GATORHAWK 1 THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF EAST COLUMBUS JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL In this Issue • East Columbus is a leader in classrooom technology. • School crowns its first Miss East Columbus. • Dancers experience unique training event. Volume II Issue 3 March 2023
GATORHAWK 2 GatorMediaStaff Ariana Alvarez•MiguelAndradeDominguez•KaydenBaldwin•Tristan Bellamy Damian Cruz-Perez•Daffne Fernandez•ChristianGraham•Kim Hernandez Raegan Horrell•Joshua G. Jacobs•Camila Jauregui-Del Angel Trinity Montgomery•NeveahMoore•MadisonNortham•Alexandrea Patrick Aziyah Patrick•Jessica Salmeron-Palacios•SaraSessions•Serenity Shufford Zaria Swindell•Tadeja Walker•Kinsley Wilson To Our Readers: My Gator Media staff is working me to the bone. I have never had a group of youngsters who were so highly motivated and productive. In this issue, there are 53 by-lined stories. Two of those stories are by guest writers, who don’t even receive a grade for their efforts. They enjoy being a part of this program. And we still have three more issues of GatorHawk Magazine to put out before the end of June, not to mention the 250-page Swamp Life yearbook, which also publishes in June. We have dozens of banners to create and deliver over the next month and in a couple of weeks, we will crank up our first Yodeck television. But, we will do it. Each year, for the English I novel, I teach “The Secret Life of Bees.” That was the novel on the shelf when I arrived at East in 2016. The title is a metaphor for the lives of the characters in the book. It is also an apt metaphor for Gator Media. Our fourth-period is an absolute hive of activity. The staff members buzz around the school gathering photos and stories, checking names, bringing students back to the Classroom 211 for interviews and portraits. It is a massive collaborative effort. And the payoff is huge. I know the Gator Media students are proud of what they are accomplishing. I hope the school and the community are just as proud that we have someting here that will be difficult for other schools to emulate. Fuller Royal Gator Media Instructor GATORHAWK
GATORHAWK 3 INSIDE On The Cover Grabbing a Hit East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Hawks softball team seventh-grader Millie Bracey reacts to her hit during a game against Central Middle School. The Hawks won. VOLUME II, ISSUE THREE • March 2023 4 Miss East Pageant 8 “Flo” Smith 9 Trenton Lowery 11 George Nance 12 Jaquise Smith 14 Carlie Jacobs 15 Kailey Marlowe 16 Braedon Jenkins 18 East Columbus Technology 26 Dr. Anthony Martin 29 Mia Ratliff 30 Dyan Jaimes 31 Gracie Coyle 32 J.T. Little 33 Norah Sessoms 35 Korey Lee Beatty 36 J’Von Junious 37 Jaime Reyes 38 Wendy Gomez-Valdez 40 Michele Johnson 42 Mariah Boyd 43 Levi Zickafoose 44 Herman Bland 46 Jaydan Coleman 47 Jirah Ward-Gorham 48 Damian Cruz-Perez 51 Mack Freeman 52 Azihay Patrick 54 John-David Waters 56 Dustin Fernandez 58 Mariah Carreon 60 Kyle Brandon Smith 61 Rashawn Thomas 62 Arely Martinez 63 Aaralyn Searles 64 Karlie Godwin 66 Sara Akins 68 Reggie Shufford 69 Mackenzi Clemmons 70 Cory Singletary 75 Andres Andrade 76 Junior Stewart 77 Josiah Hewett 79 Sergio Jauregui 80 Jeffrey Rudnick 84 East Dancers 88 Mariel Sellers 90 Alina Freeman 96 Diondre Graham 98 Janely Martinez 99 Jaycee Holmes 102 Anarely Nunez GATORHAWK 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.
GATORHAWK 4 By FULLER ROYAL Gator Media Instructor It was a night to remember as seven East Columbus Junior-Senior High School junior and senior contestants vied for the right to be known as the first Miss East Columbus. The first Miss East Columbus Scholarship Pageant was held March 4 in the school’s auditorium. About 200 people were on hand for the two-hour program, filled with song, dance, poetry and performances by the contestants and an array of guests. By the end if the program, senior Katie Wilson, the daughter of Shelia and Rodney Wilson Jr., had been crowned with the new title. Last fall, school nurse Lynn Worrell urged the school to undertake the pageant. It had never been done at East. Sharon Graham crowns Katie Wilson as the first Miss East Columbus The 2023 Miss East Columbus Katie WIlson Wilson is First Miss East
GATORHAWK 5 Taking the project under her wing, and with key help from fellow East staffers Sharon Graham and Lisa Thomas, a call went out to the school’s junior and senior girls for entries. Originally, there were eight contestants, but one had to withdraw due to time and scheduling constraints. The other six contestants were senior Neidra Hines, the daughter of Shirley Nichols; junior Hayven Jacobs, the daughter of Brandi Hickman and Hugh Jacobs Jr.; senior Saige Moore, the daughter of Lisa and Channing Moore; junior Shalonda Stanley, the daughter of LaRhonda Stanley; senior Ahdaeja Steele, the daughter of LaToya Steele; and junior Jamie Tippen-Flores. Each contestant chose a cause to promote as part of her quest for the title. Hines chose Celiac Disease Awareness. Tippin-Flores chose Child Advocacy. Steele chose Mental Health Awareness. Wilson chose Autism Awareness. Moore chose Every Child Matters. Jacobs chose Premier Living & Rehab Center. Stanley chose Senior Citizen Outreach in Riegelwood. They promoted their causes, working to make the student body at East aware of the programs they believed in. The contestants worked on their stage presence collectively and individually. They learned and rehearsed the opening dance number involving them all. They also competed in the talent, sports wear and evening gown categories. The first runner-up was Stanley. Second runner-up went to Tippin-Flores. Steele was chosen as most photogenic while Hines was named Miss Congeniality. The Cheer-LikeMarleigh Award also went to Hines. The compassions award went to Wilson. Assistant Principal Herman Bland served Neidra Hines Hayven Jacobs Saige Moore Sholanda Stanley Ahdaeja Steele Jamie Tippen-Flores
GATORHAWK 6 as the master of ceremonies. Principal Jamie Faulk provided piano music throughout the program. Dance numbers were provided by East Columbus dance classes, Southside Dance Centers Petite Allstars and Senior Allstars, and East students Jade Bright and Rylie Graham. There were also performances by Ashlyn Smith, Kaden Moore, TommieLynn Sing and Fred Pedro. Contestant escorts were Matthew George, R.J. Hester and Cainan Patrick. Kyleigh Patrick and Mariah Boyd Ryleigh Baldwin and Callie Jacobs Fred Pedro and backup dancers Cainan Patrick and R.J. Hester
GATORHAWK 7 Ahdaeja Steele Southside Dance Petite Allstars Neidra Hines Katie Wilson Sholanda Stanley Southside Dance Senior Allstars Kaden Moore Saige Moore Jamie Tippen-Flores Hayven Jacobs
By SERENITY SHUFFORD Gator Media Staff Writer olton resident, Flora “Flo” Smith, who has worked as a substitute teacher at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School for 15 years, loves her students. Smith grew up Norwalk, Connecticut and Bolton. She attended school in Acme-Delco before enrolling at North Carolina Central University. She left NCCU and transferred to Cape Fear Technical College (Cape Fear Community College today). She is able to substitute for any subject. Smith said she enjoys subbing at East because she loves the students and she enjoys the respect they show her. She has also enjoyed teaching students from Hallsboro Elementary and Middle schools and watching them as they grow. She said the thing she likes least about subbing is how rude some of students can be to each other. “(Teachers) need the kids to know when they are right and when they are wrong, and that the teachers are in control, and not them,” she said Smith would love to see more educational programs that teach students about living in the real world. “Nowadays, with times changing, the kids need the structure in school that they might not get at home,” she said, adding they need to learn, “About surviving the real world.” She said retired former Hallsboro Elementary School Principal Lynn Spaulding first inspired her to become a substitute teacher. He asked her to sub at the elementary school one day and when she went to the board to become a sub she was excited to find her name was already on the list. Smith never considered other jobs. “I love to help people, especially kids,” she said. “All my teachers were my role models and my inspiration to become a teacher,” she said. The thing Smith said she wants the most for students at East is for them to “respect themselves.” She believes computers to be the best thing, right now, for education, and the biggest need in education is for, “More teachers who care about their students.” Smith’s outside hobbies include shopping and traveling. She loves her job at East and wouldn’t have it any other way. Smith enjoys role at East B
By SARA SESSIONS Gator Media Staff Writer renton Lowery is a sophomore at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 16-year-old resident of Delco said he likes the gym best at East because he gets to play basketball with his friends. He likes lunch the least. Lowery’s favorite course is advanced physical education. His strongest subject is math and his weakest is American History. He said school counselor Brittany Edwards has been the biggest help to him because, “She always helps me with my classes when I need her to.” Outside of school, he can be found working in carpentry. After graduation he wants to enter the workforce or the military. His favorite music is Rhythm and Blues, and his favorite app is TikTok. He loves waffles and playing or watching basketball, and his favorite show is Adventure Time. Lowery said the emoji that best describes him is the sunglasses emoji because he, “Always keeps his cool.” His hidden talent is roller skating. His biggest fear is drowning. Lowery loves the gym T
GATORHAWK 10 East Columbus JuniorSenior High School freshman Kaiden Freeman, 15, spots fellow freshman Jonah Webb, 15, as they work out in the school’s weightroom.
GATORHAWK 11 G By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer eorge Nance is from Evergreen. The 17-year-old junior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School said he enjoys hanging out with his friends, and how chill and laid back everyone is at East. He dislikes that there is not a lot of support for the school. His favorite class is weightlifting. “I like to get stronger and attain new maxes,” he said. He is strong in math, however this is not the case in chemistry. Science instructor Mariel Sellers is Nance’s favorite teacher. “I have a lot of teachers I like, but Mrs. Sellers gives off positive energy and she’s a good person,” he said. His grandmother is his biggest inspiration. “My grandma motivates me to be better because I don’t want to let her down and I want to make her proud,” he said. He said Allison Edwards has helped him the most during his time at East. “She always looks out for me and gives me advice,” he said. Nance enjoys the school’s Swamp Chomp. “If I didn’t have Swamp Chomp, I wouldn’t be able to see my friends,” he said. Nance participates in baseball and football at East. Outside of school, he tends to his own landscaping business. On the weekends, he likes to hang out with his friends. Upon graduation, he wants to enlist in the U.S. Air Force to see the world. Nance said the “goofy” emoji best defines him because he is “fun to be around.” Nance wants to join Air Force, see the world
By KAYDAN BALDWIN Gator Media Staff Writer aquise Smith, 17, is from Whiteville. He is a junior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. He said he enjoys East because of the people there. The only thing he dislikes about the school is, “We’re not good at any sports.” Smith plays basketball, football and runs track with the school. His favorite class is advanced physical education where he can, “Shoot around and practice for basketball.” His strongest class is science, while his weakest is math. He said his favorite teacher at East is Coach C.J. Nobles because, “I just rock with him because he’s cool with the students.” Smith said Nobles motivates him to do better in school. One of Smith’s role models is NBA player Lebron James because of how good he is at basketball. He said East staffer Alina Freeman is the person who helps him the most at East, “Just by the way she's always there to listen and talk to.” His plans include graduating from high school and attending college, and later, playing in the NBA. His favorite things include Rap music, Snapchat, the Los Angeles Lakers, chicken and the video game 2k23. His favorite thing to do outside of school is AAU basketball. One thing he said everybody would be surprised to know about him is that he is actually nice and that his biggest fear is never succeeding in life. The emoji that Smith said best describes him is is the napping emoji because he sleeps everywhere, during anything and would sleep all day if he could. Smith dreams of NBA career J
Soccer Season East Columbus Junior-Senior High School women’s soccer team members work to defeat their opponent. Left: Senior Harmony Somerville looks for a teammate to pass to. Top right: Freshman Milana Graham works to return the ball. Middle right: Sophomore Sara Sessions stops the progress of the opposing team. Bottom right: Gemilia Calderon turns the ball around.
By JOSHUA JACOBS Gator Media Staff Writer would like to go to college at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and pursue a degree in nursing,” said East Columbus JuniorSenior eighth-grader Carlie Jacobs. “I would also like to get my CDL’s so I can go to work with my father on my off days.” The 14-year-old Council resident said what she loves about East, “Are the different learning opportunities that the school possesses,” and what the school contributes to her learning. Jacobs’ favorite class at East is history because she said Ebony Murchison is a good teacher and always respects her students. Jacobs’ strongest subject is reading, while her weakest is math. Her favorite teacher at is Angela McLean because, “She is the very best teacher I have ever had.” Jacobs said McLean helps her on any of the work if she doesn’t understand it. “Mrs. McLean is also an awesome life coach and is honest with everything,” said Jacobs. Jacobs’ mentor and role model was her late grandmother, Magdeline B. Jacobs. Jacobs said she was inspired by her grandmother because of the Christian life she modeled for Jacobs. Her grandmother also inspired her to chase her dreams and to, “Always put God first.” Jacobs’ accomplishments include consistently being an A/B Honor Roll student and her membership in the National Beta Club. Her favorite thing to do at East is PBIS where students are rewarded for good behavior. Her hobbies include cheerleading, cooking and participating in Native American pageants. Something people may not know about Jacobs is that she can change the oil in a car, or change a tire. Her favorite music styles are Soul and Rhythm and Blues. Her favorite movie is A Fall From Grace, directed by Tyler Perry. Her favorite television show is All American and her favorite food is seafood. Her favorite mobile app is Tik Tok. Her favorite NFL team is the Kansas City Chiefs. The emoji that describes Jacobs the best is the laughing emoji because she is, “Always smiling and enjoying life.” Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Jacobs looking to be RN GATORHAWK 14 “I
Marlowe would like to work as veterinary tech GATORHAWK 15 By FULLER ROYAL Gator Media Instructor East Columbus Junior-Senior High School junior Kailey Marlowe hopes to become a veterinary technician. “I like everything about East,” said the 17-year-old Lake Waccamaw resident, adding she can’t think of anything she doesn’t like about the school. While horticulture is her favorite class, economics and finance are her strongest subjects. Math is her weakest. Agriculture instructor Alicia Pickett is her favorite teacher. “Her class is fun,” Marlowe said. Her role models are her parents, who, she said, “Inspire her.” Marlowe said history instructor Karen Haley has been the most help to her at East. “When I miss anything, she helps me,” Marlowe said. FFA is her favorite activity. “We hang out and listen to music,” she said. With a love for animals, Marlowe wants to attend college to become a veterinary technician. She likes Pop and Country music and the film The Vampire Diaries. She likes the television show Shadow Hunters and eating sushi. Her favorite app is TikTok. She said she doesn’t have any hidden talents. “I do like to sing, just not in front of people,” she said Her biggest fear is of clowns. She said the emoji that best describes her is the happy face.
GATORHAWK 16 By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer raedon Jenkins, 14, is from Cerro Gordo. The East Columbus Junior-Senior High School student-athlete enjoys engaging in school sports and spending time in math class, which is his favorite course. The freshman is academically strong in English. Jenkins’ favorite teacher is math instructor Diondre Graham. “Mr. Graham is funny and cares for his students,” Jenkins said. His biggest inspiration is his father. “He was a strong worker and he cared,” he said. Jenkins said Jaden Troy has been his greatest help at East. Jenkins’ accomplishments include playing multiple sports at East and continuing to be on the school’s Honor Roll. He said his favorite thing would have to be sports. “Playing sports keeps me out of trouble,” he said, adding he spends his time outside of school playing more basketball. He also enjoys making others laugh throughout the day. Jenkins’ primary goal after high school is to attend college. He’d like to play basketball on a collegiate level or “become a professional comedian.” He said the 100 percent emoji best describes him because, “I keep it 100,” he said. A talent that others may not realize he has is the ability to, “Draw a little.” Something that really scares him is the possibility of being, “Buried alive.” Jenkins said he wants people to know that he loves all of this siblings. Jenkins hopes for career in basketball or comedy B
GATORHAWK 17 Hollywood Bound? Students in Fuller Royal’s English I classes collaborate with each other to write opening scenes for movies as they learn about writing and formatting screenplays. During the last two weeks before spring break, the classes were exposed to numerous types of writing including research essays, business letters, thank-you letters and letters to the editor. Top photo: As Damario Jackson and Nash Batten look on, Will McDuffie listens to a story pitch from Kyleigh Patrick. Left photo: Antonio Currie, Reagan Bullard and Mackenzi Clemmons work out a bit of dialogue. Bottom right: Kate Brown, Kirstin Jacobs, Malia Graham and Milana Graham work on their screenplay.
GATORHAWK 18 By GATOR MEDIA STAFF oday, technology plays a bigger role than ever in public school education. And it’s technology that is at the forefront of several departments at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. From the arts to media/journalism to careertechnical education, the latest innovations are leading the GatorHawks to new career paths and exposing them to ideas for their lives they had never before thought possible. Consider the school’s visual and performing arts department. Various funds and grants, including one from the Walt Disney Company, have helped upgrade the lighting and sound systems in the school’s auditorium. One of the biggest improvements in the lighting systems has been the installation of a series of light bars over the audience that can be lowered to allow for ground-level adjustments of the lighting units. The school just received its first high-powered digital projection system, which will allow for large screen presentations for film, broadcast and theatre productions. Art instructor Jeff Rudnick, who also teaches technical theatre, has a knack for writing for and Tech’s role at East is vital ECJSHS computer science and technology instructor Dr. Anthony Martin illustrates how to splice RJ45 cable into connecting pins in his computer technology class. T
GATORHAWK 19 receiving grants and special funding for various projects at East. “Art is full of technology, but has a relationship of struggle,” Rudnick said. “I try to find ways to incorporate technology that strengthens student work, instead of replacing it.” In Rudnick’s art classes, students are using digital drawing tablets, inkjet printers, 3-D printers, vinyl cutters, heat presses and kilns. Students are exposed to 3-D imaging and are able to realize large-scale projects thanks to an in-house, super-wide inkjet printer. There isn’t much that can be designed, drawn or sketched that can’t be printed at a larger scale for wall displays. “We use all these things to enable students to create in unique materials and speed up or assist their work,” Rudnick said. He said the added technology gives students, “Access to see and experience how art is used in the real world, industry and to benefit society. “Right now, everything is in, but we are constantly learning new ways to use (the technology),” Rudnick said. “Most recently, we got the large format printer that we use for marketing and fundraising around the district. “My goal is for students to understand how their art can be translated from a hobby into a career and be used for income and industry,” he said. In the school’s Career Technical Education wing, automotive instructor Arthur Moore is anticipating the eventual addition of electric vehicles to his department’s course of study. Moore already uses technology in his teaching. It plays a crucial role in the areas of powertrain, safety, infotainment and manufacturing. For years, automotive repair programs have stressed the growing importance of computer/ digital diagnostics that scan and measure car performance. New technology can detect issues quickly and often, without having to first tear a car or engine apart to get to a problem. Some of the new technology coming in the future is akin to the robotic diagnostic tools used in modern medicine. And traditional tools have been upgraded so that many of them include digital components that increase the accuracy of measurements. Down the hall from Moore’s department is the computer technology and design department headed by Dr. Anthony Martin. In Martin’s department, students are learning not just the basics of wiring, installation and coding, but are jumping into the areas of design and innovation. Martin comes to East with years of experience in school-based technology. His experience also extends from a lifelong interest in technology and computers. These banners, designed in Gator Media, represent the eight facets of East Columbus and the four demographic groups at the school. They have become a tradition at East.
GATORHAWK 20 This real-world experience of working with computers in education, much of it gained while working in the Whiteville City Schools, has paid off in droves for East Columbus. When he was with Whiteville, Martin spearheaded the system’s launch of its first ever school-wide Apple laptop program at Central Middle and Whiteville High schools. Martin was an IT troubleshooter with an eye on the bigger picture and he brings that same mindset to East. Martin’s classroom (he recently moved into a much larger space to allow for his program’s increasing popularity and the growing varieties of technologies) is full of large wall-mounted monitors, 3-D printers, scanners and high-tech work benches. While the vast majority of computers at East are Windows, Martin is introducing his students to Apple products. Seven new Apple computer workstations are on their way, including two that are designated for video editing/production with Final Cut Pro. Already, students are able to compose and mix music in multi-track setups. Martin’s room resembles the old Innoventions attraction at Walt Disney World’s Epcot. Martin stays on the cusp of technology and is always ready to offer the latest to his students. He has also enlisted his students in the technology drive. Several have learned enough in his program to help repair and Sophomore Jaden Troy tries his hand at splicing and capping eight-strand digital cable in the computer tech program at ECJSHS. Dr. Anthony Martin uses a digital microscope camera to enlarge items to explain minute details. The video feed is displayed on the large screen monitors in his classroom.
GATORHAWK 21 maintain the hundreds of Chromebooks at the school. Senior Damian Cruz-Perez is one of those students. “I think it is very important,” Cruz-Perez said of the technology at East. “A lot of teachers base their teaching around technology. It has become a really big part of our lives. “I learned how to fix a Chromebook,” he said. “I learned the individual parts of a computer. I learned how to troubleshoot computers and the steps that it takes to repair them.” He said his skillset has greatly expanded because of the program. “If someone needs help, I can always be there to help,” he said. “I love everything, it’s really all interesting.” In the English Department, the school’s nearly five-year-old Gator Media program has greatly benefitted from the additional technology it has received. Gator Media instructor/advisor Fuller Royal knows the importance of incorporating technology into journalism and media. Five years ago, the program hit the ground running when it switched to yearbook publisher TreeRing, which totally changed how yearbooks are created, ordered and delivered. Senior Damian Cruz-Perez removes the cover panel of a Chromebook to check what needs repair in the unit. Senior Dustin Malpass prepares an electronic composition as part of a project to perform the piece in a different genre of music.
GATORHAWK 22 New on-demand printing technology has eliminated multiple deadlines, minimum purchases and extensive waits for finished orders. Only the number of yearbooks needed are printed, with an 8 to 10-day delivery time. There is total flexibility. Additional yearbooks can be ordered at any time. The company will print one yearbook if needed, whenever it is needed. East Columbus students can still order the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Swamp Life yearbooks online, directly from the publisher. The new technology keeps yearbook staffs from amassing any debt at all. Students in the Gator Media class have access to four large-screen computer setups to design, lay out, populate with photos and edit the copy on their assigned pages. The class also has shutterless, micro 4/3rds digital single lens reflex cameras for capturing still images and 4K video. This semester, a fully equipped, fully functional photography studio was installed in Gator Media’s new location, one of the older science rooms, which offers a lot more space. Students can capture/create the images to accompany their stories for GatorHawk Magazine and for the yearbook. Another addition to the Gator Media program The Gator Media classroom is large enough to accommodate a fully functional five-light photography studio setup. Freshman Ian Debrosse designs a car in the computer design class.
GATORHAWK 23 is a Czur book scanner. The class is rephotographing all of the school’s yearbooks as part of its 30-year celebration. Some are already available in their entirety, online at www.gatorseast.com. That’s the school’s website. The Gator Media students will eventually be introduced to the skills needed to populate and maintain that website. Gator Media students also produce this magazine, a monthly online publication, which can be anywhere from 60 to 120 pages. So far, including this issue, the students have published 580 pages of magazine filled with stories and photos. Affinity Publisher, out of England, is the software used. The class also has a large-format Epson inkjet color printer, which produces 13x19-inch galleys or proofs for students to use in their proofreading. The printer is used to make short-term signage for the school as posters and announcements. The printer uses Ecotank ink reservoirs, saving the programs hundreds of dollars. Gator Media also creates the athletic banners for the school. A new project this year, called Faces and A layout for a promo poster for the school’s Swamp Life yearbook is readied in a program from England, Affinity Publisher. This Apple iMac is one of three in Gator Media. Dr. Anthony Martin starts a 3-D printer, explaining the process to sophomore Jaden Troy, freshman ZayVaan Hines and sophomore Nakoah Nye.
GATORHAWK 24 Columbus County Schools maintenance technicians install the first of East’s flatscreen televisions for its new Yodeck system. The prototype for the school’s new Yodeck television signage features tickers for the middle school and the high school at the bottom. A GatorHawk Magazine ticker runs along the top. The screen also contains the time, the weather, a Facebook feed, videos and slide shows. Voices, is highlighting about 25 seniors with 2x6 banners fastened to the walls of the main hall. And from Gator Media’s roughly 200,000 images, 4-foot by 6-foot photo banners will be printed for the long halls of the school showing off action shots from athletics and events. The newest addition to Gator Media’s technology arsenal is its Yodeck Digital Signage system. A newly installed flatscreen television in the school’s busiest intersection features multiple “widgets” that include tickers or “crawls” for the junior high Hawks, high school Gators and general GatorHawk Magazine. There are slideshows and videos, the time, the weather and a feed from the school’s Facebook page. The material is easily updated on the
GATORHAWK 25 ZayVaan Hines checks one of the computer technology department’s 3-D printers. Rylie Graham is all smiles in front of a 6-foot by 6-foot banner featuring one of her hurdles from last year’s track season. fly and features menus, scores, announcements and birthdays. Next year, more monitors will be added throughout the school, with the largest being placed in the cafeteria. No two monitors will present the same material. East’s innovations in the use of technology will continue as staff and students adapt to the everevolving creations from science and industry. Art instructor Jeff Rudnik created this 6-foot by 16-foot banner used to prevent access to an area on the junior high side of the 200 Hall.
Photos by Alina Freeman By DAMIAN CRUZ-PEREZ Gator Media Staff Writer ake Waccamaw resident Dr. Anthony Martin has been teaching a variety of technology, engineering and design classes at East Columbus JuniorSenior High School for the past two years. “Helping someone gain knowledge is one of the coolest things I have experienced,” Martin said. Married to Nicole Martin, a veterinarian, the couple have two dogs, three cats and two children: Ian and Jovie. Martin said he came to East because, “It sounded like a great opportunity to try something new and to build a program.” Before he went into the technology/ education field he considered radiology, photography and becoming a pilot. Martin said he had an interesting childhood, which included residing in Saudi Arabia from ages 3 to 6. He later moved to Southwest Missouri. Martin attended several universities as he furthered his education, including Missouri Southern State University, the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications, a master’s degree in education technology and a doctorate in leadership and administration. “I like the small school feel of ECJSHS where you can really get to know your students and tailor your class to better fit their needs,” he said. He said there isn’t much he dislikes about the school, other than a front entrance that needs a major overhaul. “I wish our outside quad area wasn’t a pool when it rained,” he said. “It’s in disrepair and reflects on the rest of the school when visitors come.” He also wishes the school could add a culinary arts/cooking program and more automotive bays so automotive instructor Arthur Moore could further improve his “already fantastic automotive course.” Before Martin came to East, he taught classes at several colleges, including SCC. He also taught corporate professional development. Martin said that his only wish for East is for, “My students to be happy, healthy and kind.” Outside of school, Martin can be found woodworking, doing some sort of DIY project, working on computers, camping with his family, cooking and exploring the outdoors. L Martin loves ‘small-school feel’
Looking for One More Base East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Hawks baseball coach Fred Pedro tells player Braylon Waddell to hold at third for just a second as he waits to see what the opposing team is doing with the ball.
By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School freshman Mia Ratliff loves track season. She thinks it’s fun and enjoys being around her teammates. She enjoys playing sports because she’s competitive and her team feels like, “family.” Track and weightlifting are Ratliff’s favorite activities at East. She said they help her release stress and keep her in shape. She enjoys watching the progress she makes in getting her dream body. After Ratliff graduates from high school, she said she would like to study dermatology or nursing, specifically travel nursing. Even though she’s active with school athletics, Ratliff has kept her GPA to her liking. She’s good at math and science, but struggles a little with English. She enjoys math as long as it’s not hard. Diondre Graham, East’s Math I and Math II teacher makes his classes easy for Ratliff and her classmates to understand. Graham is one of her favorite teachers. She said she feels like she can be herself around him. JROTC instructor First Sgt. James Alston, is her other favorite teacher. She said he’s easy to talk to and is a good track coach. Ratliff said that Alston and her friends have helped her the most at East by keeping her in check and being supportive of her. Her mother is a role model for her along with singer, songwriter, actress and model Teyonna Taylor, who inspires her. When she is not in school she likes to ride four-wheelers and hang out with her cousins. She enjoys listening to Hip-Hop and Rhythm and Blues and watching TikTok. She likes any Madea movie and watching the series The Originals. She likes playing COD Mobile and eating seafood. Her favorite book is Diary of the Wimpy Kid. She believes the goofy-faced emojis best describe her because those are some facial expressions she makes a lot. Her hidden talent is singing. Something people would be surprised to learn is she’s actually strong. Her biggest fear is going to hell because she doesn’t want to see, “him.” She’d like to add a, “Shout out to 5/5, my track team and my softball girls.” E Ratliff loves East athletics
By JESSICA SALMERON-PALACIOS Gator Media Staff Writer yan Jaimes, a 15-year-old resident of Hallsboro, is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. She likes East because she enjoys socializing with the students and teachers. One thing she doesn't like about school in general is having to wake up so early. Jaimes’ strongest subject is English, while her weakest is math. Her favorite class is American Theatre. She enjoys the performing and dancing parts. Some of her favorite teachers are from the arts department, specifically the musical theater department including Sloan Deans and Anna Slaughter. She said Deans and Slaughter make their classes fun, and they are supportive and helpful. After graduation Jaimes is undecided about what she will do She would like to attend college and study to be a nurse. Jaimes’ best friend, Aryanna Ivey, has helped her the most at East. Jaimes enjoys drawing both in and out of school. Her favorite artist is singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez. Jaimes’ favorite show is The Walking Dead and her favorite movie is Puss in Boots: the Last Wish. Her favorite game is Hello Kitty Hospital, her favorite app is Tik Tok and her favorite food is Cup O’Noodles. Jaimes’ hidden talent is being really good at memorizing patterns. Something she fears the most is heights because she wouldn't want to fall from so high. Jaimes is secretly a cat whisperer. And she is interested in money because she loves material things. Jaimes might pursue nursing D
GATORHAWK 31 By JOSHUA JACOBS Gator Media Staff Writer would love to attend Florida State University and pursue a degree in cosmetology,” said East Columbus JuniorSenior High School eighth-grader Gracie Coyle. The 14-year-old lives in Delco. Coyle said the things she loves most about East are its athletics. She said they keep her active. Her favorite class is Indian Education. She said she loves to learn about her culture and her ethnicity as a Waccamaw Siouan Indian. Her favorite subject is English, while her least favorite is math. Coyle’s favorite teachers are Coach Douglas Skipper and Native American Education instructor Alina Freeman because, “They do school activities in a fun way.” She said she can talk to them about anything. The person who has helped Coyle the most at East is her first cousin, Addyson Crosby. Coyle’s accomplishments at East include membership in the National Beta Club, listings on the A Honor Roll and being a part of the Hawks cheerleader squad. Her favorite activities at East include playing the two sports she loves dearly: volleyball and softball. After graduating from East, Coyle said she would love to play college softball. “The reason why I would love to pursue a degree in cosmetology is I love doing hair,” she said. Her favorite types of music are Soul, and Rhythm and Blues. Her favorite group is Jagged Edge. Her favorite director, movie producer and actor is Tyler Perry. Coyle’s favorite television show is Riverdale. Her favorite food is steak. During her downtime, she enjoys reading The Jungle Book and scrolling through her favorite app, TikTok. Coyle’s favorite college team is the Florida State Seminoles and she enjoys playing eightball pool. She said the heart emoji best describes her because, “I love everyone.” She said people are surprised to learn she is only in the eighth grade because she looks older. She said her biggest fear is heights because she doesn't like being off the ground for an extended period of time. Coyle considering cosmetology “I
J.T. Little checking into career with mechatronics By KINSLEY WILSON Gator Media Staff Writer ames Tyler Little, also known as “J.T.,” is a 17-year-old senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Little, who resides in Delco with his parents, said the teachers are one of his favorite things about East Columbus. He said they treat him well and encourage him. He said his favorite memories at East will include participating on the bowling team and having great times with his friends. Little’s strongest subject is math and his weakest is English. His favorite teacher is automotive instructor Arthur Moore because of his, “Outgoing and funny personality.” Little’s biggest role model is, “Jesus, because of how He was an incredible leader.” School guidance counselor Brittany Edwards is someone he would like to thank for helping him the most at East Columbus. Little is an honor student and a member of the varsity baseball team. Being a part of the baseball team is his favorite activity at East Columbus. A few of his out-of-school activities include golf and cooking. After graduating high school in June, Little plans to attend Cape Fear Community College to obtain a degree in mechatronics. Little enjoys Country music, TikTok, pizza and the Atlanta Braves baseball team. He said something that would be surprising to learn about him is how he can dunk a basketball and that he has two siblings. Little describes himself as calm and happy for the most part. His biggest fears are needles and drowning. “I love my family and friends and seeing people happy,” he said. “I'm enjoying my life right now, but I'm excited to see what the future brings.” J
GATORHAWK 33 It’s criminal psychology for Sessoms By TADEJA WALKER Gator Media Staff Writer orah Sessoms was raised in Delco. The 15-year-old sophomore takes all honors classes at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Her favorite part of attending East is being able to see her friends, as they make her day more enjoyable. She dislikes how a handful of students attempt to portray East Columbus as a negative place to be and to discourage others. The class Sessoms likes the most is biology. She said she admires the study of life and finds it interesting. Her strongest subject is biology, while her weakest is math. Her favorite teachers are Dr. Jennifer Smith, English II, and Mariel Sellers, biology. “They are patient with students who are struggling and they try their best to create a positive environment for them,” Sessoms said. She speaks kindly of guidance counselor Brittany Edwards who, she said, has helped Sessoms and many other students and staff members with things in, and out, of school. She takes pride in her honors classes and said she proves she deserves to be in them by her exam scores, maturity and behavior. She doesn't participate in any activities at East, but she does like reading outside of school. Following graduation, she plans to attend college and study to become a criminal psychologist. Her favorite book is Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. She listens to Pop and Country artist Taylor Swift while reading. After a long day, she enjoys watching the television series Shameless and the movie Where the Crawdads Sing. Sessoms’ biggest fear is the ocean because of how much of it has yet to be discovered. The seldom-visible sharks that roam around in it daily – the ones that everyone tries not to think about while swimming – make her uneasy. N
Rounding the corner Davonte Marshburn slows after handing the baton to teammate J’Von Junious at a track meet at West Columbus High School in March.
By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School freshman Korey Lee Beatty likes the people at his school. “It’s easy to make friends, and they can help you out more than you think,” he said. He enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing sports. While playing sports is something he loves to do, playing sports with his friends makes it 100 percent better. Math is his favorite class because most of his friends are in that class and it makes getting his work done a lot more fun. Social studies is his strongest subject; it’s easy for him to understand and grasp a concept. Math is his weakest subject; it used to be nearly impossible for him to learn math. Now, he’s starting to understand math a little better, thanks to math instructor Diondre Graham. Anna Slaughter, East’s band/music instructor, is his favorite teacher. “She is very easy to work with,” he said. “She makes things simple.” The person who inspires Beatty is his brother. “He always has his mind set and his things together,” Beatty said. “He always does what he’s supposed to.” He said his friends have helped him the most at East. They are the reason he likes coming to school every day. He feels accomplished that he made the AAU basketball team. His favorite activity at East is Swamp Chomp. He likes how everyone is able to hang out with their friends and, “We all get to be around each other, and sometimes it can be peaceful.” His out-of-school activity is basketball. After he graduates, he’d like to become either a successful sports player, a trucker or an entrepreneur. He plans on attending college for his benefit and to play sports for a while. Beatty enjoys Rap Music and surfing YouTube. Fast & Furious 6 and Spongebob are his favorite things to watch on television. He enjoys eating dumplings while playing Brawihalla. The sunglasses emoji best describes him because he’s, “Very chill, laid back and funny, too.” His biggest fear is being alone. He said he’d hate to be alone and have no one to talk to. Just to be left with guilt would be scary. Something impressive that people don’t know about Beatty is he is a good roller skater. E Beatty looking to future
GATORHAWK 36 By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer ’von Junious is a 15- year-old from Hallsboro. The East Columbus JuniorSenior High School sophomore enjoys spending his time at East playing basketball. “It helped me build brotherly bonds with a lot of friends,” according to Junious. He feels as though the most down-grading factor about East is the bus rides. He loves math class. “Mr. (Diondre) Graham makes sure I understand everything,” he said. Junious performs well in English. He said it’s his strongest subject. Math is his weakest. Junious considers math instructor Diondre Graham to be among his favorite teachers at East. “He is very understanding and makes class fun,” according to Junious. He considers his father his biggest inspiration. “He makes sure I do anything I want to,” he said. Junious points to classmate Brevion Johnson as the person who’s helped him the most at East. “Brevion gave me plenty of advice and the talks that I needed,” he said. The student athlete enjoys playing basketball in physical education. When he’s not playing for the school, he plays basketball as part of the Waccamaw Elite AAU basketball team. His goals after high school include playing basketball and owning a shoe company. The laughing emoji would best define Junious because he calls himself, “Goofy.” One of his greatest fears is falling into a hole. Something that may come as a shock to others who aren’t familiar with Junious is that, on the court, he doesn’t play center. Junious would like to start, own sports shoe company J
GATORHAWK 37 By DAFFNE FERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer aime Reyes, 17, a junior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School, lives in Whiteville. Reyes’ favorite teacher is art instructor Jeff Rudnick. Reyes said Rudnick is, “Pretty chill,” and allowed him play his guitar when he brought it to school. He said his best memory of East will be of he and his friends, Julian Islas and Luis GarciaHernandez, bringing their guitars and playing them outside the cafeteria. His favorite class is art. “I enjoy making bowls with my friends,” he said. The thing he likes best about East is his group of friends called, “The Cuhs,” which includes Islas and Garcia-Hernandez. “They are very funny,” he said. His strongest subject is agriculture science and his weakest is English. His role model is friend Garcia-Hernandez because he helps him when he needs help. The people who have helped him most at East are the Cuhs because, “They are smart.” One of his achievements at East is a certificate for soccer, which is his favorite activity at school. He has played the game since he was little. Playing Fortnite is his favorite out-of-school activity. When he graduates, he wants to be a professional gamer. He would love to some day work as a rocket scientist so he could be a passenger on a spacecraft. His favorite music artist is Ivan Corenjo and his favorite app is YouTube. His favorite movie is Tokyo Drift and his favorite television show is Family Guy. Reyes’ favorite food is tacos de asada and his favorite team is the Mexican soccer team. His favorite book is Diary of a Whimpy Kid. His hidden talent is knowing how to dance. Most people are surprised to learn that he isn't a, “Show off.” J Reyes shooting for space
GATORHAWK 38 By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus JuniorSenior High School sophomore Wendy Gomez-Valdez is 16 years old. The Lake Waccamaw resident said the best thing about East is the teachers because, “They are welcoming.” She believes that the school is at its best when the teachers try to get to know their students. The thing Gomez-Valdez likes least likes about Columbus is when some of the students are rude to each other. “It makes the school look bad,” she said. Her favorite class is visual arts. She said the teacher, Jeff Rudnick, “Is nice, and cool.” Math is her strongest subject while her weakest is English. Gomez-Valdez’s favorite teacher is horticultureagriculture teacher Alicia Pickett. “She is very funny and relatable,” Gomez-Valdez said. Her strongest role model is her sister, Deisy GomezValdez. “She is who I want to be like in the future,” she said. She said her friends are the ones who have helped her the most at East. Gomez-Valdez is a member of the National Honor Society. She works at Whiteville’s Fun Factory. After graduation, she would like to be successful and to be working. She is unsure about her future plans, but will continue to work while figuring it out. She listens to all types of music, except for Country. Her favorite television program is the Latin television show El Señor de los Cielos. She said the laughing emoji describes her best because she is always laughing and smiling. Her biggest fear is adulthood. E Gomez-Valdez looks for success
GATORHAWK 39 New Marshals in Town East Columbus Junior-Senior High School installed its new class of junior marshals recently. The incoming marshals are, top photo, standing, from left: Makayla Carter, Caitlyn Leta, Peyton Walker and Joshua Martin. Seated, from left: Chloe Dorsey, Hannah King, Josie Welch and Shalonda Stanley. In the photo at left, outgoing marshal Taylor Sullivan presents Josie Welch with her sash. The marshals alternate annually between orange and green sashes.
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GATORHAWK 41 By DAFFNE FERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ighth-grade East Columbus Junior-Senior High School math instructor Michele Johnson is a wife and the mother of two. She grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, attending high school at Schoolcraft High School. She first attended the University of Michigan and, later, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds bachelor’s degrees in education and art, and a master’s degree in education. She is also National Board Certified. She taught all fifth-grade subjects at Green Hope Elementary for 13 years. This is her second year teaching eighth grade at East. She said she decided to come to East because there is an on-going teacher shortage in Columbus County. The two things she likes best at East are how the administration makes it feel like home and how she is surrounded by supportive co-workers. The thing that disappoints her about the school is the amount of what she sees as, “Student apathy.” “It makes it very difficult to teach students when they aren't engaged in learning,” she said. What she would like to see improve at the school is more extracurricular activities and clubs to address diverse student interests. Johnson said the thing that works best in education is trust. She would like to see a ParentTeachers Association added at East because, “It is important for parents to be involved in the school community. “It will increase student achievement and school spirit,” she said, adding that she wants students to understand how education is their future and how it is necessary for the future of society. Johnson began teaching when her daughters were young and that led her into a new career path. She said she is happy with her career choice, because teaching has been rewarding for her. Another career she was considering was business administration. Other jobs she held before teaching included bartending, working for a bank, working at a law school at the University of Michigan and working in information technology (IT) at a plastics manufacturing company. Johnson said she thinks that students’ desire to learn and to understand how important and fortunate they are in achieving an education will help teachers in their classrooms. She said that less interference from elected politicians and more teacher input in how schools should run would help the education system. Johnson loves spending time at the beach and reading. She has one cat, one dog and hates cooking. Her role models include Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisolm, Bella Abzug and Margaret Thatcher. Johnson enjoys supportive environment at ECJSHS E
M By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer ariah Boyd is a 17-year-old resident of Farmers Union. The East Columbus Junior-Senior High School junior said the thing she likes best about East is, “How involved we can be as students.” Her least favorite thing is, “It isn’t as inclusive as how I wish it was.” Her favorite class is Math III Honors with Aileen Sejas. Her strongest subject is English and her weakest subject is, “Math, ironically.” Her favorite teacher is JROTC instructor First Sergeant James Alston. She said he plays an important role in a lot of students’ lives and a big role behind the scenes at the school. Her favorite activity at East is JROTC. “It's like a big family,” she said. Inez Beverly Prosser is one of Boyd’s many role models. “She’s the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in psychology,” she said. Boyd plans on becoming a licensed psychologist. The staff member who has helped her the most has been Alston. “He’s been more than an instructor, he has also been a father figure,” she said. Her accomplishments at East include serving on the homecoming court her sophomore and junior years and holding the position of command sergeant major in JROTC. Boyd also participates in dance and theatre. Her plans after high school are to attend Winston-Salem State University to obtain her psychology degree. A hidden talent she has is the ability to draw. People would be surprised to know that she is of Jamaican descent. She also wanted to add, “Love and light to everyone.” Boyd is fan of school’s JROTC
GATORHAWK 43 By FULLER ROYAL Gator Media Instructor “I like the staff members because they always try to keep a positive vide,” said Levi Zickafoose, 17. The Lake Waccamaw resident is a junior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. He said something that is sure to become one of his favorite memories of East was the pep rally where his class won first place in the Gator Games. His favorite course is Spanish. “I’m originally from a Spanish-speaking country and I’ve always wanted to learn Spanish,” he said. He said English is his weakest course. “It is so hard for me to focus when I’m not interested in what we read,” he said. Alina Freeman is his favorite teacher. “She always has our backs and is willing to help anyone if they need it,” he said. He is inspired by his father, who he calls “Pops.” He said his father is a, “Great husband to my mom and a great father and friend. He is also a man of Christ.” Zickafoose said classmate C.J. Waddell, who is his best friend, has been the most helpful at East. “He has helped me and has given me great advice since we were young,” he said. Zickafoose is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Beta Club. His favorite activity at East is weightlifting. “It’s like a getaway from the real world and a feeling of peace,” he said. Zickafoose likes to play football and baseball. He is a member of his church’s youth group and holds down a job at Dale’s Seafood at Lake Waccamaw. Before entering college, he wants to spend a week, “Somewhere that’s tropical.” Once in college, he wants to play football and major in biomedical engineering. He likes Alternative and Gospel music. Zickafoose to pursue biomedical track
Bland has 30 years of education experience to East Bland has been in the education field for nearly 30 years. He said that by age 18, he knew teaching was his calling. He enjoys the diverse student body and staff at East.
GATORHAWK 45 By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal Herman Bland is from Winnabow. He and his wife, Letonia, have four daughters and a son. Bland attended West Brunswick High School, graduating in 1999 after being raised in Newark, N.J. and Shallotte. Bland earned his education qualifications from Southeastern Community College, Mount Olive College of Wilmington, Grand Canyon University and Oarcher Webb University. He worked as a classroom a teacher before becoming one of East’s two assistant principals. Christian Godwin is the other. Bland has been in the education field for nearly 30 years. He said that by age 18, he realized that teaching was his calling. He was a teacher assistant at Waccamaw Elementary for 14 years, followed by seven years as a fifth-grade science teacher. He transferred to Town Creek Elementary School teaching fifth-grade science there as well. Bland came to East Columbus looking for a challenge. “I have worked with students of all ages and wanted the challenge of assisting high schoolers to realize their fullest potential,” he said. He enjoys the diverse student body and staff at East. “This affords a person the opportunity to learn, grow academically and professionally,” according to Bland, adding that there is always room for improvement. One thing Bland would like to see is the community coming together to overhaul the school’s courtyard Bland would like to see students and staff members honored each month as well as Gator and Hawk Pride days. His favorite subject to teach was science. “The labs were my absolute favorite,” he said. He worked at Wendy’s and Food Lion before becoming an educator. Bland would like for every student at East to know his or her true worth. He said he believes that working in education requires teachers to engage their students. Bland said education needs a supportive community, dedicated educators and students who desire to become scholars. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with family and watching movies. E Bland has 30 years of education experience to East
GATORHAWK 46 J By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer aydan Coleman plans on going to college. The 16-year old Council resident is a sophomore at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Coleman said he loves baseball at East because, “It’s a great program.” He considers math to be his favorite course. “I have a good, supportive teacher,” he said. He said he performs well in science, but not in English. Coleman said that while East Columbus has many teachers who he could choose as his favorite, he picked Math I and II teacher Diondre Graham. He said his biggest inspiration is his sister. “She supports me through everything,” he said. Coleman also thinks highly of senior Tyrese Simpson, who he said has helped him the most at East. “He gives good advice,” Coleman said. Coleman’s accomplishments include being on the Gators junior varsity basketball team. He said he enjoys playing baseball because the coach is good. Outside of school, Coleman involves himself with playing travel basketball and baseball. His aspirations include attending college after graduation. He hopes to earn a degree from East Carolina University or Fayetteville State University. He said the eyes emoji defines him. “I’m always going to surprise you,” Coleman said. He said that it might surprise folks that while he may often look mad, once they get to know him, they realize he’s a good guy. Coleman loves baseball
GATORHAWK 47 By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer irah Ward-Gorham, 14, is from Bolton. The eighth-grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School said it is her mother who inspires her because she’s just her mom, “She's herself.” Ward-Gorham used to play softball. She enjoys reading the 1948 Japanese novel No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. She loves binge watching South Park and The Princess and the Frog. Ward-Gorham enjoys making and eating quesadillas and being on Instagram. Her favorite football team is the Chiefs, and she likes to play GTA 5. The bird emoji best describes her because she’s, “The biggest bird.” Ward-Gorham said she is, “Deadly afraid,” of roaches because some of them fly and they’re, “Just creepy.” Something people would be surprised to learn is that she listens to music she doesn't understand. For example, her favorite song is Hasta La Muerte by Eslabón Armado. She said she really likes the hot wings at East Columbus because, “They’re good, spicy, and juicy.” Her favorite class is science, her strongest subject is reading and her weakest subject is math. Ebony Murchison is her favorite teacher because, “She’s very funny, social, teaches well and she understands her students.” Murchison has helped Ward-Gorham the most at East. After she graduates, she would like to attend college. She doesn’t know where, but it’s something she really wants to do. Ward-Gorham said she would like to study to become a traveling nurse, or a lawyer. She played for the middle school soccer team and she’s in the National Beta Club. Her favorite East Columbus activity is the basketball games because she enjoys watching the teams play. Ward-Gorham is college bound J
By DAFFNE HERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer eventeen-year-old Damian CruzPerez, has a knack for electronics, specifically computers. Born and raised in Southport, Cruz-Perez is a senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School where his favorite activity is repairing Chromebooks. He said he is excited every time he watches a newly repaired Chromebook boot up. The thing he likes best about East is being able to learn new things every day. His favorite courses at East are Dr. Anthony Martin’s computer technology classes. “They are all about computers and hands-on activities,” he said. His accomplishments include running a 5K race in jeans, building a working computer, fixing a car and being on the A+ Honor Roll. His favorite teacher is Martin. Cruz-Perez said he likes how he teaches. Cruz-Perez said his father is his role model. He inspires him to work hard for what he wants. His best subject is biology and his weakest is math. His favorite memories at East will include the time he has spent with his friends and the new people he has met. Cruz-Perez’s out-of-school activities include building things with Legos, woodworking and working on computers, cars and four-wheelers. He is still trying to decide what he wants to do after high school. He’s sure he would like to attend college for something computer- related. If not college, he is considering the military, and if that doesn’t pan out, he would enter the workforce. His favorite music group is the Weezers and his favorite games are Terraria and Minecraft. His favorite television shows are Criminal Minds and Breaking Bad. His top movies are Cars and Star Wars. He said the “Goofy” emoji with glasses best describes because he is “Very nerdy, silly and goofy.” What most people are surprised to learn about Cruz-Perez is that he is fluent in Spanish. He said he is scared of not being able to figure out what to do with his future … and spiders and snakes because they are, “Creepy.” S Cruz-Perez shows talents, gifts in computer technologies The thing Cruz-Perez likes best about East is the opportunity to learn something new every day. His favorite classes are the computer classes by Dr. Anthony Martin.
GATORHAWK 49 Cruz-Perez shows talents, gifts in computer technologies
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