December, 2025 Volume II, Issue 10Melena Hesterworking for theenvironmentPage 6Also in this issue …Ariana BrittKenzie WilliamsonEmma CribbAvery WilkersonScarlett CartretteDavin HayesMarlee RobinsonRiley ChenierGracelynn Jacobs Our SixthTime as aBest ofColumbusWinnerA Publication of Fuller Royal Photography
2 Dear ReadersWelcome to the 14th issue of STUDENTS to WATCH Magazine. Thisis actually Volume II, Issue 10. Next month, we will present the firstof Volume III.We are looking for middle school and high school-aged musicians,band members, hunters and basketball players for special sections ofour January, February and March issue.Go to www.fullerroyalphotography.com and click on the Studentsto Watch page to find the questionnaires for those categories.Students to Watch is open to any student from grade five throughcollege. You can be from any school system, public, private, Christian,charter or home school.Finally, we are grateful to our clients and friends who helped usachieve our sixth Best of Columbus honor. Thank you so much.Now, sit back and enjoy the latest issue of Students to Watch.Fuller Royal Photographyis celebrating its 37th year ofportrait service to the community.
3This month’s issuefeatures Melena Hester, agraduate of WhitevilleHigh School and NorthCarolina State UniversityShe will work inenvironmentalengineering. See her storyon page 6.About theCoverINSIDEVolume II, Issue 10December, 2025Published Monthly byFuller RoyalPhotography910.770.1834622 S. Madison StreetWhiteville, N.C. 284726 Melena Hester18 Ariana Britt27 Kenzie Williamson39 Emma Cribb48 Avery Wilkerson60 Scarlett Cartrette70 Davin Hayes78 Marlee Robinson86 Riley Cenier96 Gracelynn Jacobs104 Dance FestivalThe Columbus County Dance Festival
Kyleigh Patrick and Sawyer Bracey portray youngAnna and Young Elsa in the East Columbus JuniorSenior High School production of Disney’s FrozenJr. earlier this month.4
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Melena Hester graduatesfrom NCSU with degreein environmental technology T7Story Continued on Page 9Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALwenty-one year-oldWhiteville High Schoolgraduate Melena Hestergraduated from NorthCarolina State University earlierthis month.She said the thing she liked bestabout high school was “thecommunity that it created and thefriendships I made.”Her favorite class waschemistry.“I enjoyed understanding whyand how chemical reactionshappen,” she said.Her favorite high schoolteachers were math instructorLendon Ellis and Englishinstructor Gina Deans.“Mr. Ellis made learningenjoyable and informational,”Hester said. “He always ensuredthat he took the time tothoroughly explain each topic.This made learning math seemeasy and fun. Mrs. Deans is thereason why I am so comfortablewriting reports and essays incollege. I feel that she prepared mefor college and the real world.”She said her favorite courses incollege were local flora andenvironmental toxicology.“Toxicology was veryinteresting because it teaches theharmful effects of chemicals andpollutants on humans and theenvironment,” she said. “I enjoyedlocal flora because it is a fun classand allows me to walk throughnature every week, and learnabout plants common to NorthCarolina.”Hester earned her bachelor’sdegree in science, with a major inenvironmental technology andmanagement and a minor inenvironmental toxicology.“These classes will allow me tobetter our environment,” she said.“I consider my family to be thebiggest help in my college career,”she said. “At the times when Iwanted to give up, or I felt down, Icould always turn to them to helpme back up and continue to pushthrough.”“My parents are my biggest rolemodels,” she said. “They both aresuch hard-working individuals
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and are able to do anything thatthey put their minds to.”“In high school, I was amember of the women’s soccerand volleyball teams, as well as amember of The High Times, andthe STEAM club. In college, Iparticipated on some intramuralsports teams.”A regular on the NCSUDean’s List, she graduated CumLaude.She is planning to work withan environmental consultingfirm.“I enjoy reading, going tothe farmers market and workingwith my plants,” Hester said.“I am very proud of how hardI have worked and pushedmyself in college,” she said. “Ihave pushed myself past mycomfort zone many times and Ihave grown so much.”She said people might besurprised to learn that she canactually juggle.“To me, success meansmaking the effort to reach acertain goal,” she said. “Even ifyou did not fully accomplish thatStory Continued on Page 119
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goal, you still pushed yourself and put ineffort to do the best you could,” she said.“As long as you learned something alongthe way and put in effort, then I considerthat successful.“If I could change one thing about theworld, I would make people care moredeeply about protecting the environment,”she said.11
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13“I am very proud of how hardI have worked and pushedmyself in college. I have pushedmyself past my comfort zonemany times and I have grownso much.”Melena Hester
14 Family PortraitsFor Christmas or LaterWhen you wantthe very best.910.770.1834
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16 To view, download or order any issue ofStudents to Watch Magazine, visitwww.fullerroyalphotography.com.
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Ariana Britt lookingfor career in nursingSStory Continued on Page 1918 Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALeventeen-year-old Ariana Britt is asenior at West Columbus HighSchool.At West, she said, “I love the schoolpride and all the memories I’ve made here,from Friday night games to senioractivities. It’s a place that’s shaped who Iam.“I wish our school had moreopportunities for community service andvolunteering so students could give backwhile learning,” she added.Her favorite subject is nursingfundamentals.“It taught me the basics of patient careand confirmed my passion for becoming anurse,” she said. “Helping people feelbetter is what I’m meant to do.My favorite teacher is Mrs. Hamilton,”Britt said. “Through fundamentals, shetaught me not just the skills of nursing, butthe heart behind it to treat every patient
Story Continued on Page 2019with kindness, patience and respect.”She said her strongest subject isfundamentals because “it comesnaturally to me. I love learning how tocare for patients and make a difference.“My weakest subject is math, but it’staught me patience and persistence.Britt said Angie Benton andcounselor Michelle Hagler have beenthe biggest help in her educationaljourney.“They’ve guided me through everystep, from planning my classes topreparing for life after graduation, andalways made sure I knew my hard workwould pay off,” she said.“My biggest role models are myparents,” Britt said. “They’ve taught methe value of hard work, compassion andperseverance. Watching how they carefor others and overcome challenges hasinspired me to follow my dreams andbecome a nurse.”Varsity cheer has been her favoriteactivity because “it’s taught meteamwork, leadership and dedication.It’s given me lifelong friendships andsome of my best high schoolmemories.”In addition to cheering, Britt isinvolved with the National Honor
Story Continued on Page 21Society, the National Beta Club andHOSA. She is also the current MissWest Columbus, which “has given meopportunities to represent my schooland community.“Outside of school, I enjoyvolunteering in my community,spending time with family and friends,and participating in local events,” shesaid.She has been recognized as an AllAmerican Cheerleader for twoconsecutive years and has made theAll-Regional Cheer team.She has been nominated for CheerHawaii while maintaining a gradepoint average of 4.0 and serving as ajunior marshal.After high school, she wants toattend Methodist University inFayetteville to pursue her career innursing and minor in forensics.She said she wants to “help bridgethe gap between healthcare and thejudicial system and give patients avoice.”Britt enjoys fishing, hunting andspending time with family and friends.She said she is proudest ofmaintaining her 4.0 GPA while dualenrolled in high school and college.20
She said people are surprised tolearn that she loves to decorate.“I actually love decorating,organizing and cleaning. I find itrelaxing, and I enjoy turning messyspaces into something neat andpeaceful,” she said.“My greatest strength is mydetermination,” Britt said. “Once I seta goal, I stay focused and work harduntil I reach it, whether it’s in school,work or preparing for my nursingcareer.“To me, success means making apositive impact on others, using yourskills and compassion to help peopleand leaving every situation better thanyou found it,” she said.“If I could change one thing aboutthe world, I’d make sure everyone feltvalued and supported,” she said,adding, “So many people feeloverlooked or alone. I’d want everyoneto know their life matters and they canmake a difference.”21
Story Continued on Page 21“My familyunit is my rolemodel. Myparents arealways therefor me andsupport me inmy goals anddreams. Theyare mybiggest rolemodels, and Iwant to be likethem theolder I get.”Phyllis-GraceWilliamson22
23“My greatest strengthis my determination.Once I set a goal, I stayfocused and work harduntil I reach it, whetherit’s in school, work orpreparing for mynursing career.”Ariana Britt
24 Rayjin Waters, Lillian Arroyo, Braxton Jackson andMariah McKenzie in a scene from East ColumbusJunior-Senior High School’s December productionof Disney’s Frozen Jr.
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Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALenzie Williamson is a 16-year-oldsophomore at ColumbusChristian Academy.The thing she likes best about herschool is seeing her friends.She said her role models are herparents and God.“My parents have always supported meand encouraged me and I look up tothem,” she said. “God is also my rolemodel because He represents love and weshould strive to be like Him through ouractions and words.”Williamson is active with the NationalBeta Club, volleyball and softball. Outsideof school she is active with her church’sKenzieWilliamsonto pursue medicalcareer as pediatrician K27Story Continued on Page 32
“My role model is mymom because she’sstrong, hardworking andalways puts othersbefore herself. She’staught me theimportance of kindness,determination and nevergiving up on my goals.”Sidney Landis28
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“I want to go to collegeto be a pediatrician. I lovechildren and I would loveto help them and make animpact on their lives.”Kenzie Williamson31
32 youth group.In volleyball, she has receivedthe outstanding setting award andin cheer, she has received thecheer coach’s award and the cheerspirit award.After high school, “I want to goto college to be a pediatrician. Ilove children and I would love tohelp them and make an impact ontheir lives.”She said that success “is one ofthe most important things. Beingsuccessful represents achievingyour goals and means you'removing forward in life andgrowing.“If I could change one thingabout the world it would be thatpeople wouldn't judge other peopleon how they approach a situationor react,” she said. “You neverknow what people are goingthrough or how things affect themand your words mean more thanyou realize. You never know howyou'd react in a situation untilyou're the one in it.”
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With a nod to a classic Christmas song, there were“ladies dancing,” this page, and “drummersdrumming,” opposite page, during Whiteville’s raindelayed Christmas Parade on Sunday, December15.34
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37Coming this winter, Students to Watch Magazinewill publish an issue featuring a special sectiondedicated to student musicians, including membersof school bands. Keep on the lookout.
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Emma Cribb wants tobe a pediatric nurse FStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALourteen-year-old Emma Cribb isa freshman at South ColumbusHigh School.“What I like best about my school isthe people who surround me and theteachers who make my day a lot better,”she said.She said she wished her school had agirl’s football team.“My favorite class is math becausemy teacher Mrs. Stacie Lane makesmath a lot better than it seems,” Cribbsaid. “She is entertaining and sings allthe time, which makes class fun andkeeps me focused.”She said her mother, EdgewoodElementary third grade teacher BambiCribb, has been her favorite teacher.“Even though she didn’t teach me,she is helping me get through schooland helping teach me stuff I don’tunderstand,” Cribb said. “Even though Iwasn't in her class she is alwaysteaching me stuff from the way of lifedown to helping me with my high schoolwork. Throughout my years of school Ihave had many great educators whohave pushed me and encouraged me togive my best and stay on the right path.”Her strongest subject is math. Earthscience is her weakest.She said her biggest help in schoolhad been Shelly Cullipher who was theassistant principal at WilliamsTownship School.“Anytime I needed any help from a39Story Continued on Page 40
Story Continued on Page 4340 situation with other students or just wanted totalk, she was always there,” Cribb said.She said her role model is Jesus.“Not only is He perfect, but He helps youget through life and will always listen to youeven if you think He isn’t,” she said. “Jesuswill always be there for you and love you.Jesus also died for us and our sins just so wecould live. He took a big risk and it was all forhis people.“My favorite activities are soccer andvolleyball,” she said “Both of these sports arenot only fun to practice, but are also fun toplay. Coach Storms made volleyball such agood experience. I look forward to theupcoming soccer season and can’t wait to seewhat fun and exciting challenges it will bringto me.”Cribb is involved with the Stallionettes, theSouth Columbus FFA and the chorus classwith Jimmy Price.Outside of school she is active with the YFAYouth Group Beaverdam Freewill Baptistchurch.“I also play recreation volleyball withWhiteville Alliance Church,” she said.“For the past three years, I have receivedan academic medal,” she said. “In my seventhgrade year I received awards for soccer andvolleyball. In my eighth grade year I receivedan award for playing soccer, volleyball andcheer.”“After I graduate high school, I want topursue a career as a registered nurse,specializing in pediatrics,” she said. “Over the
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past few years, I have realized I have aspecial gift for interacting with children.“I would like to one day have a large farmwith various animals including my ownhorses because I enjoy barrel racing,” Cribbsaid.She said she is most proud of “keepingmy relationship with the Lord as strong aspossible and not letting others bring medown.”Cribb said people may be surprised tolearn that she is the only red head in herfamily.“I get questions about ‘where did yourhair even come from,’” she said.Cribb said her greatest strength is soccer.She said success to her means“graduating high school, then going to getmy nursing degree, making it throughcollege and getting to help kids and do thejob of my dreams, which is a pediatric nurse.“If I could change one thing about theworld, it would be to change the way somepeople go against the Lord and have differentbeliefs,” she said.43
44 “My favorite activitiesare soccer and volleyball.Both of these sports arenot only fun to practice,but are also fun to play.Coach Storms madevolleyball such a goodexperience. I look forwardto the upcoming soccerseason and can’t wait tosee what fun and excitingchallenges it will bring tome.”Emma Cribb
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One of the teams from Simply Dance makes its wayup Madison Street in downtown Whiteville duringthe chilly Dec. 15 Christmas Parade.46
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A49AveryWilkerson aiming forcareer as nurse practionerStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALvery Wilkerson, 13, is an eighthgrader at West Columbus School.“I like the extracurricularactivities my school has to offer,” she said.“I love that I can play volleyball, be in theFFA and be in the National Beta Club.”She said she wished the school didn’thave zoom learning because “I like for theteacher to be there to work out problemswith me.”Her favorite class is math because “itchallenges me.”“My favorite teacher for seventh gradewas Mrs. Kimberly Graham,” Wilkersonsaid. “She taught me social studies. I likedher because she was always nice andwilling to help when needed. I also like Mr.Matt Hardin. He taught me math. I likedhim because he spent the one-on-one timeneeded to help me complete my work.”Her strongest subject is reading. Scienceis her weakest.She said Bryan McNair had been thebiggest help to her at school.“When we don’t understand somethingin the zoom class he works it out with usand helps us get through it,” she said.“I look up to my dad because he alwaysteaches us about God,” Wilkerson said. “Hehas been a big supporter of me and alwayskeeps me on the right path.“My favorite activity is volleyballbecause I love being able to work togetheras a team to accomplish a goal,” she said.Wilkerson is involved with FFA, theNational Beta Club and volleyball.Outside of school “I like to ride my fourwheeler, go to church, play volleyball, andI’m learning to play guitar. I love travelingwith my family. We love going places we’venever been before.”She was on the A honor roll last year andhad the highest average in math and insocial studies. She was also on theStory Continued on Page 50
homecoming court.After high school and college, “Iwant to be a nurse practitionerbecause I enjoy helping people. Mysister works at Gibson CancerCenter and I would like to workthere one day. I want to get marriedand have children and have a nicehouse. I want to travel with myfamily and show my kids all theplaces my mom and dad carriedme.”In addition to playing volleyball,she likes to play softball, hang outwith her friends, travel, ride horsesand ride her four-wheeler.“I’m the proudest of being aChristian,” she said.She said people would besurprised to learn she is about tobecome an aunt.Wilkerson said her greateststrength is “My walk with theLord.”She said her favorite movie is Elfbecause “it’s been a family traditionto watch it every year and I reallylove Christmas.”“My favorite book is the Biblebecause it is the road map for mylife,” she said.Her favorite television show isFull House and her favorite type ofmusic is Gospel “because it praisesthe Lord.”50