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“My favorite teachers have been Mrs. LisaCox, who was my fifth-grade reading teacher.She was always positive and loved to help.My other favorite teacher was Mrs. MirandaEllington, my middle school choir teacher.She always gave 100 percent to teaching usand making sure we sounded good.”Embry Isabella Simmons“I look up to my dadbecause he always teachesus about God. He has been abig supporter of me andalways keeps me on theright path.”Avery Wilkerson52
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56 Children PortraitsFor Christmas910.770.1834
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58 In the auditorium control room at East Columbus Junior-SeniorHigh School, sound technician Sawyer Ezzell, left, and lightingtechnician Ian Martin, right, assist show director Sloan Deans,center left, and technical director Jeffrey Rudnik, center right,with the recent school production of Disney’s Frozen Jr.
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60 Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALcarlett Cartrette s a 24-year-oldgraduate of South ColumbusHigh School, North Carolina StateUniversity and ClemsonUniversity.She said the thing she enjoyed mostat South was “the feeling of knowingeveryone there and having a sense offamily because of the closeness of thecommunity. The atmosphere feltsupportive and welcoming, wherepeople genuinely looked out for oneanother.“I wish South Columbus had offereda wider variety of subjects and sports,”she said. “I often felt that students atother schools had more opportunities toexplore their interests, which helpedthem better understand what theyenjoyed.“Having more class options andextracurriculars would have allowedme and other students to discover newinterests and skills, and to feel moreconfident when choosing college majorsand electives,” she said. “Overall, moreexposure would have helped provideclearer direction for future careerpaths.”And her favorite class or subject inhigh school?“I didn’t necessarily love English inhigh school, but it was where I reallylearned how to write well, and that skillbecame crucial for me in college,” shesaid. “Even now, I regularly use mywriting abilities for clearcommunication and for creatingeffective professional notes, such asdiagnostic assessments and clinicaldocumentation for my clients.”“Of course, in high school, myfavorite teacher would have to be (hermother) Cheryl Cartrette, my Englishteacher during my sophomore andjunior years of high school and also myyearbook teacher during my junior andsenior years,” she said. “I loved Dr.Rupert Nacoste at N.C. State. He wasinspiring and knowledgeable in the fieldof psychology, especially regardingsocial interactions and relationships.“At Clemson, Dr. David Scott, an N.C.State alum himself, proved to be adynamic professor, advisor forinternship, and mentor,” she said.“At Clemson University, my favoritecourses were the skills and techniquescourses,” she said. “These coursesprepared me in a way that showed justhow meaningful it is to connect withclients, apply therapeutic techniqueseffectively, and make a real difference inpeople’s lives.”She earned her bachelor’s degrees inpsychology and sociology and a masterof education degree in clinical mentalhealth counseling.She said “God was my rock and myfortress. Difficulties arose in my classes,internship, and social life, but I couldalways turn my eyes to Him for strengthand guidance.“My close friends were essential toSNCSU/Clemson graduateScarlett Cartrette enjoyingcareer as therapistStory Continued on Page 62
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62 my day-to-day survival. Coffee runs, ventsessions, shopping trips, game days, andlate-night cram sessions are memories Iwill cherish for a lifetime,” she said.“Even now, I can pick up the phone andcarry on a conversation with friends fromcollege that I haven’t seen in monthswithout missing a beat.“In graduate school, and even now, oneof my role models has been myinternship supervisor, Kristi Gilland,”Cartrette said. “She gave me so muchconfidence and helped me see mypotential professionally. I’m reallygrateful for her guidance and theinspiration she’s been in my career.“In high school, I was involved in thetennis team, track team and Beta Club,”she said. “During my undergraduateyears, I participated in a ministry groupand was also was involved in a Biblestudy.“Outside of high school and college, Ialways made time to attend church,surround myself with friends, spend timewith my family, stay active in some way,and continue learning and growing in myprofessional field,” she said.Cartrette graduated from NCSU magnaStory Continued on Page 64
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64 cum laude and from Clemson with a 4.0GPA.She said she chose to become a therapistbecause she always wanted a career whereshe could truly help others.“There’s a deep sense of satisfaction inknowing that I can be a bright spot insomeone’s life,” she said. “I see value inevery individual, and I’ve always wanted tobe there to walk alongside others – whetherthey just need a listening ear or are goingthrough a difficult season in life.“I plan to continue growing in myprofessional career,” she said. “Currently, Iam working toward full licensure and maypursue additional certifications related tomy field. In the future, I also hope to takeon leadership roles once I have gainedmore experience.”Cartrette said he is devoted to stayingactive and moving her body.“Whether it’s yoga, Pilates, cardio ortennis, any form of movement makes mefeel like I am bettering myself,” she said. “Ialso enjoy shopping, getting my nails done,spending time with friends and family,learning more in my career, and attendingchurch.”She said she is most proud of heracademic accomplishments and where sheis in her career.“It has taken years of persistence,passion, and determination, but when Ilook back, I can genuinely feel good aboutwhat I have achieved,” she said.Story Continued on Page 66
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Cartrette said people would surprisedto learn “I’m actually a decent pianist.Growing up, my Friday afternoons oftenincluded a visit to Mrs. Doris Edwards’home for piano lessons. Today, I stillplay the piano, mostly for relaxation andenjoyment.”She said her greatest strength isbeing an excellent listener andcommunicator.“I’ve always enjoyed meaningfulconversations, but my time at Clemsonhelped shape me into the therapist I amtoday, refining my ability to trulyconnect with and understand others,”she said.She said success means “knowingJesus as my Lord and Savior. WithoutHim, everything else in life feels emptyand lacks true meaning. Because ofHim, I have peace as I navigate my dayto-day life and face its challenges. In anearthly sense, success also meanscontinuing to grow in my career andone day having a family.“If I could change one thing about theworld, it would be the stigma and lack ofknowledge surrounding mental health,”she said. “So many people struggle insilence because of that stigma, which isheartbreaking to see, but unfortunatelytrue.“I wish more people were educatedabout mental health and that resourceswere more widely available, especiallyin small, rural communities wheresupport can be hard to find. I think ifpeople felt more comfortable talkingabout their struggles and seeking help,it could prevent a lot of unnecessarysuffering,” Cartrette said. “It would alsocreate communities where people feelseen, understood, and supported, andwhere mental health is treated with thesame importance as physical health.Even small changes in awareness andempathy could make a huge differencein people’s lives.”66
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69Coming this winter, Students to Watch Magazine willpublish an issue with a special section dedicated tostudents who enjoy hunting and fishing. Keep on thelookout.
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Davin Hayes71Story Continued on Page 72Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALlike how much I get to socializewith my friends and my girlfriendJenna,” said Whiteville HighSchool sophomore Davin Hayes. “It makesthe school day more interesting.”“I wish my school had more clubs,” saidthe 15-year-old. “I feel like it would give usmore opportunities to expand ourhorizons.”“My favorite subject is mathematicsbecause it’s never really changed,” he said.“They just keep adding letters.’“My favorite teacher is definitely Mr.Cox,” Hayes said. “He truly connects withus and is a really positive influence in all ofour lives.”Math is his strongest subject.“My weakest subject is English,” he said.“I’m no Edgar Allan Poe.”He said his biggest help during hiseducational journey has been his friends.“We’ve always had the same classes andthey’ve become a support system,” he said.“IMusician Davin Hayes wantsto become diesel mechanic
72 Story Continued on Page 76“My role model is my mom,” Hayessaid. “She’s always taught me to be a goodman and instilled in me the importance ofbeing kind. I hope one day to show thesame strength that she’s shown.“My favorite activities at school areband and Mr. Cox‘s class,” he said. “Bandis so fun because I get to do something thatI love while being with the people that Ilove and Mr. Cox is very down to earthwith all of his students and he really caresabout all of us.”Hayes is in both the marching andconcert bands.He is also a member of the ColumbusCounty Community Band.Hayes is enrolled in honors classes atWhiteville. He is also the reigning NorthCarolina Strawberry Festival Mr.Strawberry.“After high school, I would like tobecome a diesel mechanic,” he said. “I’vealways been interested in cars so I will
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Story Continued on Page 2974 “My favorite activities atschool are band and Mr.Cox‘s class. Band is so funbecause I get to dosomething that I love whilebeing with the people that Ilove and Mr. Cox is verydown to earth with all of hisstudents and he really caresabout all of us.”Davin Hayes
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“I plan on workingtowards nursingbecause I am a naturalhealer. I believe intaking extra steps toprovide comfort forthose around me.Nursing and workingin the healthcaresystem give me thechance to make achange in someone’slife.”Aniah Kelly76 never lose interest in my job. If you love whatyou do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Iwould like to be hired by CAT, get marriedand have my own little American dream.”His hobbies include fishing, hunting andgaming.“I’m very proud of my Pokémoncollection, but I’m also very proud of myambition towards my future,” he said.Hayes said people would be surprised tolearn that he really likes Star Wars.“It’s been an interest of mine since I waslittle and I’ve never really shook it,” he said.“My greatest strength is my ability toadapt,” he said. “No matter what card I’mdealt, I find a way to make the best of it.”He said success means “finding myhappiness in a world full of darkness. I wantto find my light.“If I could change one thing about theworld, I would change internet culture,” hesaid. “I feel people are too easily overlookedon the internet. The internet can be used forgood, finding people, maybe your newfavorite actor or singer. The internet makes itso much easier for people to get the attentionthey deserve.”
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78 Marlee Robinson wantsto perform ultrasounds FStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALifteen-year-old MarleeRobinson is a sophomore atWhiteville High School.She said the thing she likes bestabout Whiteville is the spirit at theschool.“It brings everyone together as awhole,” she said.Her favorite course is science.“I love learning new things andhaving things hands-on,” she said.One of her favorite teachers hasbeen Nikki Long.“She’s pushed me to be who I amtoday and to have the knowledge ofwhat good grades are,” she said.Her strongest subject is sciencewhile her weakest is math.She said Long has been the biggesthelp to her at school. “She’s helped methrough hard work,” she said.She said her mother and Long areher role models“They have pushed me to who I amand have shown me the power of beinga good person in life,” she said.Cheer is her favorite activity atschool.“I love showing the spirit and thesisterhood,” she said.In addition to cheer, she is activewith HOSA.Outside of school, she dances andparticipates in pageants.After graduation from high schoolshe wants to attend college to becomean ultrasound technician.Robinson also enjoys babysitting.She said she is proudest of makingthe cheer team and winning theColumbus County Fair Pageant.She said success means “being niceto everyone and treating everyoneequally.”She said if she could changesomething about the world, it would befor everyone to treat each other thesame and without bullying.
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Starnes’s role models include hergrandmother, her mother, her aunts, her bestfriend and her boyfriend’s mother. She saidthey all strong educated women who haveovercome a lot to be where they are.80
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“I love learning newthings and having thingshands-on.”Marlee Robinson82
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84 With their warmest Christmas attire on, members ofthe Whiteville High School Marching WolfpackBand’s flag squad lead the band through downtownWhiteville during the annual Christmas parade.
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Riley Chenier workingtoward career infuneral industry S87Story Continued on Page 88Story and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALouth Columbus High Schooljunior Riley Chenier said heloves the “love and kindnesseveryone carries” at his school.The 16-year-old said he wished theschool had more outreach programsfor those in need.Choir and piano are his favoriteclasses.“They build social bonds, skillsand knowledge that are very useful ineveryday life,” he said.His favorite instructor is JimmyPrice.“He teaches my piano and choirclasses,” Chenier said. “He has madea difference in my life. He’s shown meand taught me things that areimportant in life with lessons that arevery valuable to me.”Chenier said Price has helped himgrow as a pianist and singer.“Jimmy Price has made a hugeimpact on my life,” he said.Science is his strongest subject;math is his weakest.Chenier said Asia Moore has beenhis biggest help in school.“She has been there for me whenno one else was,” he said. “She helpedme through struggles; she has mademe laugh when I was sad; and shelifted me up when I was down. Shehas been there for me through thickand thin.”He said his role model is LanceSoles, the funeral director atWorthington Funeral Home inChadbourn.“My future career goal is to be anembalmer/funeral director,” he said.“I look up to him because that’s mydream job and hopefully my future.He is also a phenomenal pianist, andI have learned a couple of thingsfrom just watching him. He is joyfuland kind in all situations and anoverall good person.”One of his favorite activities atSouth was the school’s recentChristmas spectacular.“It was so joyful and full ofChristmas spirit,” he said. “The choirworked really hard on the songs. Weplanned a schedule for what to workon every day for three weeks beforethe show.”Chenier is active with the NationalBeta Club and the school’s FFAchapter.“I play the piano at church and Iaccompany any special singers for
Story Continued on Page 77revivals and church services,” he said. “Ialso attend and get involved in a lot ofcommunity events and activities.”Recently, he received honorable mentionat this year’s National Federation Festivalfor piano.After high school “I plan to attend thefuneral/mortuary program at FayettevilleTechnical Community College.”He also wants to attend the paramedic/EMT program at Southeastern CommunityCollege.In addition to the piano, he plays guitar.“I love to practice with friends and playfor a small group of older church friends tosing,” he said.Chenier said he is proudest of hiscourage and determination “to serve God inany possible way I can.”He said people would be surprised tolearn “how much I have learned on thepiano in two years.”He said his greatest strength is hiscontrol in situations.He said success means accomplishinggoals and overcoming big obstacles.If he could change one thing about theworld, he would provide help for those whoare in need and for those who have medicalneeds.88
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90 “I play the piano atchurch and I accompanyany special singers forrevivals and churchservices. I also attend andget involved in a lot ofcommunity events andactivities.”Riley Chenier
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This page: Jasmine Johnson is one of the HiddenFolk in the East Columbus Junior-Senior HighSchool production of Disney’s Frozen Jr. Oppositepage: Townsperson William McDuffie looks for hisdance partner in a scene from the show.92
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94 Christmas has passed, butthere is still time to schedulethat special gift of a portrait… family, children, seniors,couples … you name it. Giftcertificates are still availableas well.910.770.1834
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96 Story Continued on Page 98Gracelynn Jacobsweighing careersin nursing, cosmetologyStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALracelynn Jacobs is a 14-year-oldeighth-grader at East ColumbusJunior-Senior High School.She said the thing she likes best aboutEast is how much she loves all of herfriends and teachers there.“I wish our school didn’t have Yonderphone pouches,” she said, wishing theycould still use them during the breaksthroughout the school day.Physical education is her favoriteclass.“I have fun playing volleyball, andother things, with my friends in thatclass,” she said.She said Dana Smith is her favoriteteacher.“She teaches math and she helps meunderstand it really well,” she said.History is her strongest subject;science is her weakest.Jacobs said $$$ Moore has been thebiggest help to her at school.“She is my cousin and I can go to herfor a lot of things,” Jacobs said.She said she looks up to her parents.“They are always there for me when Ineed them and always know what to doin the toughest situations,” Jacobs said.“They both work very hard for me andmy siblings.”Her favorite activities include playingvolleyball and enjoying free days in thegym.She is a member of the FFA, performson the school’s dance team, cheers, andplays volleyball and softball.Her favorite activity outside of schoolis hanging out with her friends.A regular on the A/B Honor Roll, shehopes to attend college to be an NICUnurse or a cosmetologist.“I want to get a good job and also havegood grades and graduate college,” shesaid.Her hobbies include shopping andriding four wheelers.She said she is proudest that “Ibelieve and trust in God and I’m savedand baptized.”She said people might be surprised tolearn that “I am the oldest daughter,granddaughter and niece in my mama’sfamily.”She said her greatest strength is beinga people person.“I can get along with really anyone,”she said.She said she loves any Christmasmovie.“That is like my favorite time of theyear,” she said.G
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98 “Junie B. Jones is one of my favoritebook collections,” she said. “When I waslittle, that used to be one of the books meand my friends read during school.”Love Island is her favorite televisionshow because she and her sister enjoywatching it together.She also loves country music.
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“My brother is one of the best people I know.He’s really smart, a good athlete, and helooks out for me. He’s always been my bestfriend and I want to be like him when I getolder.”Jackson Worley100 “(My parents) arealways there for me whenI need them and alwaysknow what to do in thetoughest situations. Theyboth work very hard forme and my siblings.”Gracelynn Jacobs