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Biographical Submission from the Year the Award Was Won / Updated Biographical Submission

Pamela Plyler- 1988

• An honor student, an athlete, a musician and a prize-winning writer • Named in Who’s Who Among High School Students, she’s a member of the National Honor

Society, a Science Fair Winner and has school awards and honors in geometry, chemistry, history and English

• Has been Quiz Bowl captain three years and is founder and editor of the school literary magazine

• Ms. Plyler broke the sex barrier in sports where she has been a member of the men’s varsity golf team at West Brunswick High for four years

• She likes boating and water sports and completed the U.S. Power Squadron safe boating course

Valerie Bauerlein Jackson- 1989

• No. 1 in her senior class, a National Honor society member, Past President of the Junior Honor Society, National Presidential Scholars Nominee, N.C. Writing Award Regional Winner and State Finalist

• Recipient of a four-your leadership Scholarship to Duke University • Received a one-week scholarship to Union Carbide’s Washington Workshops Congressional

Seminar and was one of two from North Carolina to spend two months in Japan through the Japan-U.S. Senate Scholarship Program

• Organized a Newcomers Club at school to help new students to integrate into the school scene • As a member of Peers Encouraging Peers (PEP), she tutors during lunch and study hall twice

weekly

• Staff writer with The Wall Street Journal • Covers politics and economics and has written about topics ranging from the mortgage

meltdown to beauty pageants • She is a frequent guest on the Journal's TV and radio programs, has moderated gubernatorial

and congressional debates and covered the 2004, 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns • Graduated with honors from Duke University

Erin Chervenak- 1990

• 4.676 grade point average in a curriculum which includes academic placement and honor

courses and has won the Katherine Smith Reynolds Merit Scholarship at UNC Greensboro and is a finalist in 6 others

YWCA Lower Cape Fear Women of Achievement Past Recipients- Teen Leaders

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• Active in the National Honors Society, the Science Club, and was one of 300 in the nation chosen for the Congress- Bundestag Youth Exchange Program Scholarship

• In gymnastics she has won more than 35 individual events, qualified for state championship, and placed in state competitions

• For two summers she has been a counselor at East Carolina University Camp Rainbow for children with cancer

• An environmentalist, Erin campaigned against the gypsy moth and acid rain when she lived in up-state New York—now the loggerhead turtle, island wetlands, and pesticide pollution have her attention

Carla A. Gonzalez- 1991

• Grade point average of 4.705, ranks 4th in a class of 459 and has won several scholarships at

UNC-G, Duke, and Wake Forest • Secretary of National Honor Society, an officer in Civinettes, head of Human Relations of the

Student Council, and Captain of Hoggard’s award-winning Quiz Bowl Team • Member of the Order of the Vikings • Helped build an outdoor chapel at Trinity Center • A member of Thespians, she has been an actor, stage manager,1990-91 President , and 1990

recipient of the “Best Thespian” award

Melanie D. Alston- 1992

• Has been Freshman and Sophomore Class Presidents and Junior Class Representative • Student Life Editor of the yearbook and a member of the prestigious Quill and Scroll Society • As a junior she was inducted into the National Honor Society and the Order of the Viking • Has been important to the success of the Parent Involvement Committee and has served as

Student Representative to the New Hanover County School Hearing Board • An outstanding leader in Region O Council for the Advancement of Minorities in Engineering

(ROCAME), she was chosen its 1992 Student of the Year

Kate Temoney- 1993

• Ranks twelfth in a class of 344 and has a GPA of 4.338 • Selected as one of five students from New Hanover County to attend the Harvard Model

Congress in Boston and attended NC Girls’ State, a program for teen women with an interest and aptitude in politics and the legislative process

• Kate is Vice President of the National Honor Society, active in Student Government where she has been Treasurer and Chair of Publicity and a member of ROCAME

• Has been involved in Human Relations activities and helped celebrate Black History Month in February by reading great moments in Black History over the school public address system

• Two years ago she took part in the Youth Today Forum which met weekly and held teen panels, health fairs, and events at Thalian Hall

• Has earned three degrees: A BA from Wake Forest University (Religion and Psychology double

major); an MEd from the College of William & Mary (higher education administration); and an MA from Florida State University (Religion)

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• Is currently pursuing her fourth degree as a PhD candidate in Religion at Florida State University and has written two different chapters that are slated for publication in two edited volumes

• Has served as a New Hanover County Court Mediator; as the Coordinator for Commuter and Non-traditional Student Services, and later as an Assistant Dean of Students, at UNCW

• Has served as an On-Site Director for Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP) for several summers both in the United States and abroad

Maria Gonzalez- 1993

• GPA of 4.81 and ranks 7th in a class of 400 • Attended NC Governor’s School last summer in the area of Spanish • Has been active in Student Government as Sophomore Class Representative and Chairman of

the Human Relations Committee • Vice President of Order of the Viking, was chosen Miss John T. Hoggard, and has been elected

her church’s Youth Delegate to the Annual Diocesan convention the past two years • Community service includes volunteering with Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, the Soup

Kitchen, Special Olympics, Riverfest, the hospital Junior Auxiliary, Beach Sweep and Festival of Trees

Alison Batley- 1994

• She has been active in Student Council all four years; she headed this year’s successful

Homecoming Parade and was in charge of last year’s Junior-Senior Prom Theme and Decorations Committee

• National Honor Society member, serves on the Principal’s Advisory Board, and lettered two years in Cross Country and Track

• Elected to Order of the Vikings and maintains a 4.213 GPA • After significant work with the local Young Republicans group, she was one of 12 youth

delegates chosen from North Carolina to attend the Republican National Convention in Houston • Ms. Batley has been chosen as one of the 100 to be admitted to the School of Design at North

Carolina State University

Abigail Lowery- 1995

• Class President her freshman and sophomore years • Leadership positions include Wildlife Club Treasurer, Juniorette Secretary and Education

Department Chair, French Club President and Student Council Vice President • Participates in Math Club, Art Club, SADD, FTA, FBLA, National Honor Society and the Varsity

Track Team • Volunteers with the Help Mission, Special Olympics, tutoring, Adopt-a-Highway, Operation Big

Sweep and a nursing home • At 14, she completed the annual five mile Labor Day swim across Lake Waccamaw—as the first

girl in her age group to complete this swim, she received the Lee J. Greer Award

• Account Manager for a small specialty pharmaceutical company in Montgomery, Alabama • Has been in the pharmaceutical industry for the past 11 years working both as a sales

representative and as a sales trainer

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• Currently represents two products for rare forms of epilepsy • Works with the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, Common Ground ministries, the local

March of Dimes chapter, a local pregnancy crisis center and with two organizations devoted to raising awareness of and bringing an end to human trafficking

• Works very closely with the AL chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation to help organize and execute various advocacy events around the state

Julie Rose Simmons- 1996

• In addition to advanced placement courses, she has already completed five courses at UNCW, is

a nominee for a Morehead Scholarship and commended as a National Merit student • On the athletic field she played interscholastic tennis and soccer for four years and was named

Most Valuable Player in tennis for three of those years • Involvement in the community as a volunteer includes over 150 hours at New Hanover Regional

Medical Center, tutors at the Crossroad Program and cooking dinners at the soup kitchen • Recognizing her exceptional abilities she was honored with the James B. Hunt Young Citizen

Award, the only person in New Hanover County to be so honored • Was involved in the drafting of the mission statement for the Strategic Planning Committee for

the New Hanover County Schools

Jennifer Anne Holston- 1996

• Serves as Vice-President of one of the largest and most active student government organizations in the state

• Selected to attend the North Carolina Association of Student Councils Seminar at Mars Hill and represents her school on the New Hanover County Board of Education

• Has worked on projects with Lions Clubs since she was five years old • Recently selected as the Outstanding Teenager of the Year by the North Carolina Jaycees • Out of over 425 seniors, she was chosen for the DAR Good Citizenship Award

Leslie Collins Hedge- 1997

• Starting out as a sports reporter for the yearbook in the 10th grade, she progressed to sports

editor the next year and in her senior year is Editor-in-Chief • A member of the student government all four years, she was chosen as a delegate to the Mars

Hill Leadership Workshop • Using the leadership skills honed there, she encouraged the Student Council to adopt a goal

which dealt with decreasing discrimination and implemented an activity that would bring more diversified students to Student Council meetings

• Coached the school’s Special Olympics basketball team, tutors in the Crossroads program, is a member of the Beta Club and participated in a church medical mission trip to Haiti

• Inducted into the Order of the Vikings and was a Morehead finalist

Jessica L. Triche- 1997 ..

• Having no real form of student government at her high school, Jessica served as President both her junior and senior years and led the group to a new plateau

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• The group now assumes responsibility for running elections, preparing for homecoming and organizing fundraisers

• Because of her untiring efforts, $1000 has been raised for student scholarships • She is a member of the Math Team, Math Club, National Honor Society, a candidate for the

Morehead Scholarship and recipient of the Pender County Black Focus Committee Academic Achievement Award

• While participating in basketball, softball and track, Jessica has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career

Jennifer Formyduval- 1997

• A member of Future Business Leaders of America since the 9th grade, she has served as

Historian, Vice-President and Chair of the Community Service Committee • Awarded NCBEA Outstanding Student Service Award • Has been actively involved in “Celebrate the Arts,” Agricultural Fairs and the Junior Women’s

Club art shows • Received the National Science Merit Award and the International Foreign Language Award • A member of the National Honor Society, she was a Morehead Scholarship nominee and

attended the Governor’s School in art

Amanda Davis- 1998

• Has worked on the yearbook and newspaper staff as Business Manager, Co-Editor and Copy Editor, the latter being two of the highest leadership positions for students at Whiteville High School

• Created a successful advertising campaign for Future Business Leaders of America’s sponsorship of Office Day

• Has participated in the Spanish Club, the Junior/Senior Prom Steering Committee, National Honor Society, the Math Club and varsity track and field

• She was selected to be a member of the Whiteville High Quiz Bowl Team who won the county competition

• She volunteers with the Columbus County Literacy Council, Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Harvest Day, March of Dimes, Association for Retarded Citizens, Habitat for Humanity, Big Sweep, Families First Domestic Violence Shelter and the American Cancer Society

Leigh E. Milligan- 1998

• Plans to attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall • Senior Class Secretary which gives her the lifetime responsibility of coordinating “Class of 1998”

reunions • Member and officer of Students Against Destructive Decisions, Spanish Club, Students Against

Violence Everywhere, National Honor Society, Drama Club, Band, Student Government and Bible Club

• Captain of the varsity tennis team for two years and is #1 seed, Captain of the West Brunswick Dance Team and a member of Steps Ahead Dance Troupe

• Serving as a Peer Mediator has been one of her most rewarding responsibilities

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Allison J. Rivenbark- 1998

• Captain of the Cheerleading Team her junior and senior years, Vice President of Student Council her senior year, Editor of the school newspaper her junior year and Editor of the yearbook her senior year

• Selected for the Presidential Classroom Scholars Program • Developed the concept of STOPP, Students Teaching Others Positive Perceptions • Community involvement includes volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House, Pender Pop

Warner, Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief Fund, Domestic Violence Shelter, Homeless Shelter, Pender Memorial Hospital and the March of Dimes

• Church activities include serving as a youth speaker, Youth President, Youth Secretary, Sunday School teacher assistant, youth choir and band, Vacation Bible School assistant, and sound technician and actor in various church plays and drama productions

Nina Brown- 1998

• Weighted GPA of 4.286 • Reporter and business manager for the monthly school newspaper • Member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club, secretary of ROCAME—a business

club for minorities • Active member in the YMCA “Black Achievers” program • Junior leader for Girls Incorporated

Sarah Seehorn- 1999

• President and Regional Vice-President of Future Business Leaders of America • First Place Honors and Best in Show in various community Art Festivals • National Merit Letter of Commendation • Ranked first in class

Elizabeth Titrington Craft- 1999

• Number one academic ranking in junior class • Appointed by the Bishop to the Youth Commission for the Diocese of Eastern Carolina • Duke University Talent Identification Award • Nominated as a National Scholar representing North Carolina at the National Young Leaders

Conference

• After college, she spent a year working as a consultant, got an MA degree from the University of Maryland College Park, and is now completing her PhD in historical musicology at Harvard University

• Dissertation examines the Americanization of immigrants as a defining theme in musical theater • Her recent publications include a New York Public Library blog post on George M. Cohan’s

musical Little Johnny Jones, an article on the marketing of the musical In the Heights, and a co-authored article about music pedagogue Nadia Boulanger and her American composition students

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• Ms. Titrington’s research is currently supported by a Natterson and Horowitz Dissertation Fellowship, and her teaching has been recognized with a Shafer Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Harvard music department

• She continues to love to perform, and recently concluded a two-year stint directing Harvard’s graduate student choir

LaToya White- 1999

• President of Beta Club • Captain of Cheerleading • President of ROCAME- a group that encourages minorities to pursue careers in math and science

related fields • President of Health Occupations Students of America • Certified Nurses Assistant

Christina Bibby- 1999

• Founder and President of Pender High School Mentoring Program • Only Pender County student chosen to participate in WEB Academy- a teaching and learning

environment constructed in software • Developed neighborhood home study tutoring program on Saturdays • Class rank in top ten

Ashley Jones- 2000

• As President of the Senior Class at Pender High School, she organized the largest class trip in the

school’s history • Helping to develop the graduation ceremony to include more student involvement • Held the office of President her junior year and chaired the Prom Committee, organizing many

fundraisers which earned $1,500 • Captain of the girls basketball team for two consecutive years • Vice-President and President of ROCAME (a group that encourages minorities to pursue careers

in math and science related fields)

Paige Strickland-Smith- 2000

• Selected as the outstanding student from Columbus County for the NC Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service

• One of 35 students in NC accepted into the NC Nursing Exploration Program at Chapel Hill • As an active member of her church, she is involved with Acteens, the Youth Choir, and heads the

Sunday School Outreach Ministry • Volunteers for health advocacy groups such as the American Cancer Society, the American

Health Association, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

• South Columbus High graduating class of 2000 • Campbell University, Doctorate Pharmacy, Masters Clinical Research • Pharmacist with Medical Park Pharmacies, Morehead City, NC

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• Volunteers at Medical Clinic for low income patients weekly • Works with Hospice Patients on administering drugs

Cammie Thompson Morris- 2000

• Has served as Key Club Treasurer and President • Assists with Preschool Story Hour at the public library • Active in athletics as Junior Varsity Co-Captain and Varsity Captain as well as soccer captain • Has held the office of Vice-President and President of Students Against Violence Everywhere

(SAVE)

• Used the scholarship to complete a BA degree with a double major in Chemistry and Biology at UNC-CH in 2004

• Continued her education at UNC-CH at the School of Dentistry and graduated with a DDS degree in 2008

• Ms. Thompson currently owns a dental practice that she opened in May of 2011

Meredith Swain- 2000

• Founded a community service organization that has led over 300 youth volunteers in completing thirty-five projects in just a two year period

• Started a yearlong community and school collection campaign and each month one organization was spotlighted as “Organization of the Month”

• Began a Holiday Decorations and Treat Program which has provided goodies and treats to people who are unable to be in their own home during the holiday

• Organized four workdays where students stamped “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” on 6,000 bags distributed through the ABC stores over Labor Day

• The knowledge and experience she gained as the Founder and President of the Pro-Active

League of Service or "PALS," the community service organization she created at age 14, allowed her the opportunity to provide leadership and service opportunities for teens and young adults in counties throughout North Carolina and beyond for over 10 years

• Meredith attended Wake Forest University as a Presidential Scholar in Leadership and Community Service, graduating with majors in both Political Science and Psychology

• While at Wake, Meredith held leadership positions in numerous community outreach programs including Chair of Phi Mu Sorority's Philanthropy Committee

• While at Wake she also worked on Presidential campaigns and interned under Senator Hillary Clinton in Washington, DC

• Recently received her Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from the nationally esteemed University of St. Augustine and has returned to Wilmington to work as a manual therapist

Amanda Andrews- 2001

• Reporter, NC Advisory Board, and executive council for Students Against Destructive Decisions • As junior and senior class treasurer, she helped plan and organize Operation Graduation, a drug

free graduation party

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• Ranks in the top ten percent of her class with a weighted GPA over 4.5 and a class rank of 4 out of 175

• Was a sophomore editor of the West Brunswick High School yearbook titled Trojani

Angela Hewett- 2001

• As President of the National Honor Society, she led them in raising over $300 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

• Held offices of Secretary and Treasurer of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) for two years

• Schools top fund raiser for the March of Dimes Walk America • Chamber of Commerce weekly volunteer

• After graduating as valedictorian of South Columbus High School, the YWCA scholarship was

paired with the NC Teaching Fellows scholarship making it possible for Ms. Hewett to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education with a K-12 Certification

• Hired by New Hanover County Schools following graduation and continues to teach at Eugene Ashley High School

• Has since added the AP Studio Art program to Ashley High School’s curriculum and earned National Board Certification

• Serves our community through College Acres Baptist Church

Maribel Gomez Cruz- 2001

• Has received various awards including: Civics, Art, Spanish, Student Council, and an All American Scholar

• Founder of Aim (Action, Inspiration, Motivation) Club, targeted at Hispanic students in the community

• As a student representative on the School Improvement Team, she is the chief liaison between the student body and faculty

• Serves as a role model for other young parents in the east coast Migrant Head Start Program

Nephitearya Bailey- 2001

• As a peer mediator and peer helper, she resolves disputes peacefully between students at New Hanover High School

• Recommended and accepted as a participant in the Teen Leadership Experience, which provides training in areas such as leadership and conflict resolution

• Appointed to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council by the New Hanover Board of County Commissioners

• 2001 Human Relations Month Student of the Year Award

Jean Koff- 2002

• President of Women in Science, a club that encourages girls who have achieved in their science classes to pursue careers in science fields

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• Currently serves as Editor of the school yearbook, which has earned state honors all three years she has been on staff

• Vice-President of the Nationalist Party at Tarheel Girls State • Only female from eastern North Carolina to compete on the National Chemistry Exam and the

only female Merit Finalist from New Hanover County

Kristen Ward- 2002

• Initiated a bible study at the Governors School East, which was named the East Christian Assembly

• As President of the National Honors Society, she presides over the largest club in her school with 144 members

• Selected by the local rotary club to attend the State Rotary Youth Leadership Association • As a volunteer with the Brunswick County Teen Court Program, District Attorney Rex Gore

stated that she is "One of the best defense attorneys"

• Graduated from Duke University in 2006 • Previously, she worked as Associate Director of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan

College and Director of Development for the American Red Cross • Currently works as the Director of Development for the new East Carolina University School of

Dental Medicine in Greenville, NC • Kristen enjoys serving as a regional chair for the Duke Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee • Volunteers with Junior Women's Association and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference

Esther Houseman- 2002

• First chair flute in the all-county band, senior drum major and received the Superior Drum Major

Award • Ran and encouraged teammates to run in an unplanned 4x2 relay at the regional track meet,

qualifying them for the state meet and was a successful recruiter for the 2002 track team • Ranked first in a class of 148 and has a GPA over 4.5 • Has volunteered with a local retirement home, Relay For Life and currently works at Trinity

Baptist Daycare

Jada Keith- 2002

• Initiated a weekly activity program at her church, which has improved grades of many participants

• Lobbied to change the 3rd Sunday worship service of each month to be a youth day, with students serving as ushers, singing and delivering prayer and scripture

• As President of her senior class, she addresses the student body on the importance of safety, specifically dealing with bomb threats

• Only youth member on the Pender County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council

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Meredith Gaiser- 2003

• As President of the United Methodist Youth Foundation, she coordinates “Spirit Café,” a youth service featuring speakers

• As Vice President of the Key Club her junior year and President in her senior year, she has led multiple service projects

• State Vice President of Parliamentary Law of North Carolina Family Career and Community Leaders of America

• Worked diligently enlisting the help of faculty and students to develop a tennis team and tennis facility

Erin Steinberg- 2003

• President of the Whiteville High School Spanish Club • The only student to serve as Whiteville Human Relations Commission Secretary and is a charter

member • Organized a leadership training convention for the North Carolina Council B'nai B'rith Youth

Organization • Served as Reporter and Secretary for the Whiteville Juniorettes Community Service Club

Sandy Pham- 2003

• Student Counselor and Teacher Aid for rising 6th-8th graders at the Summer Geographic Program • President/Captain of the Science Olympiad during her junior and senior years and helped her

team get to state level competition • As President and Concertmaster of the Orchestra her junior and senior years, her experience has

been invaluable in a new orchestra program • Helped lead the Ashley High School Quiz Bowl team to 2nd place for two consecutive years and

served as Captain

Katie Almirall- 2003

• As President of the South Brunswick Technology Club, she led the club to win the most awards at national competition

• Has held three positions in the local chapter of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization • Joined the Methodist Youth Group to come to a better understanding of the religion and taught

Hebrew in a creative manner • Selected to attend the Catalyst Conference at UNC-Chapel Hill to explore how to be a catalyst

for positive change in the community

Allyson Leigh Gaiser- 2004

• Worked as President of the International Club to help migrant Hispanic population and obtained a grant to provide children with the joy of Christmas

• Organized a food drive that collected over 1200 items to donate to the local food bank while Key Club President

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• As Attorney General and Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Student Body, implemented another food drive to replenish Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard

• While Junior Leader of Young Life she participated in the Eleuthran Mission to the Bahamas • Actively participated in many service projects as a member of National Honor Society,

Wilmington Juniorettes, Family Career and Community Leader of America, Teen Court, Spanish Club and Wesleyan Chapel

Kelly Kronenwetter- 2004

• While elected one of 33 Lt. Governors in North and South Carolina her duties included training

officers and acting as liaison between state and international boards • Rotary Youth Leadership Award winner in 2003, speaker at the NC Economic Development

Board Meeting and member of the Key Club Board of Directors • Started the volunteer program for Key Club at Southport Ocean View Nursing Home that is now

in its third year • As President of the Interact Club, she established a service project to aid Brunswick Family

Assistance by raising money to buy food, started the Adopt-A-Highway locally, and continued pen-pal program with Interact Club in Bolivia, South America

• Belongs to the National Honor Society, won coaches award for Women’s Varsity Tennis, won National Title in Structural Challenge for Technology Student Association, is Park Scholar Nominee for NCSU 2004, and has been recognized by Governor Hunt for “Technology”

Brittney Rae Smith- 2004

• HOSA Veterinary Assisting Competitor and involved with the Paws for Pals Animal Rescue

Center, the South Columbus Animal Hospital and the Humane Society • Displays academic as well as leadership skills as a National Youth Leadership Conference

Nominee and member of the National Honor Society • Volunteers as a tutor and at a local nursing home, where she has spent time helping residents

with daily activities • Black History Team Captain, Member of AIG, North Carolina Scholar, Morehead and NC Parks

Scholar Nominee • Involved with Write Out Cancer, Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser and Whiteville Optimist Outstanding

Youth.

Sarah Brumbaugh- 2004

• Actively involved in 4-H, including acting as camp counselor and mentor to 5-12 year olds from varied backgrounds in a diverse curriculum

• Volunteer for Ability Garden and New Hanover County Arboretum—she chose Horticulture Therapy for her senior project topic

• President of the International Youth Club at Hoggard, helping to promote diversity and eliminate bigotry and racism

• Involved in Girl Scouts since kindergarten and having achieved her Silver Award two years ago, she is currently planning her Gold Award project

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• Selected as a Park Scholar and as a Centennial Scholar at North Carolina State University and based on outstanding performance in Junior ROTC, has been accepted at the United States Naval Academy

Mallory Agee- 2005

• Ranked three in a class of 141, she has been on the honor roll all four years of high school and is

a member of the National Honor Society • Did peer tutoring at Leland Middle School, received the DAR Good Citizen Award, was class Vice

President for two years, and attended the Congressional District Youth Summit • Active in sports, she is Co-Captain of the volleyball team and plays varsity tennis • Went on mission trips to New Hampshire, Georgia and Wilmington and has taught Vacation

Bible School • Her Senior Project was a food drive where 850 pounds of food was collected for Brunswick

Family Assistance. She has also worked in Homeless Kitchen for four years

• After receiving the teen leader award, Ms. Mitchell moved to Greenville to complete a degree in elementary education as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow

• Worked in Pender County Schools as an ESL teacher and instructional coach • Currently, she is one semester away from finishing her master's degree in school administration

so that she can work as an Assistant Principal

Maya Salwen- 2005

• As the domestic affairs columnist for the youth she started the online periodical, The Youth Review

• Scored 4 or 5 on all ten of the AP tests that she took, is a Science Olympiad Medalist, Optimist Oratorical Contest winner, National Honor Society member and a Morehead Scholarship semi-finalist

• UNCW Wind Ensemble member for five years and one of the first members of the Youth Symphony Orchestra, she also plays with the Wilmington Symphony as a third clarinetist

• Active in B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, she holds the Leadership Chair and as Mind, Body, and Attitude Chair works closely with the State Sisterhood Chair to ensure a bond among female members

• Active in technical theater and won Best Costumes and Make-up, and Best Props at a state competition last year—she designs, builds and paints the sets for drama productions

Elizabeth Whalen- 2005

• Serves as Spanish Club’s accountant and tutors Hispanic elementary school children who have

English as their second language • She is a third grade Sunday School teacher and through her church has helped to feed the

homeless in Wilmington and worked with Samaritan’s Purse • During her tenure last year as President of HOSA, she and her leadership team provided many

community service options for members and doubled the number of students attending regional and state conferences

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• Attended Governor’s School, Summer Ventures in Science and Math, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program, Moose Youth Awareness Conference, the NC State University SATELLITE Program, UNC-Chapel Hill Catalyst program and the Seventh Congressional District Youth Summit

• In addition to athletic participation on the varsity basketball team and the YWCA Swim Team, she is a North Carolina Scholar, was awarded a Presidential Award for Academic Excellence, is a member of the National Honor Society and has been given honors in HOSA regional and state competitions

Harriet C. Worley- 2005

• The first South Columbus High School female to score over 1400 on her SAT, she has spent over

52 hours as a SE Community College Upward Bound tutor serving as math tutor for student-athletes and a hearing-disabled student

• As a writer for Student Ink for Columbus County’s News Reporter, she is part of the first team of students to contribute articles

• Vice President of National Honor Society, was nominated for Principal’s Leadership Award, attended National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC and North Carolina Seventh Congressional District Youth Summit and is a recipient of Kodak Young Leaders Award

• A piano student of ten years with a Superior Rating in National Federation Piano Competition, awarded 45 point Gold Cup, she volunteers at Covenant Towers Retirement Home to entertain residents with piano music

• She won Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6064 essay contest and placed second in Optimist Club essay contest

Janeen Latrese Freeman- 2006

• Member of Project Uplift at UNC Chapel Hill • Nominated for the National Youth Leadership Forum on Law and Congressional Student

Leadership Conference for 2004 • Youth Tutor and Upward Bound Tutor at Southeastern Community College • Ms. Freemen was a Junior Marshall in 2005 and a member of National BETA Club • Active in her church, a member of Usher Board, Youth Ministry, Sunday School, and Bible Study.

Ranked fifth in her graduating class, she is in National Honor Society and has received Campbell University Presidential Scholarship and the Johnson and Wales Scholarship

• Enrolled and attended UNC-Charlotte where she studied Business Accounting for two years then

changed her major to Nursing • She then returned to Wilmington, North Carolina and enrolled in Cape Fear Community

College’s nursing program • Worked part time at Wilmington Health and Rehabilitation as a Certified Nursing Assistant and

was promoted to a Certified Medication Aide while attending college • Completed the LPN program and graduated in August, 2013 • Still employed at Wilmington Health and Rehabilitation as a nurse

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Jacqueline Jackson- 2006

• President of the senior class, field conductor of the Marching Band and is a member of the track and field team

• Has represented her school at local and district Rotary Youth Leadership Conferences • Received an award from Winston Salem State Alumni for her outstanding community service • Peer Mediator and a member of Students Against Violence Everywhere • Active in her church and volunteers at Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Wilmington Children’s

Museum

LeAnne Millis- 2006

• Ranks fifth in her graduating class • Dual enrollment student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where she is taking a

12-hour course load and is on the Dean’s List in addition to two high school courses • Serves as Editor of the Yearbook, Vice President of the Senior Class, president of the Key Club, is

a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Geometry Club • Selected to represent her school at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program • Volunteers for her church and traveled to Buffalo on a mission trip where she worked at a food

pantry in the inner city

Monica Nicole Robbins- 2006

• Dedicated her summer to creating a new summer school program—it was so successful it has now expanded to an after-school program

• Student-advisor of the Young Peoples Department of Bethel, A.M.E. Church and represents the church at conferences and workshops

• Member of the ROCAME organization and has served as Secretary • Has created gift baskets for the sick and shut-in, assisted with a Fun Day in the park, made care

packages for residents of Brunswick Cove Nursing Home and helped to collect food for the Northwest Food Pantry

• Member of the National Honor Society and will be the first person in her immediate family to attend an accredited four-year university

Destiny Fullwood- 2007

• Ms. Fullwood has contributed over 500 hours of community service through the Teen Court

Program where she has served as a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney and juror • Began a Drill Team for youth in her community, giving youth an alternative activity for Saturdays • Her Independent Study Project focused on Segregation in Integrated Schools and she is working

on her Senior Project, Segregation in an Integrated Society, hoping to show that segregation, discrimination and racism is a much larger problem than simply in schools

• Involved in National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Key Club, SGA, Interact, Show Choir and Winter Guard

• Has maintained a 3.9 GPA and plans to attend Campbell University this fall • Graduated from Campbell University with a degree in Government

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• Is currently in her last year of law school at American University's Washington College of Law with the goal of becoming a public defense attorney

• Has done a mission trip to South Africa, worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, the Public Defenders Offices in Wilmington, Maryland and DC and is currently defending her own clients

• Her desire is to return to North Carolina to help those who cannot help themselves

Tiffany Marie Mullin- 2007

• Volunteers with twenty-seven flag and pee-wee cheerleaders ages six to seven • High school cheerleading captain and track team captain—has won every track race in which she

has competed • Activities include President of the National Junior Honor Society, member of the Student

Council, Yearbook, DECA, FCA, and Honor Senior • Has received the AP Scholar Award, the Dr. Shyam Garg Academic Award, the Presidential

Award for Excellence, the Cheerleader Coaches Award and Female Athlete of the Year • Her commitments include tutoring at an elementary school, working with her church to feed the

homeless and volunteering with the Humane Society

Gina Simmons- 2007

• Maintains an A average while volunteering over 200 hours each year • For 12 years she has been an active member of the St. James 4-H Club • Currently, she is a youth leader and officer at the local and county levels • Has taught several workshops in the district and county levels on healthy lifestyles, crafts and

leadership • Member of the National Honor Society, National Senior Beta Club, Principal’s List and is a dual

enrollment student at Southeastern Community College

Kristen Stefureac- 2007

• After the death of her mother who suffered from Bipolar Disorder, Kristen chose “Living with a Bipolar Mother” as the subject for her senior project

• The product portion of her project involved planning a walk in a county park to raise awareness and much needed funds for the local chapter of the NC Mental Health Association—she raised over $2600

• Has become a member of the Student Council for four years, is Vice President of National Honor Society, is a member of the Ocean Science Quiz Bowl, the Beta Club and the Society of Women Scholars

• Has served as a Junior Auxiliary Volunteer, Advisory Council and has volunteered for Operation Christmas Child for four years

• Has a weighted GPA of 4.8 and is number four in her class

• In 2008, she began volunteering for a children's bereavement camp, Comfort Zone Camp, and has since volunteered more than 2,500 hours of her time to support children grieving the death of a parent or sibling

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• Also in 2008, she started volunteering with National Students of AMF, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting college students grieving the illness or death of a loved one

• In 2011, she was awarded the Student Voice of Mental Health Award from the Jed Foundation for volunteer work with suicide prevention and mental health awareness and received the Student Paper Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling and was invited to present her paper entitled "Children left behind: The impact of parental suicide" at their annual conference

• After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 2011, she enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at UNC-Chapel Hill

• Ms. Stefureac graduated in May 2013 with her MSW and started working in June as the full-time Program Manager for National Students of AMF in Raleigh, NC

Saphyr Hrebin- 2008

• Ranks first in her class of 238, is a National Honor Society member and has been accepted to

UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State and UNC-Wilmington • One of three of her school’s Morehead-Cain Scholarship nominees and one of two NC State Park

Scholarship nominees • Participated in Legislator’s School for Youth Leadership Development in 2003 and attended the

EnviroTech Camp at NC State in 2006 • Co-Leader of her church’s youth group, youth representative to the Council on Ministries and

the Contemporary Worship Committee • Co-Captain for the women’s varsity tennis team, earned three varsity letters, was voted “Most

Likely to Succeed” and received the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award

• In May of 2012, she graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology • After graduation she was promoted to Assistant Manager at the pet supply store where she has

worked since 2006 • She not only gets the opportunity to help ensure that pets are taken proper care of and kept

happy, but she also gets to be an advocate for the countless homeless animals in Brunswick County through adoption fairs that are held at the store

• Is able to serve as an informed avenue of information for customers who come to the store not only with their pets' needs but for advice on how to go about getting a pet to begin with

Danielle Black- 2008

• In the summer of 2007, Danielle attended project Suc-Ceed, an eight-week internship with a

Duke scientist and completed a research project • Attended the Junior Statesmen program at Princeton and took a college level government class

there, was accepted to Governor’s School in 2007 and is a Beta Club member • Helped collect canned goods for Good Shepherd House and sent valentine grams to raise funds

for Cystic Fibrosis • Volunteers as a dance instructor for the Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington and trains peer

mediators at New Hanover High School • She is Secretary of the Student Council and received the minority leadership award from the

National Achievement Academy

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Dori Lane Faulk- 2008

• Selected to represent her school on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council based on her academic ability and leadership skills

• Member of Students Against Drunk Driving, attended Governor’s School for her outstanding ability in math and has volunteered with Medical Ministries International in rural Dominican Republic to promote women’s and children’s healthcare

• Received the Whiteville Optimist Outstanding Youth Award, was a nominee for the Principals Leadership Award and has received the Academic Athletic Award for four consecutive years

• Has served as Secretary of National Honor Society, is a Morehead-Cain Scholarship and Parks Scholar Nominee

• Attended Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics at ECU and Jesse Helms Free Enterprise Leadership Conference at Campbell University

Kayla McMillan- 2008

• Served with Governor’s program last summer, was assistant coach for Pender Youth Soccer

Program, President of the Spanish Club and founder of “The Daily Break” Christian Activity Club • Attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference and SATELLITE program for technology

and learning at NC State University • Ranks seventh in her class of 153 and received Academic Achievement Award in her freshmen,

sophomore and junior years • National Award Winner of United States Achievement Academy and is a member of National

Honor Society • She received the highest award in both World History and Spanish and is a Centennial Scholar

semifinalist at NCSU

Monet Hardison- 2009

• Ranks 6 out of 209 in her graduating class with a GPA of 4.53 • Attended North Carolina Governor’s School • Member of the Manhollow Youth Group, National Honor Society, All County Band and an officer

in Student Council • Ms. Hardison is a Peer Mediator at Topsail High School, Girl Scout leader and Vacation Bible

School Program Director • Volunteered at a local thrift store and the Blanket the Community project raising money for

domestic violence

Amanda Holland- 2009

• Editor of the school newspaper and has been accepted into the Honors Program of East Carolina University

• Attended the Governor’s School of North Carolina in the area of Drama and received the Junior Women’s Club Sallie South Scholarship

• As a cancer survivor of Lymphoblast Leukemia, Amanda is an active participant in Relay for Life and served as the Honorary Skipper for the 2006 Leukemia Cup Regatta

• Volunteered as community organizer in Brunswick County to advocate Barack Obama’s platform

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• Advocated for the plight of Darfur in Sudan, Africa and launched a campaign last year for Darfur

Jaimie McGirt- 2009

• President of National Art Honor Society (2008-2009) and Co-President of Legacy Club (2007-2009) at John T. Hoggard High School

• As a member of Junior Beta Club, she was Co-Chairman of Good Shepherd Homeless Shelter project, Chairman of project H.O.P.E. and Recycling Project

• Has been accepted to MANTA: the Marine Science and Nautical Training Academy for a two-week long expedition to coral reefs of the British Virgin Islands

• Volunteers at Wrightsville Beach Elementary in the marine biology/ecology learning program • With Faith Ministries she went to Miguel Aleman, Mexico to build cinder block homes in 2008

Stephanie Carlton- 2010

• Stephanie has maintained a 3.7 GPA while enrolled in Honors and Advanced Placement classes • President of the ROCAME Club at her school and of her church youth group • Ran the cheerleading squad by herself her sophomore year and became Captain her senior year,

and was the only girl on the drum line her sophomore year and is now Percussion Captain • Stephanie was crowned Miss Rocky Point Harvest Queen among other honors • Since her sister was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, Stephanie has held fundraisers and

banquets to help people with the disease

Lauren Nicole Hamilton- 2010

• Lauren is ranked 5th in her class with a 4.48 weighted GPA • Active in her community and school as a member of Church Council and the National Honor

Society • Vacation Bible School leader, JV/Varsity Cheerleader, teacher and choreographer for Dance

Exaltation and certified lay speaker of the United Methodist Church • For her senior project, Lauren focused on the U.S. House of Representatives and wrote a House

Resolution to recognize women for all the advances they had made in the workforce

Lindsay Wright- 2010

• Lindsay is ranked 13th in her class with a 4.9352 GPA • Member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council Association, Youth Advisory

Committee at UNC- Chapel Hill’s Civic Education Consortium, International Politics Club and Key Club

• Active in her community as a regular soup kitchen volunteer, Teen Court volunteer and has participated in the Rhett Syndrome Stroll-A-Thon, Relay for Life and March of Dimes

• Received the Hugh O’ Brian Youth Leadership 100 hours of Service Award among others

Sarah Clark- 2011

• Member of the Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society and four years of regional and state qualified varsity swim team

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• Has received a coveted “Most Sportsmanship” award given to only those that have proven their aid in helping others achieve personal goals

• Academic achievements have won her the Sarah Graham Keenan Library Award only given to four underclassmen each year

• Has participated in youth programs, summer vacation Bible school, Relay for Life, Episcopal Farm Workers Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina’s youth programs, Stop Hunger Now and swim-a-thons to name a few

• Dedicated to her work at the Episcopal Refugee Office helping with housing, language barriers, clothing and food for refugees settling in Wilmington

• Student at Wake Forest • Will be studying abroad next semester in Italy

Tori Colvin- 2011

• Ranked 4th in her class with a 4.3 GPA and acted as Junior Marshall in 2010 for North Brunswick

High School • President of her church’s youth choir in 2008, Percussion Section Leader in 2010, currently the

Senior Vice President, on the Relay 4 Life Committee and former Assistant Secretary and current President of the ROCAME organization at North Brunswick

• Through ROCAME, Ms. Colvin has organized guest speakers to meet with and encourage students to share information for future success in science and engineering

• Serves her community through volunteer work in such areas as the Leland Library, Wilmington Children’s Museum, New Hope Clinic in Boiling Spring Lakes and as a camp counselor at a youth enrichment camp in Delco, NC

Karina Villalobos- 2011

• 4.2 GPA, was a Junior Marshal, National Honor Society member and is ranked 4th in her class at

Heide Trask High School • President of the Key Club, Secretary of the Student Government Association, Activities

Coordinator for Bridge Club and Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook • Has been nominated, selected for, and present at several leadership conferences including

Project Up-Lift at UNC-Chapel Hill and Teacher Cadet Conference in Raleigh, NC • Recognized by her peers as ‘Best All-Around’ superlative and by faculty as a Senior Honoree • Volunteers with East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, Angel tree program, annual Valentine’s

Day dances at the Senior Center, buddy lunches, Special Olympics, PASS Tutoring and Teacher Cadet to name a few

• Current junior at UNCW majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Anthropology • Has been involved with the Communication Studies Society since her freshman year where she

had the opportunity to serve as the Fundraiser Chair her sophomore year and as the Vice President this year

• One of the fall 2013 coordinators for “Project Protégé,” a mentoring program organized by the Communication Studies Society where students are given the opportunity to meet local professionals in communication-related careers

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• For the past two years, she has also been a volunteer at the Public Relations and Marketing Department of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center

Arianna Nasser- 2012

• Young leader at Duke University Hospital during the Camp MED program • She then headed to South Korea for the remainder of the summer to attend the Council of

International Education Exchange • For the past two summers, she has been involved in the Global Public Service Academy in

Guatemala—this volunteer work involved vaccinating children against polio and rotavirus, providing nutritional supplements and protection against parasites—due to exceptional leadership, she was asked back to the program this year

• Academic honors include The Charles Babbage Award for Mathematical Perseverance, as well as excellence awards in English, History and Chemistry

• With a GPA of 4.9, she will graduate as class valedictorian

• Has officially matriculated into the Biomedical Engineering department at NC State, where she has enjoyed taking on leadership roles on campus including the position as a committee chair within Student Government

• Has been involved in the planning of the Krispy Kreme Challenge and Service Raleigh as well as other campus events

• Spent the summer of 2013 as an NSF-REU (National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergraduates) Fellow at Virginia Tech researching lead with regard to water quality and public health

• Plans to spend 7 months (from May 2014 to December 2014) working in Uganda where she has been offered a position working and researching with The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) and the pediatrics department at the Makerere University School of Medicine

Jaclyn Ray- 2012

• With a GPA of 4.8 she is ranked at the top of her class • This past summer, she joined efforts in pursuit of a grant to provide bullying prevention program

funding for all of the middle and high schools in Columbus, Brunswick and New Hanover counties

• Currently engaged in efforts for a Bullying Prevention Campaign with the Carolina Panthers • At South Columbus High School, she serves on the Senior Advisory Committee • Recently recognized by the Whiteville Optimist Club for her leadership and contributions in her

school and community and she also received the Citizenship Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution

Taylor Benson- 2012

• Boasts a grade point average that ranks in the top three of her graduating class • As President of North Brunswick High School’s Key Club, she has raised meeting attendance and

community service hours among members and has spearheaded school-wide initiatives • Serves as President of the Recycling Club, Vice President of the Spanish Honor Society and

Captain of the Varsity Soccer Team

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• Pitched an idea for a multiple sclerosis walkathon for the Make a Wish Foundation • Participated in National History Day at the Cape Fear Museum and was awarded first place

regionally for her presentation on the Scottsboro Trials

Anna Brodemerkel- 2013

• President of the Bridge Club (social mentors to disabled students) and Science Club, and is Brass Captain of the marching band

• Ms. Brodmerkel is an all-conference volleyball player and Co-Captain of the team and also plays softball

• As a student athlete, Ms. Brodmerkel excels in the classroom • Community service is very important to her, and she volunteers at the Senior Center in Burgaw

through the Key Club and National Honor Society

• Graduated from Heide Trask Sr. High School as class Valedictorian in 2013, and will attend UNC Chapel Hill in 2014 as an Honors Carolina student and major in Anthropology

• UNC-CH Global Gap Year Fellow and is currently committing a year to service work abroad • Volunteered with the Katelios Group for the Research and Protection of Marine and Terrestrial

Life working to preserve the endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle in Katelios, Greece • During the year, learned about organic farming and sustainable practices in New Zealand

through WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), and taught children with learning disabilities with the organization YAP Ghana in Accra, Ghana

• Anna is excited to return to UNC-CH with a new perspective and life experiences

Sophie Kot- 2013

• Ms. Kot will graduate from New Hanover High School in June 2013 with a GPA of 5.0—is projected to graduate 3rd in a class of 418 students

• Member of the National Honor Society and the Beta Club Service Organization • Currently, Ms. Kot is serving as Student Body President as elected by her fellow roles as student

government officers • During each of her four years at New Hanover, Ms. Kot has been an active member of the Lady

Wildcat Tennis and Swim Teams, earning a total of 7 Varsity Letters during her athletic career • Her tennis career highlights have included being selected as a member of the All-Conference

Team on two occasions, First Team All-Area during her senior season, and Wilmington Star News Player of the Week during the Fall Season of 2012

Alexandria Natoli- 2013

• Student at Brunswick Early College and will have her Associates in Arts when she graduates • Received the College Honor Roll Awards two semesters straight and the High School Honor Roll

since she began at Early College • Ms. Natoli is the head of the Prom Committee and is very active in the community • Volunteers weekly at her local nursing home and also organizes and directs two annual

fundraisers for MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) • Plans on attending UNCW in the fall and starting the nursing program

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• Full time student at UNCW • Currently applying to multiple schools for nursing in the fall • Works part time at Robin Hood Container • Still volunteers with MDA and also one on one with a dementia patient