GATORLIFE 1 GATOR THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF EAST COLUMBUS JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL LIFEGatorHawk is now GatorLIFE In this Issue • Four Teacher Cadets pursuing education. • Graduates take full advantage of what East has to offer. • Prom is another huge success. Volume III Issue I September 2023
GATORLIFE 2 To Our Readers: In case you missed it, GatorHawk Magazine is now GatorLIFE Magazine. Last May, the Columbus County Board of Education, at the behest of parents, renamed the junior high grades of East Columbus Junior-Senior High School as the Gators, with green and orange as their colors. The Hawks name, mascot, and red and black colors, were removed and for the first time since their arrival, the seventh and eighth grades became “Gators” in name, spirit, mascot and colors. Of course, the change necessitated a new name for the school’s magazine. The yearbook is called Swamp Life. So, the magazine became GatorLIFE. The title is one word and the letters in LIFE are uppercase as an homage to the great LIFE Magazine created by Henry Luce in 1936. I am using red in the information bar below the name, again as a tribute to LIFE Magazine and as a memory of the Hawks. Also, red is a good color to have on a cover image. Just ask the late, great illustrator Norman Rockwell. In this issue, and the next two, you will see stories written last spring by the previous crop of Gator Media writers. We didn’t have room for their stories in last sping’s issues. You will also see stories by our new class of writers, all new to Gator Media. So far, they are doing an excellent job. Please enjoy this issue. Our next issue is in three weeks. Fuller Royal Gator Media Instructor GATORLIFE
GATORLIFE 3 INSIDE On The Cover Percussionist East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Class of 2023 graduate Jayson Spaulding performs a set on his drum kit during the ECJSHS Spring Arts Department Performance last May. VOLUME III, ISSUE ONE • September 2023 4 Leigha Reaves 5 Atlas Cooper 6 Danica Kern 7 Nakoah Nye 8 Teacher Cadets 10 Ava Jacobs 12 Tristan Bellamy 13 Isaiah Hewett 15 Aiden Russ 17 Lakyn Wilson 18 Tristian Graham 20 R.J. Hester 21 Nikolas Nunez 23 Kyron Munroe 24 Alex Benton 26 Kaden Best 27 Dillan Cartrette 28 Jeffery Robbins 29 Naomi Sessoms 30 Ayden Graham 32 2023 Prom Night 48 Kynley Scott 50 Sophia Robertson 52 Christian Graham 58 2023 Career Day 64 Kaley Mitchell 66 Nancy Utterback 68 Hannah King 69 Yahir Cruz Jaimes 71 Lilliana Martinez 72 Aurianah Nye 74 Landyn Jacobs 75 Jonah Jacobs 76 Donnell Davis GATORLIFE is published monthly by Gator Media. All stories and photographs are copyright 2023 by East Columbus Junior-Senior High School and Gator Media. Gator Media’s instructor/advisor is Fuller Royal. He can be reached at [email protected] or 910.646.4094. GATORLIFE
By NEVAEH MOORE Gator Media Staff olton resident Leigha Reaves is a 13- year-old eighth grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Reaves said the best thing about East is, “We don’t have to wear school clothes.” Her favorite class has been physical education because, “Coach (Douglas) Skipper is always fun.” She said her strongest subject was science, because it was easy to learn. Reaves' weakest subject was math because, she said, it was hard to understand, sometimes. Reaves' favorite teacher was Coach Skipper because, “He is funny.” She said the person who inspires her the most is her mother, Jessica Reaves. She said her mother does her best to do everything for Reaves and her siblings. The person who had helped her the most at school was Nevaeh Moore, because she always keeps her “straight” in school. Reaves’ favorite activities at East have been volleyball and softball. She said she gets to play the sports she loves while being with her friends. She also plays travel ball outside of school. After high school, she wants to attend college to become a traveling nurse. Reaves’ favorite music genres are Rap and Country. Her favorite television show is Ginny and Georgia, her favorite food is crab legs and her favorite app is Snapchat. She said her biggest fear is of drowning. Reaves said something people would be surprised to learn about her is she is shy. She also says that people would probably describe her as “happy and funny.” Reaves wants enter nursing B
By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus JuniorSenior High School Class of 2023 graduate Atlas Cooper is from Bolton. The thing he liked best about East was “Some of the people and teachers are great.” His favorite memory at East was “anything dealing with my friends.” His favorite class was digital design and animation. His strongest subject was horticulture. His weakest was math. His favorite teacher at the school was former math instructor Rohan Lewis. “He is funny and very chill,” Cooper said. His biggest role models included God and his mom. He said counselor Brittany Edwards and classmates Hilleri Stukes and Sanaa Pierce, had helped him the most at East. “Thanks for helping me and making me laugh,” he said. His biggest accomplishment in high school was the confidence in himself that he gained. His favorite activity at East was lunch because he was able to socialize with his friends. Outside of school, he enjoyed sleeping, cleaning, going outside and helping around the house. This fall, he is attending Cape Fear Community College for two years and then wants to transfer to N.C. Central University, UNC-Greensboro, North Carolina A&T or UNC-Charlotte. His favorite music is Hip-Hop, his favorite movie is Moana and his favorite food is pizza. He said the laughing emoji describes him best. “I’m always dying laughing and I end up crying.” His hidden talent is his love of writing. He thinks people would be most surprised that he, “Prays a lot and, also, meditates.” His biggest fear is of spiders. Cooper loves to write E
GATORHAWK 6 By SARA SESSIONS Gator Media Staff Writer anica Kern is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 14-year-old Lake Waccamaw resident said her favorite thing at East was the middle school softball team, and her favorite memory of East so far has been the Junior Beta induction. Kern’s favorite class was physical education because it was fun and stress relieving. Her strongest subject was English language arts and her weakest was math. Her favorite teacher was Douglas Skipper because, “He is very fun and understanding.” Kern said her role model at East has been junior Sara Sessions. “She always makes things positive,” Kern said. She she had been helped the most at East by school nurse Lynn Worrell “She always helps me through things.” Her favorite activity at East is softball because it's her favorite sport and she gets to play it with her friends. Her other activities at East include cheerleading and dance. She is also a member of the Gator Media team. Her out-of-school activities include Lake Waccamaw Methodist Church youth, recreation softball and helping at Rock Paper Scissors Hair Salon. Some of Kern's accomplishments include: the Best Attitude Award in cheerleading, Junior Beta Club and listing on the AB Honor Roll. She plans on attending a four-year university to become either a dermatologist or an esthetician. Her favorite music is by Taylor Swift. Her favorite app is Notes. Her favorite movie is 10 Things I Hate About You and her favorite television show is Gilmore Girls. Her favorite team is the Gators Softball Team and her favorite game is Uno. Her favorite food is cookies. She said the cupcake emoji best describes her. “I love cupcakes.” Her hidden talent is that she is very flexible. Something people might be surprised to learn about her is that she is funny. Her biggest fear is of sleep walkers because, “You never know what they are going to do and you can’t wake them.” Freshman Kern would love a career in dermatology D
GATORHAWK 7 E Nye looking for variety in future career choices By DAMIAN CRUZ PEREZ Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School junior Nakoah Nye found a love for basketball last year between playing the game during his daily physical education classes and joining the Gator junior varsity basketball team. He said he was able to make lifelong memories last basketball season with his teammates. When he’s at East, he can usually be found hanging out with his friends, taking honors-level classes or playing sports. Nye, a regular on the honor roll, said his best subject is history, with his weakest being math. During the past two years at East, he has narrowed down his favorite teachers to Dr. Anthony Martin and Arthur Moore. He said they both have relatively fun classes. Along with being one of his favorite teachers, Moore is one of Nye’s mentors. He said Moore continues to inspire him because Nye wants to experience the variety of jobs that Moore has had. Outside of school Nye like to sleep, watch Ready Player One, listen to Rock music, read the Harry Potter series or play chess. Some thing that Nye would like people to know about him is he can jump on a pogo stick. He said people always assume he is older because of his height and his biggest fear is of his girlfriend because, “She is just scary.”
East Columbus Teacher Cadets Four Class of 2023 graduates looking toBy FULLER ROYAL Gator Media Instructor our East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Class of 2023 graduates are taking the educational steps to shape their careers as classroom teachers, and all four have been awarded significant scholarships to help in achieving those goals. Karli Godwin, Ava Jacobs, Harmony Somerville and Katie Wilson all elected last spring to become public school teachers. All four were also part of East’s Teacher Cadet Program. Godwin, who has athletic and academic scholarships to Oklahoma State University, said she joined the cadets during the fall semester of her senior year. “I joined because of my interest in being a special education teacher,” she said. Wilson also joined last fall. “I joined because Mrs. (Brittany) Edwards needed students to join the class,” she said. “So, I volunteered. Saying ‘yes’ was the best decision I have made throughout my four years of high school.” Jacobs said the program expanded her appreciation for teachers. “I gained inside knowledge and saw how much work the teachers put in,” she said. Godwin said being in the classroom observing teachers made her realize how much love and work goes into teaching. Wilson said she came to realize that teachers are, “Hands down some of the most important people in the world. I had no idea how much of an impact they make on students’ lives.” Jacobs said that the cadet activities included spending time in the high school’s special education classes, shadowing teachers at area elementary schools and attending a teaching conference. Godwin said the cadets helped with picture days at school and helped out at Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School. “We experienced so many cool activities including visiting the schools and attending a conference at N.C. State,” Wilson said. Jacobs said the best part of Teacher Cadets was being involved in the classrooms. She said she especially enjoyed shadowing and assisting teachers at different grade levels at the elementary schools and the special education classes at East. “I joined because Mrs. (Brittany) Edwards needed students to join the class. So, I volunteered. Saying ‘yes’ was the best decision I have made throughout my four years of high school.” Katie Wilson Karli Godwin Ava Jacobs F
Produce Four make teaching youngsters their careers New Teachers Godwin sad she also enjoyed the in-class experiences. Wilson said she enjoyed helping out in the classrooms. Godwin said she learned a lot about herself and what her teaching style might be. Jacobs said she learned about her purpose in life. “It’s not about the money you make, but the the impact you can have on somebody’s life.” Wilson said the thing she learned about herself was the love and appreciation she has for teaching and for children. Jacobs said because of the cadets, she plans on teaching elementary school. “The program did influence my decision once I got involved,” she said. She learned more about education. “I fell in love with the idea of being a teacher,” Godwin said she wants to be either a special education teacher or work at the pre-school/kindergarten levels. She said the cadet program was a definite influence, especially after an assignment where Teacher Cadet advisor Christina Jacobs had them write letters to teachers who had change their lives. “I want to influence others as they have influenced me,” said Godwin. “If it wasn’t for Teacher Cadets and the experience that came along with it, I don’t think I would have even considered teaching.” Godwin said she will major in business and minor in special education at Oklahoma State. “I then plan to stay and build on that with a degree in elementary education,” she said. “I think that it would be very rewarding to come back to East and teach and coach.” Jacobs, who with classmate and fellow graduate Harmony Somerville, received a Brave Scholarship from Pembroke State University plans to major in elementary education and minor in psychology. Wilson will attend N.C. State University on a N.C. Teaching Fellows Scholarship. “I am majoring in elementary education and earning a license in special education,” she said, adding that she wants to acquire master’s degrees in education and business. Harmony Somerville Katie Wilson “The program did influence my decision once I got involved. I fell in love with the idea of being a teacher.” Ava Jacobs
GATORLIFE 10 By AZIYAH PATRICK Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School Class of 2023 graduate Ava Jacobs of Buckhead, said the thing she liked best at East was the support of the counselors and teachers. “They try their best to encourage each and every student to strive to be the best inside and outside the classroom,” she said. “They have alway pushed me to my fullest potential no matter the subject or activity and I appreciate them for that.” Jacobs said her favorite memory at East will be, “My senior nights since I’m an athlete of varsity softball and volleyball. Those will be my nights that I will look back on and remember.” Jacob’s favorite class was Teacher Cadet because, “It’s opened my eyes to the world of education and that’s what made me find what I wanted to major in when I go off to college.” She said her strongest subject was math and her weakest was chemistry. Her favorite teacher was exceptional children’s teacher and volleyball coach Allison Edwards because, “Becoming one of her players for volleyball, and growing a bond with her, and being able to be in her class and interact with her kids, helped with any problem I encountered,” she said, adding that she pushed her to her fullest potential and always offered a helping hand when she needed her. Jacobs said her mother inspires her because, “She has shown me what it means to be an independent woman, she has taught me how to be strong, follow Christ, and she has always been my biggest supporter since I was a little girl. “She has always been there every step of the way whether it’s behind the fence or on the bleachers.” The person who helped Jacobs the most at East was high school counselor Brittany Edwards. “From being my math teacher to being my counselor my senior year, she has always been there to help me and has always pushed me to my limits, even when I thought I couldn’t do it,” Jacobs said. “She has given me advice in school and out UNC-P Brave ScholarE
GATORLIFE 11 of school. She’s just a great person all around.” Swamp Chomp was Jacob’s favorite activity at East because, it gave her and the other students time to socialize with their friends, helped them catch up on work and a provided them, “good mental day.” This fall, Jacobs is attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. “I will be majoring in elementary education with a minor in psychology,” she said. Jacobs, and classmate Harmony Somerville, will attend UNC-Pembroke on Brave Scholarships. The Brave Scholars programs is the result of a partnership with Columbus County Schools, Public Schools of Robeson County, Scotland County Schools, and the Whiteville City Schools. The Brave Scholars program provides financial and professional support to future elementary and special education educators who make a commitment to serve in one of the partnering school districts following graduation. Jacobs’ favorite music includes R&B and HipHop. Her favorite movie is Creed III while her favorite television show is All American. Her favorite food is pasta, her favorite app is TikTok, her favorite team is the Tar Heels and her favorite game is Uno. She said the emoji with the hearts around the face best describes her because, “I spread lots of love and joy.” She thinks the one thing people would be shocked to find out about her is that she is actually going to become an elementary education teacher. Jacobs’ biggest fear is of failure. “If you fail, you don’t succeed in accomplishing your goals, but sometimes it takes failure to push you to accomplish your goals,” she said. Jacob’s favorite class was Teacher Cadet because, “It’s opened my eyes to the world of education and that’s what made me find what I wanted to major in when I go off to college.” majoring in education
By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ristan Bellamy, of Farmers Union, is a senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. He is also the ECJSHS Student Council President. The thing he likes best about East is, “I enjoy the relationships people have with each other; it makes me feel like we actually get along.” His favorite memory was last year's fourth period JROTC class. “It was fun,” he said. “I bonded with many and created lots of memories.” His strongest subject is English and his weakest is math. His favorite teacher is former JROTC instructor First Sgt. James Alston. “He’s helped me countless times and continues to play a big part in my life,” Bellamy said. Someone who inspires Bellamy is Class of 2023 graduate Christian Graham. He described Bellamy as a brother who helped him stay on track. He said he has missed him since he graduated. Those who have helped him the most at East have been Alston and high school guidance counselor Brittany Edwards. “They’ve poured so much into me,” he said. “Their support keeps me going. I’m forever grateful for them.” His accomplishments include listings on the A/B honor roll, JROTC battalion commander and executive officer for JROTC. In addition to the student council, he is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club. His favorite activity is lunch. “Honestly, I enjoy going to lunch every day to be loud and socialize with my friends.” His activities include running track and keeping the stats for the basketball team. He enjoys hanging out with friends in his spare time. His plans upon graduation include attending North Carolina A&T to major in secondary education. His favorite music is R&B, his favorite movie is ATL, his favorite television show is My Hero Academia. The moon emoji best describes him, he said. “I'm a shady person, LOL.” He wanted to give a “Shout-out to my Lord and savior, and my friends and my family.” Bellamy wants to teach T
Story and Photo by REESE BENNETT Gator Media Staff Writer saiah Hewett, 17, is a senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Hewett said the best part about East is its people. “They’re easy to get along with,” he said. A memory that will forever be with Hewett is going to Swamp Chomp and hanging out with his best friends. Hewett’s favorite course at East is automotive repairs. He said that automotive instructor Arthur Moore, who happens to also be his favorite teacher, is the “funniest teacher in the school.” He said Moore is the best teacher at East. Hewett said his weakest subject is math. In addition to Moore, Hewett said staffer Fred Pedro and high school counselor Brittany Edwards have also helped him pass his classes. He said they are people who he looks up to, and have taught him a lot here while being at East. Outside of school, Hewett works at Hwy. 55 in Delco. He also works with his grandfather when he needs help. Hewett enjoys listening to Hip Hop music and watching John Wick 4 and The Walking Dead. His favorite game to play is Division 2 and his favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys. One thing that Hewett thinks people will find interesting about him is his ability to pop his shoulder in and out of place. He added that, “I may look mean, but I'm actually really nice.” One thing that Hewett is afraid of is being robbed, “I don't wanna get hurt or hurt anyone.” Hewett appreciates East’s people I
GATORLIFE 14 Waiting their cue Members of the cast for last Spring’s East Columbus musical production of Disney’s Descendants wait backstage during rehearsal for the signal to enter the upper deck of the show’s massive two-story set.
GATORLIFE 15 S By GATOR MEDIA STAFF ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School freshman Aiden Russ is a 14-year-old resident of Whiteville. He said the thing he likes best at East is just how helpful the teachers are with their students. He said they have already been a big help to him. He said his favorite memory so far is playing baseball with Coach Fred Pedro. “He is like a second dad,” Russ said. Band is his favorite class. He said band instructor Anna Slaughter has helped him and others in band. Science is his strongest subject. “I’m better at science than any other subject,” he said. “It’s more interesting.” Math is his weakest subject. “Some of it I just don’t understand.” His English I instructor, Fuller Royal, is his favorite teacher because, “He teaches me stuff that I didn’t know.” Russ’ mentor and role model is his pastor, Matthew Tarpley. “He preaches about Jesus,” Russ said. He said junior high history teacher Ebony Murchison has been the most help to him at school. He said she had been a big help with history. His favorite activity is sports. “The more I play, the better I get,” he said. In addition to baseball, he plays drums in the high school’s band. Outside of school, he likes to play golf and go freshwater fishing. He’s also fascinated by turtles. He’s not sure what he wants to do after high school: a trade school or Cape Fear Community College. He likes Country music, Chicago Fire, the movie Break Every Chain, Mexican food and the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He enjoys Netflix, the Atlanta Braves and Madden 22. He said the folded-hands emoji best describes him because he is a Christian. In additon to being a percussionist, he can also work a yo-yo. People are surpised to learn he likes golf. His uncle was a golfer. His biggest fear is of sharks. “I watch too many shark movies,” he said. Russ looking for a trade to learn E
GATORLIFE 16 A sweet victory Presented here are a selection of images taken during a tight varsity soccer match-up with Whiteville High School, which resulted in a Gator win. East defeated the Wolpack booters 2-1.
GATORLIFE 17 By KINSLEY WILSON Gator Media Staff akyn Wilson is a 14-year-old resident of Lake Waccamaw. The freshman said her favorite thing about East Columbus Junior-Senior High School is the sports program and how it gives her something to do. She said she gets to be with her friends in the process. She said she wishes there was a bigger variety of electives at the school. Her favorite class is gym because it gives her a break from her core classes. Wilson’s strongest subject is science and her weakest is math. She said Coach Doug Skipper is her favorite teacher at East Columbus because of “How understandable he can be.” Her biggest role model is her older cousin, junior Kinsley Wilson. She said Kinsley has taught her a lot and “Continues to teach every day.” Wilson said the most helpful staffer has been Angela McLean. McLean was one of Wilson's first teachers when she arrived at to East Columbus and that McLean had been helping her ever since. Wilson was the president of Eighth Grade National Junior Beta Club last year. Her favorite activity at East is cheering. She said she's good at cheering and that all of her friends cheer with her, which makes it more enjoyable. Wilson is also involved in softball, theater and volleyball. Along with playing softball for her school, she plays with her community team outside of school. After graduating from high school, she wants to attend North Carolina State University or the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She ultimately wants to sell real estate. Wilson said she enjoys Rap music, the movie Endless love, the television show All American, tacos, Snapchat and the New York Yankees. Few people know that Wilson can sing and dance. She said her biggest fear is of being kidnapped. The smiley face emoji best describes her because of how “happy and smiley” she is and how she lets nothing get in the way of her joy. Wilson said her life is going well and she can't wait to see what the future holds. Wilson wants to sell real estate L
GATORLIFE 18 By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School freshman Tristian Graham, 14, is from Bolton. Graham said he has enjoyed the majority of his time at East in JROTC. “I have the most fun in JROTC and learn discipline,” Graham said. He dislikes the sports and the difference in attention the high school students receive versus middle school students. Graham said JROTC is his favorite course. “Because it definitely is the ‘funnest class.’” He excels academically in JROTC and English. Graham said former JROTC instructor First Sgt. James Alston and Coach Douglas Skipper are his favorite teachers. “They’re both really fun and chill,” Graham said. When considering his biggest inspirations, he mentioned his two older brothers, his cousin Davione, and his cousin Tristan. Graham said Michele Johnson has helped him the most during his time at East. “She puts in the most effort,” he said. His accomplishments include induction into the National Beta Club and membership on the student council. He said he enjoys physical education classes in the gym and he is active in soccer. Graham spending time in the outdoors. Upon graduation, he hopes to win a scholarship and attend college for technology and editing. A hidden talent about Graham is his ability to sing and dance. Graham looking at digital technology, editing career E
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GATORHAWK 20 By KAYDEN BALDWIN Gator Media Staff Writer J. Hester, an 18-year-old resident of Hallsboro, is a 2023 graduate of East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. He said the thing about East that he liked the most was how much the school made him feel like he was at home. If there was one thing he would change, it would be to allow students to leave campus for lunch. Hester said he loved advanced physical education because it allowed him to exercise. He also liked the sports involved because it gave him the chance to bond with friends. On the academic side, he said his strongest subject was math. His weakest was English. English IV instructor Tara Williamson was Hester’s favorite teacher. He said he appreciated all of the life skills she had taught him. He said former JROTC instructor First Sgt. James Alston had motivated him to be a better man. He said high school counselor Brittany Edwards had motivated him to attend college. He considers Alston and Edwards the two staff members who had helped him the most and who had acted as role models for him. Hester ran track and played football for East. Outside of school, he worked at a Food Lion. His post-graduation plans include attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to major in computer science and minor in criminal justice. His favorite movie is Norbit and the emoji he thinks describes him best is the “shocked emoji.” Hester said his biggest fear is of not succeeding in life. R. It’s computer science for Hester
GATORLIFE 21 By DAMIAN CRUZ PEREZ Gator Media Staff Writer ikolas Nunez is a Hallsboro resident. The East Columbus Junior-Senior High School sophomore said he thoroughly enjoyed Swamp Chomp last year because of the sense of freedom he received from being able to choose his activities/classes and which lunch buddies to spend his time with. He said, so far, his favorite memory would have to be working on a Dodge vehicle in his favorite class, automotive mechanics. Nunez believes that his strongest subject is anything dealing with IT while his weakest subject is physical education. He said his favorite teacher is automotive instructor Arthur Moore. “He always pushes you to be your best self, Nunez said, adding that he had two role models at East: Dr. Anthony Martin, because of his teaching style, and 2023 graduate Damian Cruz Perez. “He is a good friend,” he said. Last year, Nunez said his greatest accomplishment was completing driver’s education. Outside of school, he can be found sleeping, which he says is his “favorite hobby.” A few of his favorite things include; Frank Ocean's music, the Greek epic poem The Odyssey, the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, That 70’s Show, Mexican food, Minecraft and chess. Something others would be surprised to know about Nunez is that once they get to know him, they find out he is “very energetic.” Nunez has a plan to attend college in order to gain a good salary and have a comfortable life. N Nunez proud of driver’s ed
New website In August, Gator Media premiered its new website, gatorlifemagazine.com. The site features stories and photography from current school and sporting events. All of the images may be downloaded for free. Check it out today!
By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff yron Monroe, 16, keeps himself involved with sports at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The junior is from Farmers Union. “(Sports) helps keep my mind off things,” he said. Math is Monroe’s best subject while some teachers can be among his biggest frustrations. Monroe was a big fan of former math instructor Diondre Graham. “He is chill,” said Monroe. He considers his parents to be his biggest inspirations. “They’re helpful and good people,” Monroe said, adding that former JROTC instructor First Sgt. James Alston is someone who’s helped Monroe the most at East. His favorite activity at school is playing basketball. He said he passionately loves the sport. Outside of school, he plays “street basketball.” His future aspirations include attending college for four years. The activities he participates in at East are all sports-related. Monroe enjoys listening to Rap music. Avatar: The Way of Water is his favorite movie. He enjoys watching Black Mafia Family. Instagram is the app where he spends most of his time. The Memphis Grizzlies is Monroe’s favorite sports team. The emoji that best suits him would be the “chill emoji” because he defines himself as a “chill person.” An accomplishment Monroe recognizes is that he’s passing his grade. Academically, he is stronger in math, and the weakest in English. Monroe looks to college K GATORLIFE 23
GATORLIFE 24 By MADISON NORTHAM Gator Media Staff Writer lex Benton is an 18-year-old 2023 graduate of East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. What Benton liked most about East was the sense of community among the people whether it was students or teachers. Benton’s favorite class was art because of the ability to don headphones and become immersed in the artwork. Benton’s strongest subject was math. The weakest was English. Benton’s favorite teacher was art instructor Jeff Rudnick. He had been like a father figure since fifth grade. In addition to Rudnick, Benton’s role models at school included band instructor Anna Slaughter. Benton said they both had helped with problems in life and provided much motivation to complete school tasks. Benton's accomplishments at East included serving as vice president of the National Beta Club and the National Honor Society. Benton also won awards in art. The graduate’s favorite activity at East was theater. “I got to be someone else.” Benton’s talent for, and love of the theater, manifested itself this year when the high school thespian took to the stage as the evil Benton put a multitude ofA
GATORLIFE 25 Maleficent in Disney’s The Descendants. Benton’s other activities at East included soccer, cheering, volleyball, band and JROTC. Benton’s out-of-school activities included working at Wendy’s Hamburgers and spending time as a gamer and as an artist. Plans after high school included joining the U.S. Army and attending college for art. Benton’s favorite music is Rock Buzzfeed Unsolved is the television show most watched and the favorite book is Love On The Brain or GYO. The emoji that describes Benton the best is the cowboy emoji because it has a chaotic energy. Benton’s hidden talent is the ability to memorize any song lyric. talents to work at East
GATORHAWK 26 By GATOR MEDIA STAFF olton resident Kaden Best is a 16- year-old sophomore at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Best likes how the teachers are “cool and understanding.” He said he loves school just the way it is. His favorite class is automotive repair because it’s something he enjoys doing. His strongest subject is earth science and his weakest is math. His favorite teacher was former East math instructor Diondre Graham. “He’s very understanding and very easy to get along with,” Best said, adding that Graham had helped him the most and allowed Best to come to him for help anytime he needed it. Best’s favorite activity is the gym. He said he hates sitting still. His other activities include cutting grass, hunting and riding dirt bikes. Best wants to be a welder. His favorite music is Country, his favorite television show is SpongeBob SquarePants and his favorite team is the Tar Heels. He also enjoys playing on the AAU basketball team. Best likes to hang out with his friends in and out of school. He said his friends would say he is, “wild” and “funny.” Best wants to weld B
Story and Photos by GRACIE COYLE Gator Media Staff Writer illan Cartrette is a seventh-grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 12-year-old enjoys that each class is only 30 minutes long. He is not sure what his favorite memory will be, but his favorite class is art because, “We get to draw and hang out with friends.” His strongest subject is science, while his weakest is social studies. His favorite teacher is science instructor Angela McLean. Cartrette said he doesn’t have any role models, but the teachers have been the ones who have helped him the most at East. His accomplishments include playing Dixie Youth Baseball along with going to a new school. His favorite activity at East is hanging out with his friends at lunch. He has no other extra-curricular activities at East, but he plans to try out for the middle school baseball team. His outside-of-school activities include baseball, video games and going to the beach. His plans after graduation include attending college and “figuring it out.” He hints that he might want to be a professional gamer. Cartrette’s favorite music is Country. His favorite movies are in the Fast & Furious series, but he doesn’t have a favorite television show. He loves steak and his favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid. His favorite app is YouTube while his favorite game is dodgeball. He said the smiling face emoji describes him best because he is always smiling and happy. His hidden talent is that he is double jointed. Cartrette said people would be surprised to know that he is a “very caring person.” His biggest fears are of snakes and spiders. He wished to add, “Go East!” D Cartrette might enter gaming
GATORLIFE 28 Robbins to pursue physical therapy J By GATOR MEDIA STAFF effery Robbins Jr. is an 18- year-old 2023 graduate of East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. The things he liked best at East were the “sports, and teachers with positive impacts on students.” His favorite class was advanced physical education. He loved to play basketball in that class. His strongest subject was math and his weakest was English. His favorite teacher was Fred Pedro. “No matter the person, or how good or bad they were, he always encourages them to be the best version of themselves,” Robbins said. Pedro is also his role model and inspiration. “He's trying to make East a better school with life and more school spirit,” Robbins said. He said Pedro had helped him the most at East. “Mr. Pedro, he's always helpful with anything and anybody,” Robbins said. “If they wanted to be helped, he would help them.” Robbins’ favorite activities at East included baseball and football. He has had the chance to play the sports he loves with the people he loves. He also enjoyed sports outside of school. After graduation, he planned to attend Southeastern Community College to play baseball and then transfer to a four-year school to major in physical therapy. Robbins loves Country Music, the movie, Coffee and Kareem and the television show, Manifest His favorite food is chicken Alfredo, his favorite book is the Bible, his favorite app TikTok, favorite team is the Carolina Panthers and his favorite game is Madden. Robbins said the laughing emoji best describes him because either he is laughing or he has people laughing at a random corny joke. People may be surprised to learn that Robbins is not one to go out of his way to be friends with people, but once he starts to care about them, if he stops, it's something they did. He said he forgives people way too easily. Robbins said his biggest fear is of heights.
GATORLIFE 29 It’s nursing or law for Sessoms N By TADEJA WALKER Gator Media Staff aomi Sessoms is a 16-year-old from Delco. She is a junior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The thing she likes most about East is the teachers who genuinely care about the wellbeing of their students and engage in conversations with them. She dislikes how some classmates disrupt class and try to take the education of others away. Sessoms’ favorite class is career management, taught by Roleita McKoy. McKoy is her favorite teacher. The course is helping her decide what she wants to do in the future and to learn all of the possible options. While her weakest subject is biology, she said she excels in English. Sessoms is in honors classes and has achieved the A/B Honor Roll. This semester, she aims to attain a spot on the A honor roll. After graduating, she plans to go into either nursing or law. While taking JROTC, she said staffer Samuel Brown helped her develop discipline and leadership skills. Outside of school, she likes eating Mexicanstyled dishes for dinner and “really at any time of the day.” She enjoys listening to Rap music and watching Bojack Horseman. The Wife's Stalker, by Liv Constantine, was the only book that she continuously read, unable to put it down. People would be surprised to learn that Sessoms is smart because she said others sometimes doubt and judge her knowledge without knowing much about her. Like many others, she has a deep fear of spiders as they are, “Furry and have plenty of legs that can grow back after they fall off.”
A By KINSLEY WILSON Gator Media Staff Writer yden Graham is a Class of 2023 graduate from East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. The 18-year-old St. James resident said his favorite thing about East was “how tight-knit everyone is.” “It feels like we're all one big family,” he said. One of his favorite memories was of defeating Whiteville High School during last year’s basketball season because, “It hadn't been done in a while, and it brought everyone together and created so much joy and excitement.” One of Graham’s strongest subjects is English, but his favorite is weight training. He said it helped him stay in shape for the sports seasons. His favorite teacher was school counselor Brittany Edwards. He said she never give up on him and continued to push him even when he didn't believe in himself. His biggest role model in life was staffer Fred Pedro. “Mr. Pedro is always in a positive mood and always stirs me in the right direction,” he said. Graham said former East staffer Alina Freeman had helped him most at East He said Freeman was “like a big sister” to him and is he is thankful for her. Graham said he was proud to be an A/B honor roll student and to be a part of the National Beta Club. His favorite activity at East was Swamp Chomp. “For an hour and thirty minutes, I actually enjoyed school,” he said. Graham was a part of the varsity men’s football, baseball and basketball teams throughout his high school years. Outside of school, Graham enjoyed hunting and riding his ATV around St. James. His plans included attending the University of North Carolina at Pembroke for a criminal justice degree. Ultimately, he would like to be an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Graham has younger twin sisters who he said he tries to set a good example for. He enjoys Rap and Country music, pizza and chicken. He likes playing Uno and loves watching the North Carolina State University women’s basketball team. Graham said the “investigator emoji” describes him best because he hopes that is what’s in his future. “I wouldn't trade my memories here at East for anything in the world and I will miss this, but I am excited for what the future holds,” he said. Graham wants to join FBI
GATORLIFE 31 Happenings ABOVE: Junior High Women’s Soccer Coach Reah Jacobs offers her team a post-game analysis as they learn about their next set of opponents. LEFT: East sophomore Will McDuffie volunteers with Boy Scout Troop 512 at Whiteville First Presbyterian Church during the Rise Against Hunger campaign. The volunteers packed more than 10,000 meals in two hours.
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GATORHAWK 33 Gators enjoy another ‘Enchanted Evening’ The 2023 East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Prom was another success with more students attending the annual spring event than any other in recent years. History instructor Karen Haley applied her “magic touch” to prom and created another of her masterpieces.
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GATORLIFE 41 NoahFlowers hands a customer a receipt at Food Lion in the northend of Whiteville.
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By DANICA KERN Gator Media Staff Writer ynley Scott is a seventh-grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The Delco resident said she thinks her favorite memories of East Columbus will be of playing sports and seeing her friends. Her strongest – and favorite – subject is math and her weakest is ELA. Her favorite teacher, who is also her math teacher, is her mother, Dana Smith. Scott said her role model is professional softball player Jocelyn Alo because she inspires Scott to do her very best in softball. Some of her activities at East include dance, softball, volleyball and cheerleading. Her activities outside of school include hunting, fishing, playing travel softball and hanging out with her friends. One of her recent accomplishments was winning most valuable player at her last softball tournament. After high school, Scott wants to attend East Carolina University to play softball and earn a degree as a physical therapist. With dance being one of her favorite activities she is a good dancer. Scott’s favorite music is Country, her favorite movie is The Sandlot and her favorite television show is Dance Moms. She enjoys Mexican food and watching the Atlanta Braves play baseball. She likes Snapchatting with her friends and playing her favorite game, Clue, with her friends as well. Her biggest fear is of clowns because, “They are really creepy and they follow you.” The laughing emoji best describes her because she loves to laugh and she laughs a lot. Scott interested in softball, physical therapy at ECU K
Since 1976, the Columbus County Arts Council has promoted and increased public awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the arts in our county. For many years, we have served both individuals and organizations in Columbus County by presenting or providing funding for exhibitions, performances, festivals, workshops, and residencies. The economic development of a community is directly related to its cultural resources. Help make a positive impact on Columbus County's future by building artistic opportunities for our citizens. The CCAC is working diligently to promote the arts in our county. Our facility is open on a regular basis and we plan to offer a variety of programs including classes, exhibits, performances, as well as, a small sales gallery featuring work by local artists. 822 S. Madison Street, Whiteville 910.640.2787 The Columbus County Arts Council Now Showing The Kathryn Ogden Humphreys Collection
Roberts loves history, the clarinet and ‘warm’ cafeteria cookies GATORLIFE 50 Story and Photo by CHAYLEE BRYANT Gator Media Staff Writer ighth-grader Sophia Robertson, 13, wants to go to college after graduating to become a sports psychologist. The resident of Delco said her favorite thing about East Columbus Junior-Senior High School is the cookies at lunch. “They are always warm,” she said. Robertson said her favorite subject is history. She said the subject comes easy to her and is taught by her favorite teacher, Ebony Murchison. She said her strongest subject is math. She was taught eighth-grade math in the sixth grade. Robertson said her favorite activity at school is student council. She said classmate Alana Bordeaux has helped her the most at school. She said Bordeaux was always available if she needed something. Robertson has been part of the junior high soccer team for the past two years. As a soccer athlete, she said her favorite team is Brazil’s national soccer team. Outside of school, she has played recreational sports since she was 6. Robertson said her hidden talent is the ability to play the clarinet. Her favorite music is from Rap artist Kevin Gates. Her favorite food is Chick-fil-A. Her favorite television show is HBO’s Euphoria. Robertson said she likes the colorful animations the show contains. She also likes to watch TikTok. Her biggest fear is of spilling or of dropping something on her mother’s white carpet. E