enjoys singing, shopping, riding herboat, spending time with family, andsharing meals at her nanny’s house. Shedescribes herself as an over-comer –someone who meets challenges head-onand refuses to give up.“I try to gain strength in mychallenges, learn from my mistakes andpersevere no matter how impossible itmay seem,” she said.Performing on stage – whetherspeaking or singing – gives Price energy.Connecting with an audience, she says,is one of the most rewarding experiencesshe knows. To her, success isn’t justabout reaching goals; it’s about growth,happiness, and contentment.If she could change one thing aboutthe world, Price wouldn’t hesitate.“Without so much hate and jealousy,”she said, “we could create a kinder, morecompassionate world.”51
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55Madalyn Norris is drivento learn, ready to lead SStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALouth Columbus High School offersMadalyn Norris the kind of balanceshe thrives on. The 14-year-oldfreshman appreciates the mix ofchallenging academics, teachers who pushher to grow and the energy and teamworkshe finds through cheerleading.She said it is a combination ofeverything that makes the school special:the academics that challenge her, theteachers who support her, and thecheerleading that gives her energy andallows for teamwork.“I wish my school offered moreopportunities for leadership developmentand team-building, so we can gainadvanced skills and be better prepared forthe challenges of the world,” she said.In the classroom, math is where Norrisfeels most at home. She enjoys thechallenge of the subject and credits herfavorite teacher, Stacie Lane, for making iteven more engaging. Lane’s energy,encouragement, and high expectationshave helped math become Norris’sstrongest subject, while English remainsher most difficult.“My biggest help in school has been mychorus teacher, Mr. Jimmy Price, who hashelped me grow both musically andmentally by always pushing me and myclass to do our best, and whose easy-tomatch energy makes learning fun,” shesaid.At the core of Norris’s motivation areher parents, whom she calls her greatestrole models.“My parents show me what it trulymeans to be a good person, how to build astrong family and setting a godly examplethat guides me every day,” she said.Cheerleading is Norris’s favorite schoolactivity, helping her grow physically andmentally while staying active. She’s alsoinvolved in FFA, the Stallionettes andJunior Varsity Cheerleading. After beingless active in Junior Beta Club duringmiddle school, she hopes to soon beinducted into the Senior Beta Club.Outside of school, Norris extends herleadership and service through Tabor CityRescue’s Junior BLS program and herchurch’s youth program at Emerson OFWBChurch. Her dedication has earned hernumerous recognitions, includingacademic awards dating back to thirdgrade, honors in photography at the JuniorBeta State Convention, athletic awards,leadership positions throughout middleschool, and multiple first-place finishes inStory Continued on Page 57The freshman is already building a futureshaped by leadership, service, and ambition.
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57state-level EMS competitions. Mostrecently, she earned a spot on theprincipal’s list.Norris has ambitious plans.“After high school, I plan to attendthe Keck School of Medicine ofUniversity of South Carolina, to worktoward my degree in anesthesia,” shesaid. “My plan for life is to become ananesthesiologist and build a loving,stable future where I can start a familyof my own.”Her hobbies include cheerleading,crafts, and community service, whileher interests focus on healthcare,education, and travel. Norris says she’sproudest of the grades she’s workedhard to earn and of living her lifeguided by her Christian faith.She said that people might besurprised to learn that she enjoysrunning for office.“I held a Junior Beta Club positionall throughout middle school and alsoran for freshman class president thisStory Continued on Page 59
58 Madalyn’s drive is fueledas much by service andfaith as it is by academicachievement.
59year,” she said.“My greatest strength is myleadership and compassion,” she said.“I enjoy guiding and supportingothers while caring about theirgrowth.”“To me, success means becomingthe best version of myself, reachingmy goals, staying grounded in myvalues, and building a life I’m proudof.”“If I could change one thing aboutthe world, I would make sure everyonehas access to good healthcare, equalopportunities through education,kindness and respect for one another,and the resources they need to livesafely,” she said.
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63 LLakynWilson is focusedforward, grounded in kindnessStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALakyn Wilson says East ColumbusJunior-Senior High School feelsless like an institution and morelike a family. The 16-year-old juniorbelieves it’s the sense of community –how students and staff get along andsupport one another – that defines herexperience.“It really just feels like family,” Wilsonsaid.That connection is something shevalues deeply, even as she wishes theschool carried a stronger reputationbeyond its walls. Inside the building, shesees a place where teachers collaborateand students are encouraged to succeed.Chemistry is Wilson’s favorite class,while math stands out as her strongestsubject. English, she admits, has beenmore challenging.Along the way, teachers like historyand civics instructor Karen Haley andscience instructor Martin Migue havehelped her grow academically, pushingher to excel and believe in her abilities.She credits all of her teachers forworking together to make the school apositive place to learn.At home, Wilson’s foundation is builton the example set by her parents. Theyare her role models, teaching her thevalue of hard work, persistence, andgiving her best effort – lessons shecarries into every part of her life.“I couldn’t ask for better role models,”she said.Wilson stays busy beyond theclassroom. Softball and theatre arts areher favorite school activities, and she’s amember of the school dance team.Outside of school, she enjoys hunting,boating and spending time with familyand friends.Her dedication to academics hasearned her membership in both theNational Honor Society and the NationalBeta Club. Looking ahead, Wilson saysshe plans to attend college with the goalof becoming an anesthesiologist.Alongside her career aspirations, sheEast Columbus junior Lakyn Wilson is shapedby close connections, high expectations and aclear vision for her future.Story Continued on Page 67
“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 Wilkerson64
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66 Wilson moves easilybetween academics,athletics and the arts,reflecting a wellrounded sense ofbalance.
67hopes to build a family andcontinue growing in her faith.She says she’s proudest of hergrades and the focus she’smaintained on her future. Thosewho know her best might not besurprised, but others may be tolearn that she can sing.Wilson considers her greateststrength the ability to find good inpeople and situations. Thatoutlook shapes her definition ofsuccess: reaching her goals,building a family, findingfulfillment in her work, andstrengthening her relationshipwith God.If she could change one thingabout the world, her answer issimple and sincere.“I wish everyone could just bekind,” she said.
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71 OBella Smith is focused, firedup and moving forwardStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALn Friday nights at SouthColumbus High School, BellaSmith can be found where thenoise is loudest – standing withthe student section, cheering on theStallions and soaking in the sense ofunity that defines football season.For the 16-year-old junior, schoolspirit isn’t just about the game; it’sabout showing up, supporting oneanother and finding motivation inmoments when the entire school comestogether. That same focus andcommitment carry over into heracademics, athletics and the goals she’ssteadily working toward.She said she wished the school stillhad SWAG, the daily study and electiveperiods all of the county area highschools once had.She said her favorite class is mathbecause “every problem has a set-instone rule or formula.“My favorite teacher has been Mrs.Shonna Gurkin, my Health Science Iteacher,” Smith said. “She was myfavorite because she was hard on usand prepared us for future classes inthe medical field.”Math is Smith’s strongest subject;history is her weakest.She said the biggest help to her inher educational journey has beenCoach Storms.“She always pushes me to do my bestwhether that’s in volleyball oracademics,” Smith said.“My biggest role model is EmmaAnn Lay because she is an amazingcoach, person and volleyball player,”she said.“My favorite activity at school wouldhave to be pep rallies, especially ourpep rally before we play Whiteville,”Story Continued on Page 72South Columbus junior Bella Smith bringsenergy to the stands, discipline to theclassroom, and determination to the court.
Story Continued on Page 6472 Smith said. “It’s my favorite because all thestudents and teachers come together to havefun and to put tests and homework on holdfor a couple of hours.”Smith is active with the Stallionettes, theNational Beta Club and the varsity volleyballteam.“Outside of school, I play for GrandStrand Juniors Volleyball Club,” she said,adding that she was recognized for allconference this volleyball season.“After graduation I plan to get my degreeand work in sonography or cardiology,”Smith said. “I would also like to continueplaying volleyball at the collegiate level.”Smith said she likes to read and playvolleyball.“I’m also a member of the youth group atDulah Missionary Baptist Church,” she said.“I’m most proud of my growth as aperson and volleyball player this pastseason,” she said. “Some people might besurprised to learn that I did competitivedance up until seventh grade.”She said her greatest strength is“probably my emotional awareness.”“Success to me is getting everything youwant in life by working hard and at the end ofthe day feeling satisfied,” she said.Smith said if she could change one thingabout the world it would be to eliminate all ofthe unkindness.
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74 Bella’s love forstructure and rules –especially in math –mirrors the disciplineshe brings tovolleyball.
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79Built on confidence, carried by brotherhoodStory and PhotosBy FULLER ROYALor 18-year-old Rudy Jernigan,basketball has always beenmore than a game – it’s been aconstant.The East Columbus Junior-SeniorHigh School student fell in love withthe sport as a youngster, watchingSteph Curry light up the court.Jernigan knew the effort,confidence and belief exhibited byCurry could change everything.“He’s my favorite player,” Jernigansaid, adding that “My junior varsitycoach, Donovan Worley, helped shapeme into the player I am today. Hetaught me that hard work alwaysshows. In all aspects of life.”Now a senior at East Columbus, hecarries those lessons with him everytime he steps onto the floor.As a newcomer to the East’sprogram, Jernigan wasted no time inembracing what wearing an EastColumbus jersey represents.“It’s about brotherhood,” he said.“Even though I’m new to EastColumbus, and I’ll only be here thisyear, it’s still about being family andbuilding that chemistry.”He said “getting to know Coach CJhas taught me to trust my training andhas helped build my confidence.”That mindset shows up in the wayhe plays: high energy, nonstop effort,and a motor that never quits.This season, Jernigan said thebiggest improvement in his gamehasn’t been physical – it’s been mental.“Honestly, my confidence,” he said.“Confidence comes from practicingand I've done a lot of work in theoffseason and even outside of regularpractice. It’s helped because.. ingames, I can rely on that because I’vebeen working and having theconfidence to take tough shots and it’sworking for me.”As a team captain, Jernigan said heleads by example.Whether he’s scoring, lockingdown on defense or encouraging ateammate, his role is about doingwhatever it takes to help the teamsucceed. He said everyone on theroster pushes him to be a better player.Under pressure, Rudy keeps thingsFRudy Jernigan concentrateson one possession at a timeStory Continued on Page 82
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simple: One possession at a time.“I rely on God and my training,” hesaid.Those principles helped fuel one of hisfavorite moments of the season – a hardfought road game against SouthBrunswick High School where he scored19 points.Off the court, Jernigan said he keepshis priorities straight. Academics comefirst, a lesson reinforced by his family –especially his stepmom, who makes surehis schooling stays on track.When basketball shoes come off, folkswill likely find him outdoors, working,fishing, or dreaming about a future infarming.Looking ahead, Rudy’s goals are clear:win the conference, continue buildingteam chemistry, and keep growing – onand off the court.If his journey so far is any indication,hard work will keep showing up, just likehis coaches taught him it always does.82
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Story Continued on Page 7684 “Confidence comesfrom practicing and I'vedone a lot of work inthe offseason and evenoutside of regularpractice.”Rudy Jernigan
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88 Class of 2027 high school juniors whowant their senior year to stand out shouldtake a serious look at becoming SeniorModel Reps with Fuller Royal Photography.Being a model rep isn’t just about greatphotos – it’s about being a leader and a facefor your school’s senior class.Reps get the chance to represent theirhigh school, build confidence in front of thecamera, and be part of a fun, creativeexperience that kicks off senior year in amemorable way.As a Senior Model Rep, students gainaccess to exclusive photo sessions, uniquelocations, and creative concepts that go farbeyond a standard senior portrait.It’s a chance to express personality,style, and individuality while working witha photographer who has decades ofexperience capturing seniors at their veryFuller Royal Photography forClass of 2027 Senior Model RepsStory Continued on Page 82
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best.Model Reps also receive special perks,opportunities for publication and theexcitement of seeing their images sharedand celebrated throughout the year.Perhaps most importantly, the SeniorModel Rep experience helps juniors stepinto senior year with confidence andmomentum.It encourages leadership, responsibility,and school pride – qualities that colleges,employers, and communities value.By signing up with Fuller RoyalPhotography, juniors aren’t just booking aphoto session; they’re joining a team,telling their story, and starting senior yearwith an experience they’ll remember longafter graduation.Call to sign up. 910.770.1834
Looking BackHere are several images from the days of film -the mid-1990ʼs. You might recognize theseseniors from those days. Since then, we havephotographed thousands more.Book your session today.910.770.1834