By TRISTAN BELLAMY Gator Media Staff Writer elco resident Mack Freeman is a 14- year-old ninth grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. Freeman enjoys participating in sports because he’s athletic. He’s strong academically in history, but not quite in science. While Freeman dislikes science – he believes it’s too hard – his favorite course is automotive repair. “I like Mr. (Arthur) Moore,” he said of his favorite teacher. “He knows how to teach.” He said his mother is his biggest inspiration. “She always helps me do better,” he said. His favorite activity is baseball. He also plays football. Outside of school, Freeman spends most of his time relaxing or playing baseball. Upon graduation, he wants to play baseball collegiately and drive trucks. He considers the “shoulder shrug” as the emoji that best defines him because he doesn’t care. The biggest fear he has is drowning. His favorite genre of music is Rap. He enjoys watching Menace to Society. A television show Freeman likes watching is BoonDocks. Pizza is his favorite food, and he enjoys playing 2K and reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He enjoys spending time on TikTok and his favorite sports team is the Dallas Cowboys. D Freeman thinking baseball, trucks
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GATORHAWK 53 By ALEXANDRIA PATRICK Gator Media Staff Writer Riegelwood resident Aziyah Patrick is an 18-year-old senior at East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. She said the best thing about East is its support system. “Everyone looks out for each other and we are all like one big family,” she said. Her favorite memory of her time at East will be all of her senior nights. “They're very memorable and will always be cherished,” she said. Her favorite class is weightlifting. It always makes her test herself, test her own strengths, and she’s “at peace” when she’s lifting. Aziyah’s strongest subject is English. She loves to write. Her weakest subject is math. Her favorite teacher is Gator Media instructor Fuller Royal. “Everything is a learning experience and I make my writing skills better every day,” she said. “I have found a love for photography.” Her inspiration is her grandfather. “I know if he was here he would want me to be all I could be and chase my dreams,” she said. “So, that's what I'm doing.” The person who has helped her the most at East is guidance counselor Brittany Edwards. “Whether it was college classes, or applications or scholarships, she was there for guidance and a listening ear,” Patrick said. Patrick’s accomplishments include being in the National Beta Club in grades 8-11. Her favorite activity at East is playing volleyball, something she has participated in for four years. “The bond I created with my teammates this year was unmatched and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. Other activities at East included cheerleading in grades 9-11 and softball all four years. Outside of school, she maintains a business she started at the age of 15. After graduation, she wants to attend college to become a physical therapist, a marriage counselor or a child therapist. Her plans are to major in exercise and sports medicine with a minor in psychology. “I just want to be able to give back in some way,” she said. She said the “crying-laughing” emoji best describes her because, “I can make people laugh and I am always laughing.” People would be surprised to learn that she comes off as a shy person when they first meet her. She may “look mean” to some, but she is a funny, outgoing person. Her biggest fear is something happening to any of her siblings. She said her siblings are her world and if anything should happen to them she doesn’t know what she would do. To her classmates, she offered a final message: “Class of 2023 … We are almost done!” “I know if he was here he would want me to be all I could be and chase my dreams. So that’s what I am doing.” Aziyah Patrick, speaking of her grandfather Patrick looking for sports Medicine, psychology
GATORHAWK 54 By GATOR MEDIA STAFF ourteen-year-old Jean-David Waters is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The Buckhead resident said he likes making new friends at East and especially enjoys the fact that he lives close to the school. He said he enjoys math the best. “It’s the easiest,” he said, adding that science is actually his strongest subject. His favorite teacher is his English I instructor, Fuller Royal. “He takes the time to explain things to us,” Waters said. He said his weakest subject is Spanish. He said his mother is his role model. “She keeps me on track,” he said. “She takes care of us and provides for us.” Waters said that his basketball coach, staff member Austin Andrews, has been the greatest help to him since his arrival at East. “He coached me this basketball season,” Waters said. He said his greatest accomplishment so far is taking all honors classes. His favorite activity is, “Eating food in the cafeteria. I like food.” He also loves playing basketball at the school. Outside of school, he has had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the United States, visiting numerous state and national parks. “I have seen many of the wonders of the United States including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, the Grand Canyon, volcanoes in Hawaii and caverns in Carlsbad.” He has also seen rodeos in Texas, the Florida Everglades, Bryce Canyon in Utah, Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, the Appalachian Mountains and the Colorado Rockies. He has visited casinos and shows in Las Vegas and attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans. He has seen the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the Gulf of Mexico. “I have been able to explore these areas with my immediate family,” he said. “My family tends to be very close and we love to travel across the United States.” Waters was born in Utah. “I have lived in Mississippi, Texas, Wyoming and North Carolina,” he said. He said that after high school, he would love to move to Los Angeles, California and attend a four-year school, specifically the University of California at Los Angeles. He is also contemplating living in a foreign country for two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. “I want to be able to travel to different countries and experience the different cultures of the world,” he said. Waters favorite music is Rap. He loves the Disney-Pixar film Up and the Netflix series Cobra Kai. A fan of spaghetti, he enjoys TikTok and the Golden State Warriors. He said the airplane emoji best describes him because he loves to travel. He said people would be interested to learn than he has lived in at least seven states and has attended more than seven schools. His biggest fear? Sharks. “I know that if I’m in the water and I see a shark, I’m not going to live,” he said. F Waters is national traveler “I have been able to explore these areas with my immediate family. My family tends to be very close and we love to travel across the United States.” Jean-David Waters
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By DAFFNE FERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ustin Fernandez is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 15-year-old, from Whiteville, said the thing he likes best at East is hanging out with his cousins. His favorite subject is world history because it has, “Easy work.” His strongest subject is math and his weakest subject is English. Fernandez's favorite teacher is Coach Fred Pedro because he encourages Fernandez to “be strong.” His role models are his parents, he said, because they work hard for him to give him everything in his life. The person who has helped him most at East is freshman Camila Jauregui. She helps him with his school work when he needs it. His favorite activity at East is soccer because, he said, it clears his mind. Soccer is his favorite activity outside of school as well. He wants to work in landscaping after he graduates; he would love to run a company. His favorite music artist is Fuerza Regida and his favorite movie is The Fate of the Furious. His favorite television show is Family Guy. His favorite food is chicken wings and his favorite books are in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. His favorite app is Snapchat. His favorite team is Mexico and his favorite game is FIFA 23. The laughing emoji is what describes him best because he can always be found laughing. One thing that people would be surprised to learn about Fernandez is that he was born in Mexico. His biggest fear is small holes because they make him feel trapped. Fernandez wants landscape business D
GATORHAWK 57 910.770.1834
GATORHAWK 58 By ARIANA ALVAREZ Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School seventh-grader Mariah Carreon is a 12-year-old resident of Delco. She said she likes the cafeteria’s sweet teas the best because she is a fan. She said she dislikes how the seventhgraders lost the privilege to go to the bathroom by themselves. Her favorite class is history because the work is easy and it’s easy to understand as well. She said her strongest subject is history and her weakest subject is math. Her favorite teacher is Ebony Murchison because, “She makes learning easy and fun.” Someone who inspires Carreon is freshman Camila Jauregui because, “She’s smart, sweet and kind to everyone.” She says the person who has helped her the most is staffer Fred Pedro because, “He is very inspirational and is a good person to talk to.” Her favorite activity at school is soccer because it’s fun, competitive and gives her something to do. Another activity she likes is art. Outside-of-school, she likes playing with her dog and hanging out with friends. After she graduates she would like to attend college to become a veterinarian. Her favorite kind of music is Rhythm and Blues. Her favorite movie is Puss-n-Boots, her favorite show is Ginny and Georgia, she likes to eat Mexican and seafood, her favorite app is TikTok and she loves to play Roblox. The taco emoji she said best describes her because of her fondness for tacos. Something people would be surprised to learn about her is that she is sweet, kind and funny, but, “Looks mean.” Her biggest fear is of breaking her ankle. E Carreon wants to be a vet
GATORHAWK 59 The folks at Pizza Village invite you to enjoy their special brand of pizza as well as their other traditional menu items. It’s a menu that has been a Columbus County favorite for 41 years. 910.642.5812 • Whiteville PIZZA VILLAGE
GATORHAWK 60 Smith wants to own a business By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer yle Brandon Smith is a 16-year-old sophomore at East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. The Whiteville resident said the thing he likes best at East Columbus is his group of friends because, “They make the best of it.” He doesn’t have a favorite memory about East, yet. His favorite class is JROTC because, “It keeps me active and also deals with discipline and can show you a lot.” His strongest subject is biology and his weakest is math. Smith has two favorite teachers: Fuller Royal and Dr. Jennifer Smith. He said they are always there for him when he needs them and, “They're good people.” Smith said he doesn't really have any accomplishments but, his favorite activity at East is “huddle ups” in JROTC because of the food. Outside of school, Smith works at Hardee’s. He likes to go around town with his friends and play games. After graduation, Smith either wants to start his own business or attend college to gain experience for the things he wants to do. His favorite movies are Pacific Rim and Godzilla. His favorite television show is Mob Psycho Vinland Saga. The emoji that best describes Smith is the one with a face, but has a straight line as a mouth because, he said, “I’m bland and always bored.” His biggest fear is drowning. “The idea of water rushing through your lungs while panicking is scary,” he said. K
GATORHAWK 61 By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer ashawn Thomas, 16, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. A member of the East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Class of 2026, he enjoys the people at East. He finds it interesting just how different people and their personalities are. His favorite memory of East will be of his discovery of Swamp Chomp. He said it’s fun to be able to pick your own classes. English is his strongest subject and math is his weakest. His favorite course is art because he enjoys it and finds himself being good at it. His favorite teacher has to be Math I teacher Diondre Graham. He said Graham gives a good presentation. He said he’s understanding and the way he teaches makes math easy. Thomas said he feels accomplished that he’s managed to have good grades in all classes. He said Michael Webb has helped him the most at school. He said Webb is a good friend who helped him a lot when he first came to East. He said his favorite activity is staffer Fred Pedro's Swamp Chomp, which he said is fun and provides inspirational quotes. His other activities at school include art, drawing, and basketball. His out-of-school activities include drawing and video games. He also works at Panera Bread. After he graduates, he’d like to become a cartoon creator. He plans to attend an art school after high school. He likes listening to Rap music. The Incredibles and Ben 10 are his favorite things to watch on television. He loves eating spaghetti and reading Captain Underpants. He likes being on Snapchat and playing Minecraft. Thomas enjoys watching his favorite football team, the Jets. Losing friends would be his biggest fear because he doesn’t like being lonely. He thinks the smiling/melting emoji best describes him because on the outside he’s chill and on the inside he’s feeling sad. Something people would be surprised to learn about Thomas is he’s a good storyteller and is extremely creative. R Thomas wants art school
By DAFFNE FERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer rely Martinez is a sophomore at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 15-year-old said she likes her friends best at East because they bring joy to her every day at school. She really enjoys the soccer games at East because, “They’re fun.” Martinez’s favorite class is English II because of her teacher, Dr. Jennifer Smith. Her strongest subject is English, while her weakest subject is math. Smith is her favorite teacher. “She is nice and a good teacher,” Martinez said. The person who has helped her the most at East is guidance counselor Brittany Edwards. Martinez said Edwards helps her with what she thinks is best for her. Martinez’s favorite activity at East is Swamp Chomp. She said it provides a break from classes. Her hidden talent is being able to perform cartwheels. She said some people would be surprised to learn that she doesn’t know how to whistle. Hispanic music is her favorite genre. Her favorite movie series is The Fast & Furious. Martinez’s favorite television show is Shameless and her favorite book is The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. Instagram is her favorite app. The Dream Team is her favorite team. Freeze Tag is her favorite game. The sleeping emoji best describes her because she likes to sleep. Her role model is Itati Lopez because she gives out good advice to people on TikTok. Martinez enjoys Swamp Chomp A
By MADISON NORTHAM Gator Media Staff Writer aralyn Searles is a 15-year-old freshman at East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. The thing she likes most about East is its sports. “They are super fun and friendly,” she said. Her favorite thing to do at East is dance. Dance and theatre are her favorite classes. “They are very fun to do,” she said. Searles’ strongest subject is dance and her weakest is earth science. Her favorite teachers are dance/theatre instructor Sloan Deans and music instructor Anna Slaughter. “They are very nice and understanding,” she said. Someone who inspires Searles is Melanie Martinez, because she can be who she wants. Searles said teachers at East who have been big helps to her are Deans and Slaughter because, “They're always there for you when you need it.” Another activity Searles enjoys is soccer. After graduation, Searles wants to attend a college or university for four years. Her favorite book is The Breathless. Searles is fan of East dance A
GATORHAWK 64 By KELSIE WATTS Gator Media Guest Writer arli Godwin is a senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The Lake Waccamaw resident said she has several favorite things at East including her involvement with the student sections at sporting events. As a senior, Godwin took a role in helping pick the events’ themes. She keeps the students remain active as they support the teams during games. She is a member of the varsity softball team at East, working as the starting shortstop/third baseman for the Lady Gators. Godwin is ranked nationally as one of the top Class of 2023 recruits for softball. In the fall, she will attend Oklahoma State University to play softball. While there, she plans to pursue a degree in special education. This past year Godwin was given the opportunity to participate in what would become her favorite class, Teacher Cadets, taught by the Christina Jacobs. The class exposed her to, and helped fire her passion for, special education. Assisting her with the program was ECJSHS special education teacher Allison Edwards, who is also one of Godwin’s favorite teachers. Godwin said Edwards has been there to listen to and talk to her because of a trust and relationship built over the past few years. Godwin said Jason Nance is another of her favorite teachers at East. He is always pushing her to be, “The best player and person on and off the field.” Her role model is her father, Bruno Godwin, and her biggest inspiration is Judy Stallings, her grandmother, because of how, “Vivacious, resilient and kind she is.” Godwin is involved in numerous extracurricular activities, including an afterschool job at Whiteville Nutrition, working as a volunteer with the Special Needs Miracle League and coaching a travel softball team. She does all of this while maintaining a high GPA, which places her in the top 10 percent of her class. Country Music is her favorite music genre, NCIS is her favorite television show and Dirty Dancing is her favorite movie. And she loves steak. In her spare time, she enjoys reading Nicholas Sparks books. She has fun with Snapchat. Her favorite team is the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and she enjoys playing Uno. Godwin said the party face emoji best fits her because she is constantly having a good time. K Godwin to play softball, work with special students
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GATORHAWK 66 By CHRISTIAN GRAHAM Gator Media Staff Writer ast Columbus Junior-Senior High School senior Sara Akins is originally from Florida. The 17- year-old said she really likes the, “School spirit and positivity that floats around,” at East. Her favorite class is dance. “It’s an outlet when it’s stressful,” she said. History is her strongest subject and math is her weakest. Her favorite teacher is Sloan Deans. “She’s supportive no matter what,” Akins said. She said it’s her “Papa” who inspires her. She said he is strong and lets her family know they can persevere. Akins said Deans and nusic instructor Anna Slaughter are the staff members who have helped her the most. “Mrs. Sloan pushes me and Miss Slaughter is open to talk to,” she said. Akins accomplishments include her election to senior class secretary. Her favorite activity is band. “It’s fun to get creative with,” she said. Her other activities include cheering, student council and soccer. Her other hobbies include crocheting and reading. She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington for a four-year degree in psychology. She would like a career in clinical psychology. Her favorite music genres are Rhythm and Blues, and Gospel. Her favorite movie is Momma Mia. Her favorite television show is New Girl and her favorite food is chicken Alfredo. Her favorite book is Flicker in the Dark and her favorite app is Snapchat. She likes the Florida State Seminoles. The hug emoji best describes her. “It looks positive and happy,” she said. People would be surprised to learn that she is from Florida. Her biggest fear is passing away in a car accident. E Psychology is Akins’ goal
GATORHAWK 67 You Can Still View and/or Order Past Issues of GATORHAWK Magazine Visit www.gatorseast.com and click on Gator Media and then GatorHawk Magazine Back Editions of the Swamp Life Yearbook Can Also Be Ordered Visit www.treering.com. You will be asked for the name of the school.
GATORHAWK 68 By AZIYAH PATRICK Gator Media Staff Writer eginald “Reggie” Shufford II is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 15-year-old Riegelwood resident said the thing he likes the most about East is,“They are all a big family and the staff is very welcoming.” He said the thing he likes least about East is its size, and said, “It could be bigger.” His favorite class is math because he finds the subject fascinating. His strongest class is social studies and his weakest is English. His favorite teacher is Diondre Graham. Shufford likes the way he teaches and connects with his students. Shufford said his parents are his role models because, “They are educated, successful AfricanAmericans in today’s society.” He said Alina Freeman has helped him the most at school, guiding him with all aspects of school. Shufford is studious and ended his first semester with all-A’s. His favorite activities at East are volleyball and soccer. “They are fun and intriguing and I like to learn all the different types of techniques that go into playing the sports,” he said. Shufford also plays 18U boy volleyball in Wilmington. His favorite team is Texas. After graduation, Shufford plans to attend a university for a degree in architectural engineering. Shufford’s favorites include Rhythm and Blues music, Avatar 2 and Shameless. His favorite food is chicken Alfredo and his favorite app is Snapchat. Shufford said the eyes emoji best describes him because he is always investigating. His hidden talent is playing the piano. Shufford’s biggest fear is losing his sister because she is his, “Other half and best friend.” He thinks that the one thing about him that would surprise a lot of people is his positive outlook on life. Shufford wants engineering R
GATORHAWK 69 By SARA SESSIONS Gator Media Staff Writer ackenzi Clemmons is a freshman at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The resident of Hallsboro is 14 years old. At East, Clemmons said, “I enjoy the athletic program and hanging out with my friends.” The thing she likes the least about East is that she feels like she has to avoid certain parts of the school because of the middle schoolers. Her favorite subject is physical education because, “I get to talk with my friends.” Clemmons’ strongest subject is math and her weakest is English. Her favorite teacher is physical education instructor Jason Nance. She said he understands the students. Her mentors are Nance and instructors Alicia Pickett and Allison Edwards. She said they are always there when she needs them. Clemmons said that classmate Callie Jacobs has helped her most since arriving at East. “(She) has helped me through so much, I couldn’t ask for a better friend.” Her accomplishments include: membership in the Junior Beta Club in middle school, maintaining a spot on the Principal’s List throughout school, membership on the student council and in the FFA. She was also on the volleyball team this year. Her favorite activity at East is Swamp Chomp because she is able to pick the subjects/topics she wants. Her other activities include helping grow plants in the school’s greenhouse and mentoring middle school students for student council. Some of her out-of-school activities include attending Hallsboro Baptist Church, travel softball and shopping. After graduation, Clemmons plans to attend a four-year university and then medical school to pursue a career in pediatric surgery. She loves watermelon. Her favorite music is Country and her favorite app is Snapchat. Her favorite movie is The Black Phone, and her favorite television show is Grey’s Anatomy. She likes playing Monopoly. Her favorite team is the Atlanta Braves. Clemmons said the blushing, smiling face emoji best describes her because, “I am always smiling.” People might be surprised to learn that she is a pretty good skater. Her biggest fear is of frogs because of how far they can jump in one leap. Clemmons considering pediatric surgical field M
GATORHAWK 70 By DAFFNE FERNANDEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ory Singletary, East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s junior high counselor, is a husband and the father of three. Singletary grew up in an area known as “410.” He attended Fayetteville State University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in school counseling. Singletary came to East when the school was looking for a counselor. He likes East’s diverse student population. Having been in public service since he graduated from college, it has been his purpose to help people from different races and backgrounds. In the wake of Covid, Singletary has wanted to see an improvement in East’s scores. He would like to give all of the students an opportunity to receive math and science tutoring. He thinks that E-sports should be added at East because it would be an asset to students who play games on their electronics. He said he became a teacher not only to help students who are struggling with school, but also students who need help navigating through life. He Singletary is at East to help young people regardless of background C
GATORHAWK 71 wants them to succeed in whatever they want to do after high school. Before counseling, he considered becoming a secret service agent or a health and physical education teacher. Earlier in his career, he worked in maintenance and as a sheriff’s deputy. He said his more interesting job is being a school counselor, adding that he truly loves what he does. It gives him a chance to have a one-on-one talk with students and to understand them. Singletary wants the students to have a healthy and safe learning environment and to think of East as a place where they can succeed and grow, not only in school, but also in life. He believes that understanding where students come from and what their backgrounds are works best in education. It gives him a lot of insight on educating students. He thinks that education needs to look at why students in certain subgroups continue to underperform year after year and no one is seeing it as a problem. He said teachers need more funds to help them in the classroom. His hobbies and outside interests include running his own business, being with his family and fishing with his son. Singletary is at East to help young people regardless of background
GATORHAWK 72 Dance Festival East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s dance class members participated in the annual Columbus County Dance Festival in November. On this page, clockwise from top left: Sara Akins; Danica Kern; Layla Graham; Aniyah Bright, Aaleah Green, Jaliyah Brown; and Millie Bracey. Opposite page, top left: Karleigh Jones Center: Neidra Hines Top right: Jayanna Shaw Bottom photo, from left: Sarah Jacobs, Ryleigh Baldwin, Karleigh Jones, Aaliah Britt, Brynlee Freeman, Kylie Hardy, Layla Graham, Madelyn Dyson, Jamesa Whitted, Raylee Castillo, Destiny Wright, Jaliyah Brown and Chloe Batten
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GATORHAWK 74 Softball/Baseball Seasons in ‘Full Swing’ Left photo: East Columbus Junior-Senior High School softball player Ashajanae Lesane-Powell goes for a bunt. Right photo: ECJSHS varsity baseball pitcher Carter Watts fires one over home plate. Both are Class of 2023 seniors.
GATORHAWK 75 By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ndres Andrade is a 15-yearold eighth grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. He lives in Clarkton. The thing Andrade likes best at East is coming to school in the morning to see his friends and the people he loves. Most of Andrade’s favorite memories will come from playing sports at East. He and his teammates have had a lot of fun during their games. Andrade’s favorite class is gym. His strongest subject is math and weakest is ELA. His favorite teacher is Coach Justin Furlow. “I can talk to him and he also taught me a lot in soccer,” he said. Andrade’s biggest role model is his dad. “He always gives me advice and always tells me never say ‘you can’t’ because you can,” he said. He won best defensive player in soccer last year. One thing Andrade likes to do outside of school is arrange soccer scrimmages so he and his friends can hang out and play the game. After graduation, Andrade plans on attending college to earn his construction license. While Andrade is in college, he plans on playing soccer. His favorite type of music is Corridos. His favorite food is tortas and his favorite video game is Fifa. His favorite movies are in the Fast and Furious franchise. One hidden talent he has is playing the bass guitar and drums. One thing that people would find surprising to learn about Andrade is he likes learning how to play music. A Andrade to go into construction
GATORHAWK 76 By SERENITY SHUFFORD Gator Media Staff Writer allsboro native Junior Stewart is a junior at East Columbus JuniorSenior High School. He loves sports. His favorite things about East are the sports and some of the teachers there. His favorite class is history. He likes learning about past events, but his strongest class is English. He said he comprehends well. His weakest class is math. He said he, “Doesn’t really like it.” His favorite teacher is Fred Pedro. “He’s so motivational,” Stewart said. “Coach Pedro is my mentor, I think he's a great being.” Pedro has helped Stewart in and out of school. One of Stewart’s accomplishments is being ranked 10th in the state as a quarterback. His favorite activities in and out of school are sports. His favorite sports are football, baseball and basketball. Playing football in college and earning a degree are his future plans. His favorite music is Rap and his favorite movie is The Extraction. His favorite food is chicken, and favorite app is one containing the Holy Bible. Stewart says the “crying/laughing” emoji best describes him because he’s funny. He says one of his hidden talents is his ability to perform flips, something he said people would be surprised to learn. His biggest fear is drowning. He finds it scary. His favorite game is Assassin's Creed and his favorite team is the Washington Commanders. H Stewart wants to transfer athleticism to college
GATORHAWK 77 By RAEGAN HORRELL Gator Media Staff Writer eventeen-year-old Josiah Hewett wants to be a chemist. The senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School said the thing he likes best about East is that it’s a smaller school. He said a small school allows better, more personal relationships with teachers. Hewett’s favorite memories of East will be of its people. He said he enjoys most of the people he has met there, both staff and students. “I’ve met some lifelong friends here and there’s nothing I would ever trade for that,” he said. Hewett’s favorite class is chemistry because it’s the subject he is most interested in. His strongest subject is science, specifically chemistry, while his weakest subject is math. Hewett’s favorite teacher is Alicia Pickett. He said she’s always been “Cool” with him. Someone who has helped him a lot at East is guidance counselor Brittany Edwards. “She’s always been really helpful to me and is definitely one of the best support systems here,” he said. “She’s also funny.” Among his accomplishments is landing on the A/B Honor Roll. Hewett’s favorite activity at East is Swamp Chomp. He said it reliably gives him the flexible time to manage any sort of work that he may have missed and also to hang out with friends. Outside of school, he works at a cellphone store. After graduation, Hewett plans on enlisting in the military to pay for college. He wants to attend Brunswick Community College and then transfer to a four-year university for a degree in chemistry. Hewett’s favorite genres of music are Hard Rock and Rap. His favorite movie is The Green Mile and his favorite television show is Samurai Jack. His favorite book is Meditations, favorite app is YouTube and favorite game is chess. Hewett said the “laughing til’ crying” cat emoji best describes him. “I am quite the silly goose,” he said. A hidden talent he has is the ability to be a pretty good storyteller. He said he is good at keeping an audience engaged. Something that people would be surprised to learn about him is he is a huge Rap music history nerd. “I probably know too much about rap from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s,” he said. Hewett’s biggest fear is insignificance; failing to make a positive impact on the world. Hewett wants to be a chemist S
GATORHAWK 78 Swamp Life Senior Banners Since 2019, Gator Media has created eight large hall banners to promote each year’s Swamp Life yearbook. The banners include one male and one female from each of the four demographic groups at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The banners also represent the eight aspects of the school. The eight students, and what they represent are, top row, from left: Alex Benton, the arts; Christian Graham, school life; Justin Wellons, clubs; and Rachel McKoy, JROTC. Bottom row, from left: Andy Perez, academics; Harmony Somerville, athletics; Kevin Mitchell, Career-Technical Education; and Melissa Ruiz, community.
GATORHAWK 79 By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer ergio Jauregui, is a 14-year-old eighth-grader at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. At East, Jauregui likes his friends and the cafeteria’s sweet teas the best. He thinks his friends are funny and fun to be around, and he likes the teas because they’re sweet. He doesn’t like it that teachers have to take the middle school students to the bathroom. They can’t go by themselves because the students play too much. His strongest subject is science and his weakest is math. His favorite class was his social studies class from the first semester. He enjoyed it because his friends were in the class and the teacher, Ebony Murchison, made learning fun. Murchison is also Jauregui’s favorite teacher. “She’s cool and makes learning fun,” he said. “She was also very funny.” Kevin Rodriguez is a classmate who inspires him. “He has a good personality and is nice,” he said. Rodriguez and Chris Martinez have helped Jauregui the most at East. Jauregui played for the junior high soccer team. He enjoyed soccer because it tired him out. He also likes playing volleyball in the gym with his friends. After Jauregui graduates, he said he would like to attend college and become an international truck driver and a mechanic, working on 18-wheelers. He likes listening to Corridos Tumbados. He binge-watches all of the Fast and Furious movies and the show On My Block. He loves eating his mother’s tacos and being on Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok. His favorite football team is Mexico. He likes playing GTA 5. He said the helmet emoji best describes because of his haircut. Jauregui’s biggest fear is of dying because he likes living. Something people would be surprised to learn about Jauregui is that he’s not who most people think is. He said he’s caring, nice and funny. A lot of people already know he is funny. S Jauregui wants to drive trucks
By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer effrey Rudnick is East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s visual arts teacher, a role he has filled for the past four years. Rudnick is married with three school-aged children. He grew up around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended Butler Senior High School in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rudnick attended multiple colleges including Thiel College, Youngstown State University, Goddard College, and the University of the Cumberlands. He is a multiple degree holder: A bachelor’s degree in art and theatre, and master’s degrees in art and theatre, higher education administration, counseling, interdisciplinary art and K-12 visual arts. Rudnick previously taught at Columbus Charter School for three years. He said he came to East because, “I knew I could fix up lots of things in the arts department and school community.” The things Rudnick likes best about East are the students and staff. “We are all easy to get along with,” he said. Rudnick believes that East is on a good path, but could be on a better one if students did their part as well. He would like to see more arts opportunities that the students actually want, but can’t take because the classes are full, and students want more. Rudnick became an art teacher because of his desire to share his love of art. Prior to teaching in the public schools, Rudnick served as a college administrator and professor. He worked for UPS and for numerous restaurants as well. He is happy with his choice to teach because he does what he loves every day. Rudnick said he wants to give the best he can give to every student at East. He said the best education practice is getting to know the students and to work alongside them every day. Rudnick said the schools need more funding and flexibility and smaller class sizes. His hobbies include pottery, remodeling, art and making technology. J Rudnick overhauling, ramping up visual arts program at East “I knew I could fix up lots of things in the arts department and school community.” Jeffrey Rudnick
Rudnick overhauling, ramping up visual arts program at East
GATORHAWK 82 Track Meet East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s track and field team recently attended a meet at West Columbus High School. This page, top left: Serenity Shufford and Rylie Graham run their hearts out in a race. Top right: Maliyah Hines launches her shot put. Bottom left: Sacred Sutton hustles to the end of the line. Bottom right: Reggie Shufford pushes forward in his race. Opposite page, left photo: Joshua Jacobs waits for his turn with the discus. Right photo: Kinsley Wilson works through the fourth lap of her one-mile race.
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GATORHAWK 84 Text and Photos by LOGAN KENNEDY Gator Media Guest Writer Professional dancers from the Blackbox Dance Theatre spent a week working with East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s dance classes to create and learn choreography for a performance in front of an audience at Southeastern Dance Studio in Tabor City. The training was provided through a North Carolina Arts Fund grant applied for by Columbus County Schools Arts Coordinator Kelly Jones. East freshman Callie Jacobs said the event was fun. “It was experimental and involved more than just choreography,” she said. Classmate Kyleigh Patrick said she enjoyed the variety of people who were teaching the class. She also enjoyed learning new choreography. East Columbus dancers train with professionals This page: East dance instructor Sloan Deans assists guest instructor Julie Mulvhill in a choreographed piece. Opposite page, top left: Rylie Graham, Callie Jacobs and Ryleigh Baldwin Top right: Rylie Graham is lifted by the class. Center left: Working on the moves. Bottom left: Mulvhill, Baldwin and Jayonna Shaw Bottom right: Deans, Hayven Jacobs and Jade Bright
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GATORHAWK 86 This page: The class listens to choreography ideas. At right: Mariah Boyd, Rylie Graham and Ryleigh Baldwin Opposite page, top right: Kyleigh Patrick Bottom right: Practicing
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GATORHAWK 88 “One thing that can help teachers in classes is if kids can put their phones down … and genuinely engage in the classes.” Mariel Sellers
GATORHAWK 89 By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer ariel Sellers is East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s biology teacher. She has been teaching biology for the last 16 years, all of those years working at East. Sellers, who resides in the Chadbourn area with her husband and two children, attended Walter Williams High School in Burlington. Sellers earned a science education degree from North Carolina State University After college, she moved to Leland and landed the job at East. Sellers said she has enjoyed her time at there. “I like that the student body is relatively small,” she said. “I feel like I can get to know most of the students well.” Sellers said she would love to see more higher-level courses added to the school’s offerings. “I would like to see more advanced courses like AP courses for students who are motivated to work hard at the college level,” she said. Sellers’ decision to become a teacher was influenced by her high school biology and AP biology teacher, Ms. Haines. Before setting her sights on a teaching career, Sellers considered working as a graphic designer and as a clinical researcher. Prior to teaching, she worked at a Panera Bread Company restaurant, a tobacco research facility, a country club and a golf course. Sellers says she is happy with her choice of teaching. She said loves working with young people and every day is different for her. She said the best work in education is setting high expectations while being reasonably flexible. She also said that education needs more funding. “One thing that can help teachers in classes is if kids can put their phones down … and genuinely engage in the classes,” said Sellers. Sellers’ hobbies include cooking, shopping, listening to or watching true crime stories and reading fiction. Sellers is East veteran M
GATORHAWK 90 By AZIYAH PATRICK Gator Media Staff Writer lina Freeman, of Buckhead, is East Columbus Junior-Senior High School’s Title VI Indian Education teacher. Freeman is a 2013 graduate of East. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Western Carolina University. Freeman has a bachelor’s degree in event planning and a master’s degree in construction management. She has been teaching for two years at ECJSHS, but volunteered at the school for seven years prior to that. She said she came back to East because, “I love my high school. I grew up in this community and here at East we’re like a family.” She said the best part about East is, “The communities that it’s made of.” She said the thing she likes least at the school is the high turnover rate for teachers and administrators. “We don’t keep staff here long enough, which makes it difficult to build our programs,” she said. “It also makes it difficult for alumni to even have the desire to come back.” A few things that she would like to see done to improve East include accountability, championships, academic improvement, genuine relationships with staff and higher pay. “This is my home and there’s no place like home,” she said. She said she would also like to see afterschool pay for game duties, a hall-of-fame athletic wall and more custodians. “Our janitors are great, but it’s entirely too much with the addition of middle school.” She said she decided to teach after earning her master’s degree in construction. “I teach this because I am Native American and I’m a product of Indian Education,” she said.” She considered two other careers that were in the construction management field. One job she held before entering education was as a welder’s helper on a pipeline with her father. Something she wants for the students at East is, “A staff that supports them at all levels despite their demographics, not just support for the areas that benefit only their subject.” Freeman believes that every classroom should have an assistant. Her role model is Dr. Leslie Locklear, because, “Her vulnerability to show others her true personality and also being educated at the highest level is so admirable. She is the true definition of what you see is what you get. She has so much more about her that is admirable though.” One of Freeman’s activities is reading the Bible. “I enjoy being able to interpret the word and the true meanings of the Scriptures,” she said. Freeman is an avid photographer. She has her camera gear on-hand most days at school and is quick to capture special moments. Her work this year will be featured extensively in the 2023 Swamp Life yearbook. Already, images captured by Freeman have graced the pages of this magazine. Featured on the following pages are a selection of images Freeman created for several of the teams at ECJSHS. Freeman is advocate for East A Right page: East Staffer Alina Freeman caught the varsity Gator men’s basketball team players as they tried out their best “Michael Jordan moves.”
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GATORHAWK 93 Left: Freeman photographed the varsity Gator women’s basketball team looking through its primary target. Above: Malayah Hines dribbles forward.
GATORHAWK 94 Freeman captured this vintage, sepia-toned look for the varsity Gator softball team in its home dugout.
GATORHAWK 95 Another view by Freeman of the varsity Gator men’s team in a patriotic line-up.
GATORHAWK 96 By AZIYAH PATRICK Gator Media Staff Writer iondre Graham is an alumni of East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The Math I and Math II teacher grew up in East Arcadia and the Armour communities. He attended Winston-Salem State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, while pursuing his master’s degree in teaching from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Graham has been teaching at East for two years. He hasn’t taught anywhere else. He came to East when the opportunity came to him from a friend with a proposed job offer for a virtual facilitator. “I truly love the kids at East,” Graham said. “These kids are our future. So we have to take care of them so they can take care of us.” He said he wishes there were more things for students to do or to take advantage of. He said life skills courses could help East students prepare for the real world. He would love to see more Gator spirit and more diversity added to East. “There also are some things needed to improve East, such as, more beautification done to this school,” he said. “Being that we are in the era of technology we should have televisions throughout the school, more school spirit and activities.” “Honestly, I never thought I would be teaching, however, I always wanted to work with teenagers.” Graham said. “When I got the call to come and work at the school I was excited. The position I held at the time did not allow me to give my all, so when the math position became available, I applied and accepted the teaching role.” Graham said he teaches math because it was the only position open at the time and he wanted to prove that his strength was in the classroom. Graham had many career choices. He said he wanted to be a probation officer or a paralegal, based on his degree, but he had been into banking and customer service all of his working years before teaching. Some jobs he had before teaching included working for Verizon Wireless, Footlocker and BB&T. Graham said he is happy with his choice to be a teacher. “[You] best believe it’s not for the money, but for our kids’ future,” he said. Graham said, “Communication is key when it comes to working in the education field. Education does need more teachers who care for the kids more than for a paycheck, more young and motivated individuals with patience,” he said. Graham said, “Teachers need more support from the parents and technology in the classroom.” Graham said his role models include his grandfather, who was a custodian for more than 30 years with the Columbus County schools, his mother and his friends and family. His hobbies and outside interests include traveling, buying sneakers and watching his students play their selective sports. “It makes my heart smile when my students ask me to come to their games to support them,” he said. “I truly love the kids at East. These kids are our future. So we have to take care of them so they can take care of us.” Diondre Graham Graham returned to teach D
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GATORHAWK 98 By CAMILA JAUREGUI-DEL ANGEL Gator Media Staff Writer anely Martinez is a sophomore at East Columbus Junior-Senior High School. The 15-year-old said she likes her friends the most at school. They are fun to be around and they make her smile. Martinez doesn’t know what her favorite memory of East will be because she hasn’t finished high school. She said she doesn’t have a strong subject; she just does all of her work. Her weakest subjects are math and English. Her favorite course is biology because her friends are in that class. Her favorite teacher is Roleita McKoy. She said McKoy is nice and understanding and, “She makes her work very easy.” The people who mostly help Martinez at school are her friends. They do so by keeping her organized and making her happy. Art is her favorite activity because she likes playing with colors and, “Drawing her heart.” She doesn’t have a job or any hobbies outside of school. Martinez’s plans are to work and then attend college. She enjoys listening to all kinds of music except for Country. She said Country music just isn’t for her. She doesn’t have a favorite movie but she loves watching a Korean television series, The Uncanny Counter. She loves eating authentic Mexican food, more specifically tortas. Martinez said she doesn’t really read, but enjoys watching funny videos on Instagram. Heights are her biggest fear. Looking down from a high building makes her dizzy. Martinez wants work, college J
GATORHAWK 99 By MIGUEL ANDRADE DOMINGUEZ Gator Media Staff Writer aycee Holmes is a 16-year-old East Columbus Junior-Senior High School sophomore who lives in Hallsboro. Holmes said the best things about East Columbus are her friends and her math teacher Diondre Graham. He is her favorite teacher. “He actually cares and helps students make work 100 times easier,” she said. “He understands where people are coming from.” Her favorite class is math, which is also her strongest subject. Her weakest is English. Holmes said her role model is her mother. “She shows what a real working woman is,” said Holmes. She said that Graham had also been a big help to her. “He just gives the vibes that he cares,” she said. Holmes said that she has yet to decide on her plans after graduation, but she hopes to decide, “Sooner than later.” Holmes likes to listen to all types of music. Her favorite movie is Moana and her favorite television show is Outer Banks. Holmes’ favorite food is chicken Alfredo and her favorite phone app is TikTok. Holmes said the laughing emoji best describes her because she is always, “Giggly.” One of her biggest fears is falling in front of people at school. She said one thing people would be surprised about Holmes is that she likes to dance. She was part of East’s Disney’s Moana Jr. musical last spring. Holmes undecided on future J
GATORHAWK 100 Evening clouds Gator Media staffers Sara Sessions and Trinity Montgomery each caught a glimpse of the beauty of sunsets recently. Above: Sessions captured this image of a calm Lake Waccamaw as the sun was setting in the west. Right: Montgomery caught this image near her home as the dropping sun lit the sky and clouds, creating the silhouettes of trees and power poles.