Class of 2020 profiles: E-L

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:

Cass Edwards

Hometown: Selma

School: Homestead Academy

Over the years, Cass has been an active participant in Student Council, AHG, 4-H and horseback riding. She is a 4-H Member of Distinction, Spirit Award Winner and the 2019 recipient of the JB Coats Citizenship Award. She attends Temple Church, where she enjoys volunteering with the mobile food market. Currently enrolled in the Johnston County EMS Cadet Academy, Cass plans to attend JCC to pursue a career in emergency medical services. Cass, we can’t wait to see how God plans to use you! — Sherry Edwards

Theo Evans

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

This is Theo Evans, my son. He will be a 2020 graduate of Clayton High School. Theo has been active in band for many years, even playing with the high school marching band while still in eighth grade. He plays three different instruments! He works two jobs now since he’s out of school. I am a proud mom of my son. — Rita Bond

Mikael Faircloth

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

Mikael is a senior this year at SJHS. He has done an outstanding job balancing football and work through his high school years. Mikael played football all four years in high school. If you see Mikael at the grocery store working, please give him a friendly smile to remind him that all seniors deserve recognition. Mikael will be attending ECU in the fall. Mikael, we love you and are so proud of you! — Love, Mom

Amber Fox

Hometown: Smithfield

School: Princeton High School

Amber played tennis and was a member of several clubs. She was a student ambassador during her four years of high school. Amber was voted as the friendliest by her senior classmates. She will be attending East Carolina and majoring in biochemistry. — Denise Fox

Hunter Gale

Hometown: Clayton

School: Corinth Holders High School

Hunter attended all four years at CHHS. He was in JROTC all four years and then was on the wrestling team his senior year. He plans on attending JCC to get his associate’s degree and then wants to go in the Marines. We are so proud of the young man he has turned out to be and can’t wait to see what the future holds. We love you so much! — Love, Mom, Dad and Haley

Cannon Gardner

Hometown: Smithfield

School: Smithfield-Selma High School

Cannon played four years on the varsity baseball team. In 2019, he received the Amby Foote Pitching Award. He was a three-year member of the swim team and also participated in a season of JV football, as well as a year of wrestling. Cannon will be attending Cleveland Community College in the fall as a member of their inaugural baseball team. Cannon will be pursuing an associate’s degree in information technology, with a concentration in system security. He plans to pursue work in cybersecurity. — Shelley Gardner

Megan George

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

Megan is an honors graduate of CHS who participated in the dual enrollment program at Johnston Community College. She will be attending Meredith College to study exercise and sports science, and then plans to further her education with the ultimate goal of becoming a physical therapist. She has played piano for 12 years and enjoys dance and running. We are so proud of the lovely young woman she has become and are excited to watch her follow her dreams! — Wendy George

Calesie Godwin

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

Calesie is an honor student at South Johnston where she served as Student Government president, competed nationally on the Skills USA Opening and Closing Team and was a Trojan Ambassador. She has been a cheerleader all four years and on the varsity squad for three years. She was selected as an Outstanding Senior for the Class of 2020. She plans to attend East Carolina University as a biology major on a pre-optometry track. — Allison Godwin

Leslie Gonzalez

Hometown: Kenly

School: Princeton High School

Leslie attended Princeton from kindergarten through high school. She’s an honest and outgoing spirit, if a little shy on the outside at times. Leslie has always had a talent for the arts, from a flirtation with violin at a young age to finding her true gift with art. Using pencil and paper, paint and canvas or digital graphics and computers, she has worked hard to develop her talent and pursue her gift, ultimately being selected as the president of Princeton’s Art Club. Mom and Dad are very proud! — Eddie Gonzalez

Cailyn Halloran

Hometown: Willow Spring

School: West Johnston High School

Cailyn is an eightseason WJHS band student who competed in marching band, winter winds, jazz band and guard. A dedicated AP student who was a junior marshal at last year’s graduation, Cailyn is eagerly anticipating starting Elon University in the fall. — Nick Halloran

Justin Hamilton

Hometown: Benson

School: South Johnston High School

Justin played baseball all four years of high school with the South Johnston Trojans. He will be continuing his education and baseball career as a Mustang at Mid Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City. Way to go, Justin! — Linda Hamilton

Haley Hamlin

Hometown: Garner

School: Cleveland High School

Haley was a member of Cleveland High School varsity women’s basketball team all four years of high school. Haley enjoyed activities as a member of FFA and looks forward to attending college. — Lillian Hamlin

Samantha Harris

Hometown: Raleigh

School: West Johnston High School

Sam has been through a lot and worked hard to become the smart, sassy and beautiful young woman she is today! She enjoyed playing volleyball for West and hanging with friends and family. — Leslie Walton

Parker Hayes

Hometown: Pine Level

School: North Johnston High School

Parker has been a part of the NJHS football team, track and wrestling. He participated in Honors Chorus, All-County and All-State Choral. His plans are to attend Barton College in the fall to play football as a long snapper and study exercise science. Parker has also volunteered with the 3HC Wings Camp for children who have experienced loss. We are so proud of your hard work and dedication! — Love you, Mom, Corey, Noah and Livy

Connor Hicks

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

Connor was a member of the DECA team and JV football team. Connor plans to be a physical therapist and will pursue that degree from ECU. He hopes to open his own practice. Connor would like to thank his parents and family, teachers who have supported him in his academic pursuits and his coaches from his time at Clayton Civitan through his senior year of high school. — Kelli Hicks

Kody Hicks

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

Kody was a member of the 2020 Clayton High golf team. He also lettered in swimming and football. Kody plans to be a physical therapist and will pursue that degree from ECU. Kody would like to thank his parents and family, teachers who have supported him in his academic pursuits and his coaches from his time at Clayton Civitan through his senior year of high school. — Kelli Hicks

Anna Hill

Hometown: Benson

School: Smithfield-Selma High School

Anna Hill is a three-sport athlete (cross country, basketball and softball) and covaledictorian at SSS, graduating from the International Baccalaureate Programme. She is in student government, FCA, Unified, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society, and she volunteers with the Special Olympics every year. She is also active in community service projects, such as BackPack Buddies. Anna received the Park Scholarship and will be attending N.C. State University in the fall, studying civil engineering. — Elizabeth Kauff

Catherine Holbrook

Hometown: Angier

School: Cleveland High School

Catherine is in the Cleveland High School FFA. She has been on the tennis, basketball and soccer teams at the school. She will be attending N.C. State for poultry science. We are so, so proud of her and all her accomplishments! We love her! — Vickie Holbrook

Jaycob Hutchens

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: West Johnston High School

Jaycob has a big heart and strong faith. He was involved in wrestling and ROTC at WJHS. His passions are dancing, drawing and martial arts. His future plans are to study how to become a stunt man for movies, like Jackie Chan. — Jeff and Tammy Hutchens

Santina Hutchens

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: West Johnston High School

Santina has been blessed with a voice! She’s a part of advanced chorus at WJHS where she is the president of the chorus and group leader of the altos. She has been involved with 4-H for 10 years. By the end of her senior year, she will have her associate’s degree in science through JCC. In the fall, she will attend Williamston Community College and finish her degree in equine business management and training. Colossians 1:10. — Jeff and Tammy Hutchens

Bobbi Kemp

Hometown: Clayton

School: Clayton High School

Bobbi is planning to attend Wake Technical Community College to complete her associate’s degree and transfer to N.C. State. — Norene Kemp

Kelvin King

Hometown: Princeton

School: Princeton High School

Kelvin has always made us laugh and brings us joy. He plans to attend JCC for heating and air and intends to start his own business. — Kelly King

Dylan Lambert

Hometown: Meadow Community

School: South Johnston High School

Dylan was captain of the soccer team and also captain of the swim team. He played football his last two years of school and received the Greater Neuse 3A Special Team player of the Year both years and was awarded all conference his senior year. He’s an honor roll student and plans on attending Cape Fear College and then UNCW for his masters in marine biology. Son, believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacles. We’re very proud. — Michael and Camilla Lambert

Sean Lambert

Hometown: Clayton

School: Neuse Charter School

Sean has loved learning his entire life. He has always been a creative problem solver, an analytical thinker, a musician and a determined student. He has worked hard to achieve academic success, which earned his spot in the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University this fall. Sean has a compassionate heart for his community, his church and his family. He selflessly serves others in whatever ways are needed. His family is more proud of him than words could ever say. — Christie Lambert

Hannah Lancaster

Hometown: Benson

School: South Johnston High School

Hannah has thoroughly enjoyed being a Trojan Ambassador at South Johnston. She has been active in several clubs at school and has volunteered in the Benson community for several years. She will be attending Appalachian State University in the fall. — Emile Lancaster

Jamir Ledbetter

Hometown: Selma

School: Neuse Charter School

Jamir played varsity basketball all four years. His senior year, he decided to venture out and play soccer and baseball as well. He won Homecoming King and he plans to attend NCCU in the fall of 2020. — Jewel Bradley

Gracie Lee

Hometown: Four Oaks

School: South Johnston High School

Gracie is a funloving girl who loves to hang out with her friends and family. I can’t believe my baby is graduating and starting a whole new chapter in life. She has a strong interest in science and is leaning towards a career in forensic science. She plans to attend JCC. I just want to say how truly proud I am of her and I will love her ALWAYS and FOREVER!! — Love, Mama

Hunner Lee

Hunner will be graduating soon and going to Wake Tech for video game design. We are so proud of you, Hunner, and we can’t wait to see what this next chapter of life has in store for you! Congrats, class of 2020! — Amy McDuffy

Taylor Lee

Hometown: Clayton

School: Cleveland High School

Taylor’s activities include volleyball and Johnston County Junior Civitans. She’s a summa cum laude graduate, attending ECU Honors College this fall. — Sandra Lee

C.J. Linton

Hometown: Kenly

School: North Johnston High School

C.J., we are very proud of you and love you very much! — Love, Mom, Dad and Judy

Griffin Lloyd

Hometown: Clayton

School: Neuse Charter School

Griffin attended Neuse Charter School from kindergarten through 12th grade, starting there the year the school opened in 2007. He wrestled and ran cross country for six years. He was also cast as The Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” Mr. Salt in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and as Miss Trumbull in “Matilda,” before the show had to be canceled. Griffin plans to complete his BA and pursue a higher degree in drama/theater with a goal of becoming a voice actor. — Kitty Ann Lloyd