Class of 2020 profiles: A-D

We wanted to honor the Class of 2020 in this edition, in the interest of bandwidth — and your eyesight — we broke the profiles up for the smartphone articles. These profiles are for those students whose last names begin with A through D.

Ashton June Allen

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

This is Ashton June Allen of Four Oaks, a senior at South Johnston High School. Michael and I are proud to be the aunt and uncle of a wonderful young lady! — Crystal Johnson

Katelyn Askew

Hometown: Smithfield

School: Princeton High School

Katelyn is in the Beta Club and marching band and plays tennis. She plans to attend UNC Pembroke in the fall and major in accounting. — Julie Askew

Leighya Avalos

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: Princeton High School

My senior’s name is Leighya Avalos. She attends Princeton High. When she graduates, she will be going to the University of Mount Olive for agri business. Leighya loves the outdoors. She’s a member of the FFA, as well as HOSA. Leighya is very active in our community. She has a big heart. We are so proud of her! — Jennifer Rhodes

Alyssa Leanne Barefoot

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

Alyssa was a SJHS cheerleader for four years. She was also involved in SGA and FCA. She will be attending ECU in the fall for dental hygiene. We are so proud of our SJHS 2020 Grad! — Love, Mama, Daddy and Layna.

Matthew Barefoot

Hometown: Meadow Community

School: South Johnston High School

Matthew loves his friends and his family and will be attending NCSU this fall. He is a member of NHS, Trojan Ambassadors, FFA and Gang Green. He also participated in swimming, tennis and golf while at SJHS. — Candace Barefoot

Courtney Barnes

Hometown: Princeton

School: Princeton High School

Courtney is graduating from Princeton High School with a GPA of 4.26. While not only keeping her grades up, she also is the textbook supervisor for Johnston Community College. She has been accepted into the RIBN Program with ECU with future plans to be a pediatric nurse! — Pamela Barnes

Makenzie Blanchard

Hometown: Garner (Cleveland)

School: Cleveland High School

One thing I love about Makenzie is her laugh! She is dedicated, determined and loyal. She enjoys playing soccer and Girl Scouts and her heart belongs (and always will) to the FFA. She will graduate with honors and will enter N.C. State in the fall as part of the WISE program (Women in Science & Engineering) with a focus on animal studies. She will be a foods animal vet in a few years! God has great things ahead for you...You got this Mak! We love you...D, M & JAW.

Nicholas Bland

Hometown: Clayton

School: Corinth Holders High School

Nicholas is a caring, generous and hard-working young man who is loyal to his family and friends. His sense of humor and ability to get along with everyone serves him well. He has shown an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, spanning from landscaping to customizing shoes. In addition, Nick has held jobs with local businesses and volunteered, which further fueled his desire to study finance and accounting. Nicholas will attend Johnston Community College and plans to transfer to UNC Charlotte. — Lisa Bland

Thomas Bland

Hometown: Clayton

School: Corinth Holders High School

Thomas is a kind, warm-hearted young man with a great sense of humor and a tight-knit circle of friends and family. He loved being a member of TSA, so much so that he served as vice president of Engineering the last two years. He and his VEX Robotics team worked tirelessly building the ultimate robot to compete at the 2020 State Championship. Thomas, an honors student, enjoys design, drawing and volunteering. He will attend UNC Charlotte to major in architecture. — Lisa Bland

Cheyenne Boswell

Hometown: Kenly

School: North Johnston High School

Cheyenne is a member of the FFA and played on the ladies tennis team. She plans to attend JCC for radiology in the fall. — Scarlett Boswell

Anna Grace Brown

Hometown: Wilson’s Mills

School: Smithfield-Selma High School

Anna Grace is a four-year cheerleader and a captain of the cheer team. She was named cheerleader of the year for the fall and winter seasons. She serves as vice president of the Unified Club and has volunteered for the Special Olympics the past four years with the Johnston County games. She has a passion for her special needs friends and will enter JCC transfer program to pursue a career in teaching. She enjoys spending time with her friends, family and her dog, Cash. — Vicki Brown

Harley Brown

Hometown: Kenly

School: North Johnston High School

I would love to thank my family for helping me push through these hard times. I’m hoping we can all still walk across the stage for the lost loved ones we all may have made that promise to. I hope to have my dreams come true and open my very own hair salon one day. “Harley has worked so hard for this and all of us are so proud of her,” Kimberly Gardner said.

John Brown

Hometown: Clayton

School: Cleveland High School

We are so very proud of John. He has joined the United States Marine Corps and will ship out in September. — Melissa Brown

Alexis Byrd

Hometown: Kenly

School: North Johnston High School

Alexis played volleyball, softball and ran track, and was a member of the National Honor Society and First Priority. We are so proud of you and love you very much!! — Paula Hendry

Logan Byrd

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: North Johnston High School

Logan played volleyball and soccer all four years. She is a member of FFA and National Honor Society. She will be attending UNC Wilmington in the fall, majoring in criminology. — Melissa Byrd

Jamie Champion

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

Jamie loves computers! He has worked as the teacher’s assistant and intern for the IT administrator during his junior and senior year. He plans to attend JCC for engineering. COMETS ALL IN! — Paula Champion

Christian Choto

Hometown: Clayton

School: Cleveland High School

We are so incredibly proud of Christian! He finishes his senior year with great accomplishments, both scholastic (graduating with college credits) and athletic. This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of what is yet to come. You have paved the way for your siblings with great honors. Christian’s future plans are to become an orthodontist. We have no doubt you will accomplish all your goals and dreams! We love you! — Ana and Napoleon Choto

Zachary Clark

Hometown: Garner

School: Cleveland High School

Zachary ran cross-country and indoor and outdoor track throughout his high school career. He was a conference champion multiple times across each sport and in multiple events. He qualified for the State Championship a number of times and in his senior year, placed fourth in the State 3A Cross- Country Championship and fourth at the State 3A Indoor Championship in the 3200. Zachary plans to attend college in the fall and continue his running career! — Alicia Clark

Alyssa Coley

Hometown: Clayton

School: Corinth Holders High School

Alyssa has persevered through this pandemic canceling the end of her senior year. She chooses joy every day despite missing some big milestones. Alyssa is graduating from Corinth Holders High School and will be moving to Wilmington to attend Cape Fear Community College. She will later transfer to UNCW to major in communications. Alyssa aspires to be a leader wherever life takes her and travel to some of her favorite places. We’re so proud of her and excited to see her live out her dreams! — Kellie Coley

Ryan Compton

Hometown: Garner (Cleveland)

School: Cleveland High School

Ryan is an Eagle Scout, member of the Cleveland Arts Performance Ensemble percussion, Cleveland High School men’s swim team, National Honor Society and is an active member of Mid-Way Baptist’s Student Leadership Team. He is graduating cum laude from Cleveland High School and will be attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in fall of 2020. Ryan would like to thank all the wonderful mentors, teachers and good friends he has had through the years. — Vanessa Compton

Cole Contos

Hometown: Selma

School: Logos Academy (home school)

Cole enjoys playing electric and acoustic guitar and piano, as well as reading. Cole has been an active member of the Johnston County Civil Air Patrol squadron since 2015, receiving the Mitchell Award and attaining the rank of second lieutenant. Cole has been accepted into North Carolina State University’s engineering department, where he plans to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. — Shellie Contos

Stephen Costa

Hometown: Willow Spring

School: West Johnston High School

I played tennis and was a member of FFA, the food pantry and the Young Republicans. I want to thank my parents, Laura and Abe Costa, for their support and encouragement throughout the past four years.

7Lee Craven

Hometown: Garner

School: West Johnston High School

7Lee is a student in Mrs. Walls’ life skills class. She is very well known and loved among the students and staff at school. She has participated in many pageants, including the Miss West Johnston pageant. She once held the title of Miss Wonderfully Made. — Stacie Craven

Anna Crocker

Hometown: Pine Level

School: North Johnston High School

Anna is a varsity cheerleader, member of National Honor Society, HOSA and First Priority and the co-vice president of FCCLA. She is a member of Awaken Student Ministries at Princeton Church. She also dances with Baker School of Dance. Anna will be attending Campbell University in the fall majoring in pre-nursing. — Renee Crocker

Jordan Crocker

Hometown: Pine Level

School: Lee University

Jordan is graduating from Lee University, magna cum laude, with a bachelor’s degree in digital media. He is a member of Tau Kappa Omega and is the marketing manager with Vindagua, the college publication. He plans to reside and work in Nashville. — Renee Crocker

Austin Davis

Hometown: Kenly

School: North Johnston High School

We are so proud of Austin. We all were excited to see him walk across that stage and start his new journey in life. — Kimberly Gardner

Thomas Dees

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

I am a scholar athlete at South Johnston High School. I have enjoyed being a part of the varsity basketball team for three years and love playing for South. I would like to thank my parents, family and my uncle, Gene, for supporting and encouraging me to be the best I can be at all times. I have a strong faith in God and I am excited about attending East Carolina University in the fall. I will be majoring in business administration with a minor in construction management.

Austin Denning

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

His activities included basketball, tennis, cross country, class vice president, National Honor Society president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Inclusion Club, SkillsUSA and Mr. South Johnston 2018! Austin plans to attend North Carolina State University to study mathematics/ math education and film. “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you will go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.” We love you so much, Austin! — Mom, Dad and Carson