GATORHAWK May 2022

in biology at UNCW

By SARA SESSIONS She would like to visit any place
that’s tropical because, “I love warm
Gator Media Staff weather and the beach.”

Graduating East Columbus Junior- She loves Friends, Country Music,
Senior High School senior Lilly Rogers, Chick-fil-A and reading.
is the daughter of Kim and Gray
Rogers. She has a twin sister, Macelyn Her favorite book is The Lucky One
Rogers, who is also a graduating senior by Nicholas Sparks.
at East.
She said her strengths include being
Rogers said the best thing about organized, determined and goal-
East is seeing her friends. oriented.

“I get to see them every day and I Her weaknesses include being an
always look forward to it,” she said. overthinker, a perfectionist and
indecisive.
Rogers looks up to her parents the
most because, “They are both such Something Rogers wishes she could
hard workers.” do over is her sophomore year because
of COVID.
Her favorite teachers are Mariel
Sellers and Brittany Edwards. She said the emoji that best
describes her would be the angel emoji.
“They always have the biggest
smiles on their faces.” Her favorite A student Rogers looks up to is
class is biology. Aubrey McDuffie.

Rogers’ accomplishments “She is very smart and has the
throughout her high school years biggest heart,” Rogers said.
include being on the Principal’s List,
being a junior marshal and being at the With a lottery win of $1,000,000, she
top of her class. would buy a beach house, give some to
her family and save the rest.
Her in-school activities include the
National Beta Club, the National Honor Rogers plans to attend the
Society, student council, tennis and University of North Carolina at
bowling. Wilmington in the fall.

She works after school at the Village “I have been accepted into the
Prescription Center at Lake honors college and I plan to major in
Waccamaw. biology,” she said. She wants to go into
something in the medical field because
She said she loves going to the lake she loves to help people.
and beach, and playing tennis inside
and outside of school. In 10 years she sees herself working
her dream job in medicine and having a
family.

Worn out

Rexishianugsjtuinngiodr aNyoaathEFalsotwCeorlsumanbdusgrJaudnuioartG-inSAgeTnOsieoRnrHioHArigWKhyKSlec5Bh2oaoinl.es make their way up the hall after an

Players cleaning up

East Columbus Junior-Senior High School baseball players
help clean up the field area after a recent practice. From left,
rising senior Kade Patrick, rising senior Jacob Freeman
and rising junior George Nance.
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Shutter Gator Grad

Graduating ECJSHS senior Thomas Green had never really picked
up a camera until this past semester at East. The band/theatre
student could be found with his older digital camera in hand at
school photographing classmates throughout each school day. His
photo skills really showed themselves on the spring break trip he
took to New York City. It was difficult to choose only three from the
scores of images he captured.

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Jacobs wants to
run a business

By JOSH MARTIN representing the Waccamaw Siouan Native
Americans.
Gator Media Staff
She is a member of the North Carolina
Rakyah Jacobs, daughter of Jennifer Native American Youth Organization.
Graham and Brent Jacobs, is a graduating
senior at East Columbus Junior-Senior High After high school, Jacobs plans to attend
School. the University of North Carolina at Pembroke
and work toward a degree in business.
A member of the National Honor Society
and the National Beta Club, she served this As a backup, she is thinking about
year as the school’s homecoming queen. becoming a civil engineer.

Jacobs is not just active in the classroom, Jacobs’ dream job is to own a business.
but also on the field. She participated on the She said that in 10 years, she sees herself
softball team, volleyball team and the varsity being successful in a field that she loves.
cheerleading squad. She said the thing she would like to see
change at East is “more pride in the students
Jacobs said that her favorite class is and more school spirit among the students
JROTC and her favorite teacher is 1st Sgt. and faculty.”
James Alston. She said she likes the diversity of East and
how everyone can be themselves.
“He's always there for me and treats Jacobs said her mother is her biggest role
everyone equally,” said Jacobs. model. “She always shows me that you never
give up,” she said.
Outside of school, she enjoys spending
some of her free time shopping.

She also participates in pow wows

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Check out the most recent News Reporter 954 Magazine for a
story about the Columbus County Arts Council.

The Columbus County Arts Council

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

ROCAME Winners

East Columbus Junior-Senior High School produced six winners in the recent Region O
Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering (ROCAME) Jamboree. They were
Zaria McKoy, bottom left, first place for high school level oratorical event; Jessica
Salmeron, bottom right, second place for high school level robotics; Azaria Mosley, bottom
center, third place for middle school mathematics event and first place for middle school free
expression event; Carlie Jacobs, top left, first place for middle school free expression event;
Braylon Waddell, top center, first place for middle school free expression event; and Trista
Robinson, top right, first place for middle school free expression event.

ROCAME

Faulkner wants to be a BASEBALLBUSINESS

By JOSH MARTIN

Gator Media Staff

East Columbus Junior-Senior High
School graduating senior Jermaine “JJ”

Faulkner, Jr. is the son of Yolanda and
Jermaine Faulkner, Sr.

The East Arcadia resident has been an
active student in athletics at East playing

football, baseball and basketball.
Faulkner plans to play baseball at
Southeastern Community College and,

later, transfer to a university.
Faulkner said his role model has been
his father, because, “He always supports me

and has my back.”
His favorite class is weightlifting and
his favorite teachers are Tara Williamson

and Alina Freeman.
He said something most people don’t
know about him is, “I truly care about the

students and faculty at the school.”
Faulkner's dream job is to be a CEO.

“I ain't here to take part,” he said,
“I'm here to take over!”

Faulkner said, if given the option, he
would not change anything he
has done as he has no regrets.

One place he said he would like to visit
some day is Egypt. He said he wants to see

the pyramids and all of the other great
feats that mankind created before the
technology of today.

In 10 years, Faulkner sees himself being
the CEO of a successful company or being

in the big leagues.
Some of his favorite things include of
Rap Music, the movie American Psycho, the
television show SpongeBob, SquarePants
and the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

BASKETBALL

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CEO

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Barrios
wants to
sell real

estate

By RAEGAN HORRELL Tyler the Creator, TikTok, the Jurassic Park
series and Pozole.
Gator Media Staff
His favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Sixteen year-old Pablo Barrios, son of and his favorite game is Clash Royale.
Mirna Armenta Lopez and Pablo Barrios
Lorenzo, is a rising junior at East Columbus An emoji that he said describes him best is
Junior-Senior High School. the Moai emoji.

He said the best thing about East is that he He said one of his strengths is “getting
can see his friends and the teachers who stuff done on time.”
actually care to teach.
Barrios said that math is his weakness.
Barrios said his favorite class is JROTC. Something that not many people know
“First Sergeant James Alston is one of the about Barrios is that he can crack his thumb
best teachers to rely on and help you,” he multiple times at once.
said. Barrios’ future plans include working in
real estate.
His favorite teachers are Alston and “I want to be creative with house
science teacher Martin Migue because, “They projects,” he said.
actually teach in a good way.” If Barrios won a $1,000,000 lottery, he
would invest it, just to have more money.
Barrios said he is good at science. If he could change one thing about East
While one of his in-school activities is Columbus, it would be the dress code.
JROTC, he said he doesn’t do much outside of One thing that Barrios wishes he could do
school aside from “taking care of pets and over is his freshman year.
stuff.” He wishes he could have tried more things
His favorite thing to do outside of school is and tried to work harder on his grades.
sleep. Barrios sees himself in 10 years living a
Barrios would like to visit Mexico some normal life.
day to visit his grandparents.
Some of Barrios’ favorite things include

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Robinson plans to use art
skills to design games

By GRACIE GAZAWAY

Gator Media Staff

Zaryia Robinson, 18, is a
graduating East Columbus
Junior-Senior High School
senior.

She lives in Hallsboro, and
shares a room with her pet
snake, Naomi.

She also has two cats, named
Boba and Tapioca, that love to
help her with the drawing and
the gaming that she engages in
outside of school.

In school, her favorite class is
art, as it is what she wants to
pursue as a career.

Her favorite teacher is Jeff
Rudnick, who is also her art
teacher.

“He makes class fun and
actively makes sure we
understand the material,” she
said.

Robinson is also active in her
journalism class, which she has
taken since freshman year with
her best friend, Ian Masters.

The two have bonded for
many years over things such as
Steven Universe and Pop Music,
which they both enjoy.

After high school, Robinson
wants to pursue a career in game
design.

She would also like to visit
Japan, as it is a hub for game
design and video game culture.

Her favorite video game is
Pokémon X.

In 10 years, she said she hopes
to see herself working hard at
her dream job.

“Games have always been
there to cheer me up and make
my day better, and I want to
share that cheer with others
through the games I create,” she
said.

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Kaylee
Mitchell
plans to
pursue
forensics

By ZARYIA ROBINSON
Gator Media Staff

East Columbus Junior-
Senior High School
graduating senior Kaylee
Mitchell plans to attend the
University of North Carolina
at Wilmington to major in
forensics.

The 17-year-old lives with
her parents, Faye and Preston
Mitchell, in Whiteville.

When she’s not working at
Food Lion, she’s active in
school clubs such as the
National Beta Club, the
National Honor Society and
Gator Media journalism.

She said the thing she
likes the most about East is
her teachers, especially her
favorite teacher, Alicia
Pickett.

Her role model is her
mom because, “she sees the
good in everyone.”

Some of her favorite
things include steak,
Snapchat, games like Uno and
reading books like The Secret
Life of Bees.

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Two really good films

By FULLER ROYAL Fast forward three years (including a

Gator Media Instructor one-year pandemic delay). Sequels are

rarely as good as the original, but the super

I never would have dreamed that John talented Krasinski pulls it off.

Krasinski (The Office) is as creative a writer The sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, spends

and director as he has turned out to be. the first 10 minutes showing how it all

I had heard of his film, A Quiet Place began with the initial invasion and then

(2018), and finally had a chance to see it quickly picks up where the first film ends.

during the pandemic. Thankfully, there is little gore in these

The story, quickly: Earth has been films, and I thank the director for that.

invaded by creatures with super-acute Instead of in-your-face Saw and Hostel

hearing and no sight at all. That’s how they gruesomeness, you are faced with nail-

locate their prey. Make one loud noise and biting scenes of terror.

within seconds one of them is on you. And Krasinski is particularly adept at

they are territorial. showing, simultaneously in real time, what

Krasinski’s decisions in sound, story is happening to our three main characters,

and visuals are stunning and draw you in each out on his or her own mission to help

immediately. You remain on edge the entire the group survive.

time because it is too easy for the Both films are rated PG-13 and are not

characters to make noise – drop a plate, for the young children. I highly

step on a nail and yell, or, in one wrenching recommend each. Make sure you watch

scene, accidentally activate a child’s toy them in order.

that features a loud battery-powered noise. GATORHAWK 66

Good Form

Rising East Columbus Junior-
Senior High School senior
Jackson Wagner works on his
drive during the 2022 golf
season.

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Robertson-Williams
looks to work as
traveling nurse

By RAEGAN HORRELL Pacific island northwest of Tahiti in

Gator Media Staff French Polynesia, because “it is a

beautiful place.”

East Columbus Junior-Senior Robertson-Williams will attend

High School graduating senior Rae- North Carolina Central University

Kia Robertson-Williams is the after high school.

daughter of Sherese Allen and is the Her favorite music includes R&B

older sister of Rayana Williams who and Hip Hop. Her favorite app is

is a rising senior at East. SnapChat.

The 18 year-old said the thing she Robertson-Williams said her

likes best about East is the teachers. favorite movie is Don’t Be A Menace

“They actually want the students and her favorite television show is The

to win,” she said. Simpsons.

Her favorite class is JROTC She said her favorite team is the

because there Baltimore

are a lot of Robertson-Williams said her Ravens.
opportunities Robertson-

and things to strengths include being Williams said
learn. the smiley
Sgt. Maj. brave, confident and joyful.
Andrew emoji best
Crockwell is She said her weakness is describes her
because she is

her favorite procrastination. always
teacher. smiling. She

“He keeps said she is a

it real,” Robertson-Williams said. “really nice person.”

Her role model is Reek Havoc Her dream job is to become a

because he teaches her how to “move traveling nurse.

smart.” If she won $1,000,000, Robertson-

One of her accomplishments is Williams said she would use it for her

that she has been on the AB Honor college tuition.

Roll since her freshman year. One thing she said she would

Robertson-Williams is a part of change about East is the dress code

the cheerleading team. She says she is because she wants to be able to wear

really good at cheering. something different.

She has also played soccer and Robertson-Williams said her

basketball, and is in JROTC. strengths include being brave,

Her out-of-school activities confident and joyful.

include working at McDonald’s and She said her weakness is

going to church. procrastination.

Her favorite thing to do out of Robertson-Williams says that she

school is hang out with friends. sees herself in 10 years as hard

Robertson-Williams would like to working to live a good life.

visit Bora Bora, which is a small

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Intersecting forces

An East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Hawk softball player slides under the
defending team’s catcher as she scores a run during a recent game.

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Carr-Graham wants to be
involved with surgeries

By HARMONY New Miracle
SOMERVILLE Pentecostal Church.

Gator Media Staff When she isn't out
watching Street
I’Naya Carr- Races or working, she
Graham is a spends time with her
graduating senior at family.
East Columbus
Junior-Senior High If she could visit
School, any place in the
world, it would be
The daughter of Germany because she
Ingrid Graham and wants to explore a
Perry Carr, Sr., she new atmosphere.
is from East
Arcadia. After high school
Carr-Graham plans
The things she to attend East
likes best about East Carolina University
are the relationships to major in either
that she has made biology or pre-med to
with the students become a surgical
and teachers. technician.

Carr-Graham's A few of her
favorite class is favorite things
JROTC because she include Rap Music
can be open and be and R&B, the movie
herself, and she gets Midnight Sun and the
good advice from television show All
the teachers who American, Chicken
teach the program, Alfredo, TikTok and
1st. Sgt. James the video game GTA.
Alston and Sgt. Maj. Andrew Crockwell, Carr-Graham’s dream job is become a
both of whom are Carr-Graham's favorite surgical technician because she has always
teachers, along with math instructor wanted to be in the front line of surgeries.
Brittany Edwards. If Carr-Graham should ever win
$1,000,000, she would use it to pay for college.
“They make school more enjoyable,” One student that Carr-Graham has
Carr-Graham said. looked up to is graduating senior Thaiz
Rodriguez. She said Rodriquez helped her
Her role models are her mother and her “When she was at her lowest.”
brother because, they keep her going and tell Carr-Graham’s sense of humor, and the
her to never give up. way she can pick up on bad vibes, are her
strengths.
She is proud to be in the National Beta In 10 years, she sees herself living in a
Club and to be the Queen of Sandy Field. nice house, starting her career and having a
family. If she could go back and repeat any
Something Carr-Graham is good at time in her life, it would be her sixth grade
is being there for others when they are in year because she said she made a lot of
need. mistakes.

In-school activities include basketball,
tennis, Beta Club and JROTC.

Carr-Graham enjoys shopping.
She works at Piggly Wiggly and attends

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PIZZA VILLAGE

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 40 years.

910.642.5812 • Whiteville

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‘Thank you’

The high school and middle school theatre, dance, choral, band and art classes at East
Columbus Junior-Senior High School recently presented the stage version of Walt
Disney’s Moana. The two performances over two nights (May 20 and 21) were well
attended and well-received by audience members. The production enjoyed new lighting
equipment, new stage curtains and new sound equipment (partially funded by a grant
two years ago from the Walt Disney Company.)

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Parade of Class of 2022 Seniors

The East Columbus Junior-Senior High School Senior Class of 2022 held its annual senior parade following
baccalaureate services in the chapel at the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina. The parade route began at
Dale’s Seafood and ended at Elizabeth Brinkley Park. Parents and well-wishers could be found along the
parade route.

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SENIORS

Dedicated Music Seniors

Five East Columbus Junior-Senior High School graduating seniors were recognized for their hard work
and dedication to the ECJSHS Band over the past four years. Clockwise, from top left: Monica Randall,
Thomas Green, Zaria McKoy, Alaina Spaulding and Morgan Leviner.

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Pizza and Cake Among Friends

East Columbus Junior-Senior High School graduating seniors relax after enjoying pizza and cake
provided by parents following the Class of 2022’s senior walk through the school. From left: Brian
Alsup, Kyle Baines, Markell Simmons, Thomas Green, William Akins and Joandy Martinez-
Reyes.

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Awards Night

Presented here is a sampling of
Class of 2022 students
receiving awards and honors
presented at the annual senior
scholarship and awards night at
East Columbus Junior-Senior
High School.



One Last Look …

Logan Kennedy waits on a reply from one of the technical students during a final rehearsal of East Columbus
Junior-Senior High School’s production of Walt Disney’s Moana. Kennedy and his crew recorded the entire
production.

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