High School’s security
resource officer (SRO).

“I came to visit in
1991,” he said. “It was
five degrees in New
Jersey. It was almost 80
degrees here at
Christmas.”

Once married and
living in Whiteville, he
found a pamphlet
promoting the basic law
enforcement program
(BLET) at Southeastern
Community College. He
enrolled while working
as night security at the
old Georgia-Pacific plant.

“I went to class from
8 until 5 and worked the

GATORHAWK 32

role at East Columbus

night shift with He said he loves working at East and

two to three he prefers working with the students at

hours of sleep the school.

each day,” he “I like interacting with students,”

said. He said he he said, adding that when he was a

had to stand up detective, most of the people he

in class to stay interacted with on a daily basis had

awake. usually done something wrong.

When it came He said most of the issues he deals

time to qualify with at East are occasional discipline

with different troubles and that East has an unfair

weapons, he reputation as a “problem school and

didn’t have what that is just not the case.”

he needed. He pointed out that real discipline

“I’m in BLET issues at East are few and far between

and I needed a and those issues pale in comparison to

shotgun,” he what other high schools in the area are

said. Whiteville dealing with.

Police Chief Dixon said he likes the fact that

Randall Aragon every day is different at East.

was at the “We have a bunch of kids being

college that day kids,” he said. “Our kids here are just

and loaned like kids everywhere else.

Basketball game duty Dixon his “I like the

is part of the job for shotgun.” children
Sgt. Ted Dixon, seen
here during a recent Soon after, here,” said. “I
home game at Aragon hired
ECJSHS. Dixon. wish I could

build better

Dixon is a relationships

graduate of Henry Snyder High in New with more of

Jersey. He has a degree from Liberty them. Most of

University in basic criminal justice and them, when

is working on his master’s in sociology. there are by

Dixon, who rose to the rank of themselves,

detective, worked with Whiteville until really love to

2015. He worked for Chadbourn for talk to me.”

several years and joined Bladenboro’s His

police department, where is he is still a hobbies In this 1992 photo,

member of the auxiliary force. include then Whiteville Police

In 2019, he joined the sheriff’s office singing in Department Cpl. Ted
church, disc Dixon helps with an
and in 2020, he was assigned to East. event at Whiteville

He first worked as an SRO with the jockeying and Primary School.

Whiteville Police Department at swimming. In

Whiteville High School in 1995 before his free time, he loves to watch Chicago

helping start the Whiteville Police P.D.

Department’s community policing “I hope every student reaches their

program, which won two consecutive goals,” he said.

governor’s awards.

GATORHAWK 33

Defensive concentration

ECJSHS senior Gator player J.J. Faulkner doesn’t take
his eyes off his opponent during a recent basketball
game.

Black Beauty
Mi'Niyah Bell
10th Grade
Third Place,
N.C. Yam Festival

GATORHAWK 34

Senior night banners

Gator Media created 19 two by three-foot banners for the Feb. 11 senior night for East Columbus Junior-
Senior High School’s varsity basketball teams and varsity cheerleaders. In the past five years, more than 250
banners have been designed and printed for the school’ s senior athletes.

Cold water for bottles

At left, Columbus County Schools
technicians install an additional bottle-filling
water cooler like the one pictured above at
ECJSHS. East students can now fill their
bottles with clean, chilled water throughout
the day.
GATORHAWK 35

Miguel Andrade wants
to be a lawyer

By ZARYIA ROBINSON

Gator Media Staff

Miguel Andrade lives with his
mother, Maira Domiuguez, in
Clarkton. The things he most enjoys
about East Columbus Junior-Senior
High School are art, because it is
taught by his favorite teacher, Jeff
Rudnick, and gym.

The people who inspire him the
most are his sister and his parents.
His biggest accomplishments at
school include being in the National
Honor Society.

He plans to attend a law school.
His favorite movie is Peppermint
and his favorite show is Vampire
Diaries. The food he enjoys
the most is tacos de
lengua, and the app
he enjoys most on
his phone is Netflix.

GATORHAWK 36

Hines looks
to the arts

By GRACIE GAZAWAY

Gator Media Staff

Jada Hines is a 14-year-old
freshman at East Columbus
Junior-Senior High School.

She is the daughter of
Geraldine and Bobbie Hines and
is from the Sandyfield area.

Hines enjoys Rhythm & Blues,
Black Butler and watching
YouTube.

She said the thing she likes
best at East is lunch.

Her favorite subject is art,
which is taught by her favorite
teacher, Jeff Rudnick.

She said she is also inspired
by Fred Pedro, who works at
East Columbus.

After high school, Hines
said she would like to pursue
a career in the arts and
become a voice actor.

When she is not at school,
Hines likes to play games
like Dead by Daylight or
watch her favorite
television shows. Her

favorite food is cheesy
breadsticks.

Looking for the strike

ECJSHS junior J.T. Little launches an attempt to score a strike during a
bowling game against West Columbus, South Columbus and Whiteville high
schools. The four high schools compete at the Planet Fun in Shallotte. The
school’s season began before the Christmas holidays.

GATORHAWK 38

Protecting the ball

ECJSHS Varsity girls
basketball team co-captain
Destiny Mitchell dribbles
and guards the ball as she
makes her way up the court
looking for at least a two-
pointer.

GATORHAWK 39

Migue loves
teaching at East

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF

“A caring environment.”
That’s how chemistry and physical science
teacher Martin Dee J. Migue describes the top
selling point about East Columbus Junior-Senor
High School.
He said the school’s motto, “Every Student
Counts” is apt.
“It’s just the best that the school, despite of
what is happening – the pandemic – is still able to
stay on track in catering to the students’ needs,” he
said.
Migue grew up in the Philippines where he
attended Philippine Normal University and De La
Salle University.
He holds a bachelor of secondary education
major in chemsity and a master of science in
teching chemistry.
Prior to working at East, Migue taught in the
Philippines. He found his way to East through a
cultural exchange program.
He said the best things about working at East
are his colleagues and the opportunities to grow.
He said he loves to teach physical science and
chemistry because, “I love the sciences, especially
chemistry.”
He had considered becoming a scientist or a
chemist, but teaching those disciplines won out. He
said he is happy with his choice.
When he’s not at school, he loves to skateboard.
He also likes cooking, reading and watching
documentaries.
He said the thing that works best in education is
when there is collaboration between teachers and
parents, as well as other sectors of education.
He said what education needs is more
involvement from everyone involved in education.
“I think it’s gonna be a well organized system
where all parties are heard and seen.”
He said he believes teachers need plenty of
classroom materials and support regarding
students’ behavior.

GATORHAWK 40

ECJSHS science teacher Matin Dee J. Migue enters grades as his students complete an
assignment in his physical science class.

“I think it’s gonna be a well
organized system where all
parties are heard and seen.”

Martin Dee J. Migue

GATORHAWK 41

Brandon Smith wants
to own his own business

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF his coach, who said he looked better than a lot
of other starters.
Freshman Brandon Smith is the 15-year-
old son of Kimberly and Kyle Smith of Prior to being on the bowling team, he had
Whiteville. only bowled a couple of times when he was 5.

He has a younger brother and a younger He said bowling is fun. “You get to hang
sister. out with friends.”

At East Columbus Junior-Senior High He is active with his church, Engage Life,
School, he said he likes being a part of and working with his father.
JROTC.
He said that after high school, he wants to
“I like what they teach,” he said. “They start his own business. “I’m trying to build my
teach you to be respectful, manners, how to credit up and save my money,” he said. He
properly eat and to take care of the wants to buy pressure washing equipment.
community around you,” he said. He also “That’s what is in my mind right now.”
enjoys marching and working on the rifle
team. His all-time favorite food is strawberries.
“I can eat three quarts in just a few days.”
He said he also likes the teachers at East.
“They are kind and respectful. I also like His favorite television show is Attack on
the new friends I have made.” Titan.
And his favorite
He was at Hallsboro Artesia and movie is Red Notice.
arrived at East in eighth grade after the He likes to listen to
merger of Acme Delco and Hallsboro clean music. He said
middle schools in 2020. Marlena Martinez
is one of his favorite
He was glad to move over. artists. His favorite
“I thought it was pretty cool, but I never books are the Harry
expected it to happen,” he said. Potter and Hunger
He said the sports and sportsmanship at Games series. He said
East is good as well. the emoji that best
Last semester, he played mid-right and represents him is
mid-left fields on the soccer team. He “curious.”
also bowled and will play tennis His favorite
this semester. activity is family
“I did pretty well in time. His dream
soccer,” he said. “I was in job would be as
and out of the games. It’s an aerospace
my first year, so I knew I engineer or
was not going to be in any kind of
the game all of the scientist.
time. If he were to
He said his kicking win a million
had improved a lot dollars, he said
since he started he would give
playing this year, some to
As he prepared charity, and to
for the tennis season his parents
– his first – he and siblings.
received some He would
positive words from invest the
rest.

Simmons’
dream job?
Professional
baseball

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF

Gage Simmons, 13, said he likes the
teachers best at East Columbus Junior-
Senior High School. “They help me,”
he said.

He said his favorite class is English-
language arts with Coach Zach Sellers
because, “anything I need he helps me
with.”

His favorite teacher is Cindy
Freeman because, “she is there when I
need her.”

His role model is the Kansas City
Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes because, “he
is the best quarterback.”

He loves baseball and he said he
would love to win a high school
championship in the sport.

Outside of school, he likes mowing
lawns and playing sports.

He said he intends on working after
high school, perhaps in logging.

He loves Country Music, Chicago
P.D. and eating steak.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is his favorite
book while Snap Chat is his favorite
app.

He is a fan of the Kanas City Chiefs.
He said the baseball emoji best
describes him because he likes
baseball.
He said a little-known thing about
him is he likes to eat corn with A1
Steak Sauce.
His dream job would be to someday
play Major League Baseball.
He said that if he won a million
dollars he would give portions of the
money to his church, his friends and to
his family.

GATORHAWK 43

Taking it back down the court

ECJSHS freshman Gators basketball power forward Rylie Graham begins her run
down the court during a recent game, seeking teammates to whom she can throw the
ball. Graham plays on the junior varsity and varsity teams.

GATORHAWK 44

Underclass
Portraits

Coming in
March

For the third year, East
Columbus Junior-Senior
High School’s Underclass

Portraits will be
completed in-house by

Gator Media and PPA
Master Photographer

Fuller Royal.
Look for announcements

beginning next week.
All students in grades 7

through 11 will be
photographed.

Students in remote
learning are invited to be

photographed as well.
All of the proceeds from

the sell of portrait
packages will stay with

the school.

GATORHAWK 45

Hunter Cavanaugh loves to
work on cars; wants to weld

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF loves fried chicken and Alabama’s Crimson
Tide.
Hunter Cavenaugh is from Delco. The 15-
year-old ninth grader said his favorite thing He said the happy emoji best describes
about East Columbus Junior-Senior High him because, “I am always happy.”
School is going to physical education so he
can see Coach Jason Nance. He said his dream job is to be a welder.
If he won a million dollars he said he
His favorite class is automotive, would buy a yacht, “because I can be
“because we get to work on cars.” alone.”

His favorite teacher is automotive
instructor Arthur Moore because,
“He is cool.”

He enjoys hunting and participating
in the Future Farmers of America.

He said he hopes to attend college after
high school.

Cavanaugh likes country music and
the Tom Cruise film Top Gun. He

GATORHAWK 46

GATORHAWK 47 Rylie
Alex Benton
11th Grade
National Scholastics
Honorable Mention

GATORHAWK 48

The 250-page 2022 Swamp Life
Yearbook is available for order. If
ordered before June 1, 2022, the
cost is $60. After June 1, the cost is
$80 per copy.

GATORHAWK 49

ECJSHS freshman Troy

By GATOR MEDIA STAFF levels are in his class at the same time. “You
get to meet new people.”
Jaden Troy loves basketball. Watching it.
Dreaming of it. Playing it. He loves band because he said he comes
from a musical family and music is an
A freshman at East Columbus Junior- interesting skill to have. “You will have that
Senior High School, Troy is the 15-year-old the rest of your life.”
son of Shanita Troy Ward and Harrington
Ward. His mother was an earlier graduate of Troy said the bonds formed in these
East and “my father happened to be a (West classes and throughout his school years will
Columbus) Viking,” he said. last a lifetime.

He is also big brother to Josiah, 3, and Troy said he would love to be in the NBA
Janiah, 1. someday, but would be grateful just to play
college basketball.
He said that his band and gym classes
are his favorite parts of being at East. He was six-years-old when he first picked
up a ball, and by the time he turned 12, he
He said gym because, “I get to play knew he had a knack for playing.
basketball, which is my favorite thing in the
world,” adding it’s great that different grade He has played a little football, but said he
needs to have the heart for the sport to
succeed in it. He only has that for basketball.

GATORHAWK 50