910.770.1834 GATORLIFE 51
By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School Class of 2023 graduate Christian Graham is one student who took full advantage of his time at the school. Bolton resident Graham, 18, said he enjoyed how “uplifting” the atmosphere was during his four years at East. “The teachers try their best and students do, too,” he said. A memory that the senior cherishes was winning last year’s Homecoming King. Graham said, “The week leading up to it, the support was out of this world. Knowing the school voted for me is a memory I cherish.” His favorite course was JROTC with former instructor Sgt. Maj. Andrew Crockwell. “That class taught me life lessons and gave me life-long friendships,” Graham said. While he did well in math, the same could be said for science. His favorite teacher was former English teacher and student council advisor Judy Petteway. “She encouraged me to be the leader I am today,” Graham said. He said his biggest inspiration is his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. High school counselor Brittany Edwards was the biggest help to Graham. He said Edwards’ consistent pushing and encouragement enabled him to successfully tackle most obstacles. His accomplishments included membership on the principal's list, honor roll, homecoming king and student body president. He was selected as the DAR Good Citizen for East Columbus. His favorite activity was soccer. “I feel so relaxed playing it,” he said. In addition to varsity soccer, his other activities included junior varsity soccer, track and field, JROTC command sergeant major, National Beta Club secretary, National Honor Society secretary, student body president, student body vice president, Teen Court, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gator Media and Special Needs Field Day. Outside of school he loved to play video games. He is attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he wants to major in business administration. GATORLIFE 52 Graham made the mostE Former Gator Media staffer Christian Graham downloads images from his cell phone. Graham was a prolific writer for GatorHAWK Magazine.
GATORLIFE 53 of his years at East Graduating Class of 2023 senior Christian Graham makes his final address to classmates at June’s commencement exercises.
GATORLIFE 54
Millions Last May, Lake Waccamaw saw one of its largest Mayfly invasions in years. The annual visitors, top photo, emerged from the lake and spent days clinging to trees, walls, windows, screens and cars. Above: Layers of deceased Mayflies in front of Ronnie McNeill’s garage door measured three inches deep. At left, the screened porch of Dale’s Seafood provides a roost GATORLIFE 55 for thousands.
GATORLIFE 56 When laughter strikes In June, just prior to the installation ceremonies for East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s 2023-24 student council officers, these student council representatives acquired a case of the giggles. Lakyn Wilson, Mackenzi Clemmons, Myleigh Moore and Danica Kern saw a photo of Kern on Clemmons’ phone that sent them into a prolonged laughing fit.
GATORLIFE 57 Thanks for the help As an appreciation for helping her dismantle last April’s Junior-Senior Prom, students in Fuller Royal’s English I class were provided a complete breakfast by prom director Karen Haley. Donuts, muffins, juices and fresh fruits were on the menu that morning. New chicks FFA members Josie Welch, left, and Sara Sessions, right, show off the chicks incubated at school by the agriculture classes at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Welch is a senior and Sessions is a junior.
GATORLIFE 58 East enjoys largest career day in decades Last spring’s East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Career Day may be the largest the school has ever hosted with nearly 80 companies and organizations represented. The event was also one of the largest in county schools history. Organizations included Columbus Regional Healthcare, SCC and the United States Secret Service.
GATORLIFE 59
GATORLIFE 60
GATORLIFE 61
GATORLIFE 62
GATORLIFE 63
GATORLIFE 64
GATORLIFE 65 By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff enior Kaley Mitchell is a resident of the St. James community. The thing she likes best at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School is the sense of family that the basketball and softball teams enjoy. Her favorite memory will be of how the Class of 2024 athletes stuck together and learned from each other. Her favorite class is advanced physical education. “I love playing basketball and talking with my friends,” she said. Her strongest subjects are math and science. “I understand both quickly,” she said. Her weakest subject is English. “It makes my brain feel dead, it's so boring,” she said. Her favorite teacher has been former staffer Alina Freeman. “She is caring and loving to all her students,” Mitchell said. Someone who inspires her is staffer C. J. Nobles. “He has been by my side since I started basketball,” she said. “He does workouts with me, and teaches me things I need whenever I ask.” Nobles has also been the person who has helped her the most at East. “He helps keep my head on track with my grades and sports.” Her accomplishments include playing on the varsity basketball team, making the A/B honor roll and becoming a member of the National Beta Club. Her two favorite activities are softball and basketball. “I’ve loved both of them since I was a kid,” she said. She also played volleyball for a while. Outside of school, she works at HWY 55 and Dunkin’ Donuts in Whiteville and plays travel ball. Upon graduation, she plans to enroll in a four-year college, study health science and play softball. Already, Mitchell has been accepted to Guilford College and has been offered the J. Floyd Moore Memorial Scholarship worth $25,000 as well as a $4,000 housing grant. Her favorite music is Rhythm and Blues. Her favorite movie is The Blind Side and her favorite television show is All-American. She said the laughing emoji best describes her because, “I’m always joking and playing around.” Her hidden talents include the abilities to dance and sing,.“I was in Celebrate the Arts for chorus,” she said, adding, “I used to do competition dance all over North Carolina.” She thinks people would be surprised that she, “Goes to school, practices and works in the same day.” Her biggest fear is of falling short of her goals after everything she has had to sacrifice to get to where she is. “I believe that anyone could do anything if they put their heart into it,” she said. S Mitchell plans to study health sciences Kaley Mitchell referees the student-staff volleyball match during the September pep rally.
GATORLIFE 66 Story and photos by DANICA KERN Gator Media Staff Writer ancy Utterback is the eighth-grade English language arts teacher at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Utterback, the mother of three children, enjoys Korean movies, reading and ice hockey. Her role models are Ronald Reagan and Eleanor Roosevelt. She grew up in Newark, N.J. and attended Harvard University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Florida State University for her degrees in history, special education and psychology. Before becoming a teacher, Utterback said she had worked as an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and even thought about becoming a social worker. Utterback said she was led to teach by an exceptional children’s supervisor in Bladen County, who offered to pay for her education. Utterback was originally a history teacher Utterback enjoying herN
GATORLIFE 67 Utterback in the high school, but switched to language arts last winter. Before arriving at East, she had multiple jobs, including teaching at the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw. She was an ED teacher at Lumberton Senior High School and the lead history teacher at West Bladen High School. She came to Columbus County to teach after someone told her it was a good place to share her wisdom. She said she enjoys everyone at East because, “We are lovable, like a family.” Utterback would like to see more electives at East Columbus for the middle school students because, “It helps them learn to be more responsible and to mature into better adults.” She said she genuinely enjoys teaching students because, “I get to see them physically, educationally and maturely grow.” Utterback believes that new textbooks, technology and caring teachers can help education the most. tenure at East Columbus
King hopes for career as a physician By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s Hannah King is a senior from Hallsboro. The thing she likes best about East is its teaching staff. “They are all very kind,” she said. Her favorite memory at East will be having played soccer with friend and junior Gemilia Calderon because, “She is funny and nice.” Her favorite classes are chemistry and biology. “They are fun and I love the teachers,” she said. Her strongest subject is math and her weakest is art. Her favorite teachers are history teacher and soccer coach Justin Furlow and science instructor Martin Migue. “They are both funny,” she said. She said it is Calderon who inspires her. “I want to be as caring and forgiving as she is,” King said. She said Class of 2023 graduate Harmony Somerville had helped her the most at school. “She lifted me up when I was feeling down,” she said. Her accomplishments include serving as the soccer team captain, and memberships in the National Honor Society and National Beta Club. She also went to the state finals in tennis, which is her favorite activity. She enjoys playing soccer and participating in Swamp Chomp. Her other activities at East include JROTC, bowling, running track and the FFA. Outside of school she works at Subsational, in Whiteville. After she graduates, she wants to attend East Carolina University with the ultimate goal of a career in medicine as a physician. King’s favorite music genre is Pop. Her favorite song is 24K Magic. Her favorite movie is Coraline. Her favorite television show is Showtime’s Shameless and her favorite food is rice. Her favorite sports team is the Duke University girls soccer team. She said the confused emoji describes her best. “I tend to be confused,” she said. Her hidden talent is, “I’m weirdly good with animals. I have rehabilitated many wild animals, and dogs, cats and a goat.” She said people would be surprised to learn that her great grandparents came directly from Germany. Her biggest fear is of touching fish. E
Cruz Jaimes looking to attend college By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School senior Yahir Cruz Jaimes said the thing he likes best at East is its offering of afterschool activities. “I get to hang out with all of my friends,” he said. He said his favorite memory will be his time with the soccer team. “I love playing soccer with everyone,” he said. His favorite class is chemistry, which is also his strongest subject He said the chemistry teacher, Martin Migue, “Is cool, and I love hanging out with him.” English is his weakest subject. He said that friend Andy Perez, who graduated in June, was someone at school who inspired him. “Andy taught me to never give up,” he said. The staff member who has helped him most is high school counselor Brittany Edwards. “She makes sure I’m passing my classes, and makes sure I’m taking the classes I need,” he said. His accomplishments include serving as a captain of the soccer team and placing second in drill at a JROTC meet. He takes honors classes and is a member of the National Beta Club. His favorite activity at school is soccer, adding that, “It’s my favorite sport.” His other activities at East include tennis, JROTC and FFA. Outside of school, he works at Subsational in Whiteville and with his dad in construction. After high school, he wants to attend a two-year community college, then transfer to a university. He listens to a variety of music styles. His favorite movie is Jurassic World. His favorite television show is Ginny+Georgia. His favorite food is tacos and his favorite sports team is Real Madrid. The “IDK”emoji describes him best. “I'm confused most of the time,” he said.” He thinks people would be surprised to learn that, “I am easy to get along with because most think I’m not.” His biggest fear is of bears. “They are unstoppable,” he said. E
The Whiteville Rotary Club 1924-2024 Celebrating 100 Years of Service to Columbus County
ophomore Liliana Martinez, 15, lives in Delco. The thing she likes best about East Columbus Junior-Senior High School is the lunchroom because she enjoys the food there. She said one of her favorite memories about East will be the art room because she has a big imagination and she likes to draw a lot. Martinez’ favorite class is art. Her strongest subject is world history and weakest subject is math. Martinez said her favorite teacher is Mr. (Fuller) Royal because, “He is very sweet and kind.” Martinez’ role models are her mother and father, who, “Help me achieve my goals and they have both given up on things for me to have a better education and future.” A staff member who helps Martinez is Fred Pedro. She said he always encourages her to do her work and to do better. Outside of school, Martinez likes to eat and sleep. She also loves to care for her little sister Emily. Once she graduates, she plans on going to college to become a nurse or a diagnostic medical sonographer. Her favorite musical artist is Brent Faiyaz. Her favorite movie is Pixar’s Up. Her favorite food is Mexican, especially fried tacos, and her favorite book is Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier. She likes the app TikTok and the National Mexico Soccer Team. Her favorite game is Tumble Guys. She said the awkward standing emoji best describes her because. “I am an awkward person and I just stand there.” Her hidden talent is her ability to “jump high.” Her worst fear is of thunder. “I don’t know why, I’ve always been scared of it,” she said. Martinez interested in medical sonography, nursing S
GATORLIFE 72 Story and Photos by BRANDON SCRIVEN Gator Media Staff Writer welve-year-old Aurianah Nye would like to go to cosmetology school, following in the footsteps of her mother. One of the things Nye, a seventh-grader, thinks is best about East Columbus JuniorSenior High School is its selection of elective courses. She also acknowledged the, “Selection of good teachers we have here.” Nye’s favorite teacher at East is band instructor Anna Slaughter. Nye said, “She makes everyone comfortable and she’s funny.” Last year Nye was chosen to play the piano for awards day. She said she enjoys band, which is her primary activity. “I like music, and playing it,” she said. Nye’s role models are the high schoolers because, “They’ve been at East longer and know what to do.” The person who has helped Nye the most at East is her boyfriend. “Ever since we got together, I’ve been getting happier,” she said. “And getting closer with God.” Outside of school, several of Nye’s activities include doing hair, makeup and babysitting. She said her greatest memories of her time at East will certainly include the football and basketball games because they provided good memories with her friends Science is one of Nye’s strongest subjects with English language arts being one of her weakest. Nye’s favorite music styles are Rhythm and Blues, Hip Hop and Rap Her favorite movie is Coraline and she enjoys watching the television series Shameless. Her favorite app is Snapchat because she can talk to all of her friends. Her favorites teams are at a East Columbus. Nye thinks folks would be surprised to learn that she is in the band because people say, “You don’t look like you do.” Nye said her biggest fear is of being alone. The emoji she says describes her best is, “The sleeping one because I love to sleep.” Nye loves being in the band T
GATORLIFE 73 910.632.2779 128 E. Commerce Street Whiteville, North Carolina www.pennsgrill.com
GATORLIFE 74 Story and Photos by LAKYN WILSON Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School sophomore Gary Jacobs, known as “Landyn” to his friends, is a 15-year-old resident of Lake Waccamaw. His favorite thing about East is the teaching staff. “Most of them are helpful and nice,” he said. Jacobs said his favorite memory will be earning his diploma, adding that he looks forward to moving on to bigger and better things. He said his strongest subject is math and his weakest is English. His favorite teacher is Tonya Jacobs, because if he ever needs someone to talk to, he knows she is there. He said Jacobs has helped him the most at East, adding that if he ever has a question or concern, she’s there. His role models in life are his brother and father. “They’ve been very successful in their lives,” he said.. One of his accomplishments is making the A-B honor roll. His favorite activity is baseball because it keeps him active and he enjoys playing. His outside-of-school activities inlude working with his family at GNG logging. His future plans include entering the work force. “I have better opportunities going straight to work with my family,” he said. His favorite app is TikTok, his favorite team is the Atlanta Braves, his favorite food is Mexican and his favorite music is Country. Sponge Bob is his favorite television show and The Water Boy is his favorite movie. He said the laughing emoji best describes him because he is always joyful and laughing. People would be surprised to know he is a good listener and a,“very nice, genuine person.” He said his biggest fear is of not being successful. “I want to make my mom and dad proud,” he said. Jacobs to work in family’s business E
GATORLIFE 75 Story and Photo by DANICA KERN Gator Media Staff Writer welve-year-old Jonah Jacobs is a seventh grade student at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Jacobs’ favorite thing about East Columbus is its sports program. He said he thinks his favorite memory of East is going to be of the pep rallies. Science is his favorite and best subject because, “It is fun.” His favorite teacher is science teacher Angela McLean because, “She is the best.” She said that art instructor Jeff Rudnick has helped him the most at East because he has helped Jacobs improve his art skills. He plays football on the school’s junior high team and wants to play for high school when he gets there. Jacobs' role model is David Goggins, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL who is also an ultra-marathon runner, ultra-distance cyclist, triathlete, public speaker and author, To Jacobs, Goggins is the greatest of all time. After high school, Jacobs said he would like to play baseball in college and become a part of Major League Baseball. His favorite music is Rap, his favorite movie is The Amazing Spider Man and his favorite book is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. His favorite teams are the Chiefs football team and the Patriots baseball team. His favorite game is Roblox, his favorite app is TikTok and his favorite television show is One Piece. The emoji that best describes him is the neutral face because, “I'm a cool guy.” He is double-jointed and one thing people would be surprised to know about him is is ancestry includes family members from Japan. Jacobs’ biggest fear happens to be of drowning because. “It’s terrifying.” T Jacobs wants to play MLB baseball
GATORLIFE 76 Story and Photo by JOSEPH ETHERIDGE Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School freshman Donnell Davis is a 16-year-old resident of Whiteville. He said he likes how East has more classes than other schools. His favorite thing at school so far has been the schoolwide talent show last January. Davis’ favorite class is JROTC. He said it lets him express himself. Davis said his strongest subject is reading and his weakest is math. His favorite teacher is JROTC’s Sam Brown. “He's a cool and funny teacher.” Davis’ role model is Michael Jackson. He said he looks up to the late singer and entertainer. He likes being in the school’s new gospel choir and performing as a drummer. He enjoys the digital design and animation class, and he enjoys physical education. His favorite activity outside out of school is performing in shows as Michael Jackson. Davis would like to enlist in the U.S. Army after high school. He wants to serve his country. He said his hidden talents include singing and making movies. Davis is East’s top ‘MJ’ fan E Donnell Davis performs his Michael Jackson routine at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s talent show last winter.
GATORLIFE 77 The freshman enjoys digital design
GATORLIFE 78 East Columbus JuniorSenior High School quarterback George Nance breaks through the gator Football banner at a recent home game. Nance is a senior and this will be his last season as a Gator.
GATORLIFE 79 ABOVE: Senior FFA members Joshua Martin and Chloe Dorsey deliver mums to teachers as part of the club’s fall fundraiser. LEFT: Soccer Coach Justin Furlow works on technique and drills with members of his varsity soccer squad.
GATORLIFE 80 One Last Look … Last May, while he was still a junior, East Columbus Junior-Senior High School senior Gavin Patrick jumped for joy celebrating the end of the 2022-23 school year.