2018
presented by
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THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
2018
For eight years The Fayetteville Observer has honored our area’s best and brightest young professionals, and we are proud to present them in this keepsake publication. Inside you will learn more about the honorees – their incredible success at a young age, selfless dedication to the community and tales of personal triumph over obstacles.
PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
PUBLISHER Bob Gruber ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Lynnie Guzman
We look forward to seeing the impact these honorees have on the future of our community.
Special thanks to our sponsors & partners
EDITOR Matt Leclercq EVENT MANAGER Malia Allen CONTRIBUTING WRITER Stacie Borrello
Bass Air Conditioning • Day & Night Family Dental Cape Fear Botanical Garden • Duck Donuts • Elite Catering Five Star Entertainment • Gathered Marketplace
DESIGNER & PHOTOGRAPHER Eddie Harris
Our 40 Under 40 Honorees were treated to a gala event at Cape Fear Botanical Gardens on Friday, March 9 where North Carolina District Court Judge Toni King was Keynote Speaker.
The contents of this magazine are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from the publisher.
Contact us at: The Fayetteville Observer PO Box 849 Fayetteville, N.C. 28302 910-609-0657 advertise@fayobserver.com
TONI KING
NORTH CAROLINA DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
View photos from the event at FayObserver.com
Thank you to our judges
LYNNIE GUZMAN
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER
WILLIAM WALKER METHODIST UNIVERSITY
ANDREA MARTIN
CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
DESANDRA WASHINGTON FAYETTEVILLE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BILL PANNHOFF B&B CATERING
JOHNNY WILSON
FAYETTEVILLE URBAN MINISTRY
KIRBY TYSON
TYSON COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
JEFF WOMBLE
FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
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Tiffany Pennink
Coldwell Banker Advantage | 39 Raised in a tight-knit Native American community, Tiffany Pennink felt supported by her parents when she chose to pursue college and a career away from home. She is currently a realtor at Coldwell Banker Advantage, where she works with her mother-in-law Suzanne Pennink. As a team, they reached $5.4 million in home sales in 2016 and $9.1 million in 2017. Their 2018 goal is $15 million. Before Coldwell, Tiffany opened and managed the first satellite office for Hutchens Law Firm, which quickly grew into the firm’s
real estate division with a staff of 30 people. Her advice to aspiring realtors is to align yourself with a progressive firm that has strong leadership and a junior realtor mentorship program. Also, she says don’t be afraid to be aggressive because you must work hard to be paid in this field. When she’s not working with home buyers or sellers, she loves to flip properties with her husband and mother-in-law. As a mother of biracial children, she feels passionately about working as a community to eliminate the racial divide.
Trish Brownlee
Capitol Encore Academy | 34 A former military service member and military photographer, Trish Brownlee now applies her creativity to Fayetteville’s art and culture scene. She exhibits artwork at area galleries, such as the Fayetteville Technical Community College Gallery and ArtSpace in Raleigh. In addition to making healing art with fellow veterans through the Veteran Artists Program, she served as a consultant on “Downrange,” a play about military families that premiered at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre.
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Trish’s day job is teaching art to students at Capitol Encore Academy, a public charter school. She also offers low-cost art classes through the Cape Fear Botanical Garden and the Arts Council of Fayetteville. She encourages artists and others to strive to reach your goals and, if you fail, get right back up and try again. One change she would like to see in the community is increased access to affordable, highquality early childhood education.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Dewayne Webb
All About Fitness Family | 37 With a passion for practicing total fitness that has lasted his entire adult life, U.S. Army Captain Dewayne Webb is a certified personal trainer with the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Currently based at Fort Bragg, he also handles public relations work for the 3rd SFG(A), an Army Special Forces group that operates primarily in Africa and the Middle East. When he’s not covering Army communications, Dewayne enjoys jumping out of planes and helping others become their best selves
through adopting a physical fitness lifestyle. He founded a non-profit organization called All About Fitness, Inc. that offers free community workouts and hosts donation drives for those less fortunate. With seemingly boundless energy, he also founded a unique real estate investment company, Kingdom Investments and Beyond, LLC, whose profits are donated to community outreach projects. His advice to young people is to go for your dreams and train for a healthy lifestyle by finding a mentor in the fitness field.
Jeremiah McLamb
JerFilm Productions | 34 Jeremiah McLamb is an award-winning filmmaker and documentarian who has produced two feature films in Fayetteville and is working on filming more projects in the community. Inspired by the hope he finds in Christ, he also creates professional videos for missionary organizations and churches, including Fayetteville Urban Ministry. He credits his faith as well as influential mentors with where he is today. Jeremiah’s future goals include continuing to use
films to tell entertaining, educational, and true stories that convey a message of hope. He also would like to see the creation of a larger and more active film community in the Fayetteville area. He advises future filmmakers to let your passion lead, work hard, and know that your growth occurs during the journey of film making, not at the “finish line.” In addition to traveling to 17 countries, Jeremiah’s hobbies include playing the trumpet and piano and parachuting out of airplanes.
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
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Latoya Gordon
City of Fayetteville Economic Development | 32 With a passion for increasing affordable housing access and employment opportunities and reducing homelessness, Latoya Gordon worked with the Fayetteville Police Department for seven years before transferring to the city’s Economic and Community Development Department two years ago. Her professional accomplishments include organizing a job fair attended by 700 exoffenders seeking to reintegrate to society, an effort that earned her the Chief’s Excellence Award. A hard worker who attained a Bachelor’s in Criminal
Justice and a Master’s in Multidisciplinary Human Services, Latoya strives to increase economic opportunities for youth and families as a board member of the Network for Southern Economic Mobility. She also volunteers with the Cumberland County Continuum of Care for Homelessness. A Halloween baby who has never had a costume-themed birthday party, the light of Latoya’s life is her son Collin. She advises people aspiring to work in community organizations to stay focused, keep a positive attitude, and be ready to work hard to effect change.
Jennifer Hammond
Residential Mortgage | 33 An up-and-coming mortgage industry professional, Jennifer Hammond has spent the last eight years assisting hundreds of clients with their home-buying process. Earning clients’ trust with her strong work ethic and ability to clearly explain the complex mortgage process, Jennifer enjoys seeing her hard work pay off when her clients close on the house of their dreams. Very active in the Fayetteville community, Jennifer focuses her volunteer efforts on helping those less fortunate. She is a member of the Better Health Board, which offers education, referrals,
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and other support to people who need health care in Cumberland County. She also packs meals for Rise Against Hunger and is a member of the Cumberland Community Foundation scholarship selection committee. A life-long member of First Presbyterian Church, Jennifer enjoys expressing her faith through the music ministry and leading the preschool choir. Her advice to young professionals is prioritize human contact in business relationships by picking up the phone or meeting in person, rather than sending an impersonal text or email.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Joe Salisbury
Capitol Encore Academy | 32 A winner of the Golden Key Award for Excellence in School Nutrition, Joseph Salisbury manages the school nutrition program and nutrition grant writing at The Capitol Encore Academy (TCEA). Featured on the K12Foodies podcast for child nutrition grant writers, Joseph has attracted several grants to TCEA and increased the number of warm breakfasts served to students. Next, he is setting his sights on securing funding for an urban garden near the school that would provide fresh foods for students while helping to beautify the area.
A native of Detroit, Joseph participated in ice sculpting competitions in college, and even placed ninth in a national competition. Having overcome the enormous challenge of surviving childhood cancer, Joseph is always looking for ways to brighten the lives of others. His family invites foodinsecure people to have dinner at his home regularly, and he welcomes large groups on the holidays. He encourages young people wanting to work in education to focus on being patient and keeping a positive mindset even when the going gets rough.
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
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William Haithcock
Cape Fear Valley Health | 34 A proud graduate of the University of North Carolina, Will Haithcock is even more proud of becoming a new father. In addition to basking in the joys of new parenthood, he works to identify and better serve the health care needs of area residents through his senior position at Cape Fear Valley Health System (CFVHS). For instance, his push to change a policy resulted in more patients having access to advanced diagnostic equipment like MRI machines. Looking forward, he wants to help CFVHS be a state-wide
leader in delivering quality healthcare to everyone in its seven-county region. Driven by a desire to improve health outcomes and reduce the high rate of diabetes in the area, Will serves as the Board Treasurer for Better Health of Cumberland County, a nonprofit community organization. For people aspiring to healthcare administration, Will says prepare to be pulled out of your comfort zone and put on a path of lifetime discovery. We share in Will’s joy of welcoming his first child into the world.
Kendra White
The Law Office of K.D. White | 37 For the past decade Kendra White has advocated for clients as a family law and personal injury attorney. Driven to use her legal knowledge to defend and help people, she says the most rewarding part of her job is when she wins a favorable judgment for a client, such as child custody. As the first college graduate in her family, Kendra plans to encourage her younger relatives to shoot for the stars by pursuing a higher education. The mother of two very funny twin boys,
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Kendra’s short-term plan is to make a positive impact on people’s lives by continuing to push for fair judgments for her clients. Her future plans include organizing free legal clinics where area residents can get educational resources to better understand their rights and how to advocate for themselves more effectively. Her advice to aspiring attorneys is to take the plunge and go to law school. Being an attorney is a rewarding career for people who enjoy advocating for others.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Kimberly Lynch Belk | 33
After losing her mother to cancer and seeing her sister also fight the disease, Kimberly Lynch felt motivated to find ways to help ease the suffering cancer causes. She founded Foundation 29 to offer family members of cancer patients a supportive community and the chance to raise awareness about the cancers affecting their families. Foundation 29 is one way she stays close to her mother, who was proud of Kimberly and supported her any way she could.
Aside from her foundation, Kimberly has worked in retail management for 15 years and overseen about $130 million in sales. Her best advice to young managers is to remember you “lead” human beings rather than “manage” them. Employees are more loyal to good leaders than companies. She also suggests people stop selling the millennial generation short. Instead of always rejecting the input of young people, try listening to the new ideas they bring to the table.
Angela Raupp
Regency & Lakeshore Grande Apartments | 39 After successfully juggling finishing her degree, working full-time, and raising children, Angela Raupp has risen steadily upward in the rental industry, starting as a leasing agent and currently serving as a regional manager. She continues to push toward her professional goals, recently graduating from the Apartment Association of North Carolina’s Leadership Lyceum program and receiving proctor certification from the National Apartment Association Education Institute.
Taking on challenges in her personal life as well, Angela is mother of three: a 17-yearold boy and boy-girl twins who are nearly one! Her twins were delivered early and spent 21 and 75 days in the NICU, respectively. Her daughter, who has Down syndrome, has thankfully had a successful surgery to repair her heart defects and is doing well. Angela enjoys running in 5Ks and is training for her first half marathon in Fayetteville in March 2018. Her best advice is to be kind, always. Teach it through your actions and pay it forward every chance you have!
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Gary Rogers
Beasley Media Group | 35 For six years Gary Rogers has crafted successful advertising strategies for growing Fayetteville businesses at Beasley Media Group. He also serves as an ambassador and board member for the Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, where he helps businesses connect with each other and work together on ways to help Fayetteville thrive. When taking a break from developing catchy marketing campaigns, Gary enjoys giving back to the community as a supporter
of many worthy causes such as the Fayetteville Urban Ministry, Salvation Army, and Fair Share Giver program at the United Way. He enjoys expressing his creative side as part of the media team at Breezewood Church, where he also helps lead the children’s ministry. A natural problem-solver, Gary routinely strives for excellence in order to set the best example for his children and other future leaders. His best advice is to listen twice as much as you speak so you can be more informed and productive in your interactions.
Brittany Ray
Cumberland County Schools | 31 A former Teacher of the Year, Brittany Ray is a dedicated administrator who also received the honor of Cumberland County Schools Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year for 2017-18. Although her day job keeps her very busy, she’s also advancing her education with a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership through GardnerWebb University and plans to graduate this summer. A big believer that the future of our community lies with children, Brittany focuses on sowing seeds
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to help the children she guides grow into positive and productive members of society. One of her chief goals is teaching children to give back to their community and become people who lend a helping hand to future generations. She puts her values into practice through her community service work with the Junior League of Fayetteville and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Brittany’s advice to aspiring educators is remember the importance of being patient and kind and never hesitate to be an advocate for your students.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Sarah Lester
Naturally the Best Lactation & Monkey Joe’s | 31 Sarah Lester has the distinction of being the first full-time certified lactation consultant in the Fayetteville area. Not quite three years after receiving her International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) credential, she has already helped around 250 families on their breastfeeding journey. She also pioneered the frenectomy clinic at Village Family Dental, where she is the attending IBLCE consultant assisting families with tongue and lip tie issues. Serving area families in more than one way,
Sarah also is the General Manager of Monkey Joe’s of Fayetteville and a member of the NICU Parent Advisory Council for Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Pregnant with her third daughter, she gets frequent opportunities to put her lactation knowledge to practical use. She is happily married to her high school sweetheart and has resided in the Fayetteville area for more than 20 years. Her advice to those aspiring to lactation consulting is to put the family first and focus on their needs and goals, even if they don’t align with your thinking.
Ashley Culliton
Valley Physical Medicine, PA | 30 For the past eight years, Ashley Culliton has worked to improve her clients’ health and wellness through diet, exercise, and alternative medicine. She assists people who need to make lifestyle changes to address pain, fatigue, or a poor body image. Alongside serving as a health coach, Ashley co-founded Happenin’ in Haymount (HIH), which focuses on fostering a stronger Haymount community though town activities and volunteerism. One recent HIH drive collected 600 Halloween costumes for Cumberland County foster children.
When Ashley was struggling with a difficult situation as a teenager, mentors gave her direction and an office assistant job at Merrill Lynch to keep her on the right track. She never forgot that experience and now works to motivate and support her own at-risk mentees through the Find a Friend organization. Her advice to young people is to take pride in what you do and do it to the best of your ability. Also, remember that where you come from doesn’t have to dictate where you end up - that part is up to you.
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
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Deidra Debnam
Pivot Physical Therapy | 29 A former intern on the U.S. Olympic Training Center’s sports medicine team, Deidra Debnam has a passion for helping people return to optimal health and physical function. She was the youngest NC delegate elected last year to the American Physical Therapy Association’s House of Delegates, a policy and advocacy body. She aims to focus her future advocacy work on preventing injury in youth sports and replacing opioid use with beneficial physical therapy. Elsewhere in the community, Deidra serves as a clinical instructor for Methodist University’s Doctor of
Physical Therapy program and coordinates the Junior League of Fayetteville’s volunteer activities. To people aspiring to the physical therapy field, she suggests sampling the profession by shadowing physical therapists in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and sporting venues, to find what suits you best. In 2011, Deidra was a Wheel of Fortune contestant and made it to the final round but didn’t solve the final puzzle, “Wobbly Legs.” She will remember the phrase forever - especially since she works in physical therapy!
Eve Eichenholtz
Beth Israel Congregation | 34 The Rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation for the past four years, Eve Eichenholtz feels continually inspired and enriched by her experiences with her congregation. A graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary of America and The Academy for Jewish Religion, her top priority is providing pastoral care and spiritual guidance to her congregants and the community as a whole. Outside of her temple, she serves as a volunteer chaplain at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.
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The rabbi wants future ministers to know that spiritual guidance is an all-encompassing job that includes serving the needs of your temple or church, as well as the needs of the larger community. She hopes to see Fayetteville be a place where Jewish life is more easily integrated into the social fabric. She believes in embracing differences as strengths, breaking down barriers, and increasing interaction among different groups of people to promote greater understanding.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
LaKeshia Payton
Cumberland County Schools | 36 A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, LaKeshia Payton believes the values she learned in the military and her faith laid the foundation for who she is today. After working for eight years as a school social worker, she now serves as an Assistant Principal for Cumberland County Schools. When not helping to manage a school full of students, she works with the City of Fayetteville Planning Commission to develop ways to improve the quality of life for Fayetteville families. LaKeshia also has worked with various boards
focused on eradicating poverty and homelessness in the community. Her future goals include collaborating with the state and federal government to influence positive growth in school and educational policies. Throughout her life she has aimed to live with purpose and without regrets, and she seeks to inspire her family to have the same outlook. Her advice to future educators is to focus on loving the kids and work to make your lesson plans and resources kid-focused, too.
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
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Amanda Klinck
Cumberland Community Foundation | 38 After working in Liberia in 2013 with the global health nonprofit Curamericas Global, Amanda Klinck felt inspired to pursue her Master’s in Public Administration to help improve people’s lives through the nonprofit sector. After finishing her degree, she found a job at the Cumberland Community Foundation, where she attracts and develops grants for the county and trains staff at other nonprofit organizations. In the past, Amanda worked at the Fayetteville Transportation Museum and helped to launch the
City Market at the Museum. She also serves as a Community Ambassador for Operation Enduring Warrior and as a 4th Friday coordinator for the Downtown Alliance. She advises people wanting to break into nonprofit fundraising or grant writing to learn sales skills, communicate effectively, and always give a firm handshake and make eye contact with people. In her spare time, Amanda is training for the All-American Marathon and completed her first Half Ironman Triathlon last fall.
Brittany Cooper
Woodlands Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | 29 A graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration, Brittany Cooper is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator at Woodlands Nursing Home and Rehab Center. She also is a Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Health Education Specialist. Before joining the Woodlands staff, she operated a start-up mental health service with her father that provided counseling and substance abuse services in Cumberland County. Always looking for ways to help others, Brittany
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volunteered with the American Red Cross to serve people displaced by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Someone who lives with severe eczema that once left her hospitalized for five days, she considers herself an “eczema warrior.” She seeks to empower other people with the disease and let them know they are not alone. She advises people aspiring to go into health administration to pursue as many learning opportunities as possible, develop a management style based on your strengths, and never give up on your dreams.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Ian O’Brien
Epicenter Church | 32 A former elementary school teacher, Ian O’Brien took the proverbial leap of faith five years ago to become the pastor of Epicenter Church. One of his favorite parts of leading the church is the youth ministry, which allows him to play a small role in the development of young people who embody the future. Ian also serves the community through Operation Compassion, which distributes 3,000 Thanksgiving meals, and Ways 2 Love Fayetteville, a local service project with an annual goal of 20,000 collective volunteer hours.
Recently, Ian’s 18-monthold daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Parenting a child with special needs has reminded him of the importance of turning to God for strength. His advice to future church leaders is make sure you firmly believe in your calling to spiritual ministry and the capacity for youth to make change, or find other work. When he’s not at church, Ian enjoys being a tee-ball coach for the West Fayetteville Little League. Go Tigers!
Amanda Martin
Townsend Real Estate | 38 For the past six years Amanda Martin has focused on offering personalized service as a member of the Townsend Real Estate team. She enjoys working for a firm that is small enough to put clients first and large enough to use the latest technology and tools. Feeling at home in a job that requires selfmotivation and hard work, she enjoys the feeling of accomplishment she gets helping families buy and sell homes. Together with the Townsend staff, Amanda has supported area nonprofits such as the Fayetteville
Animal Protection Society, Operation Inasmuch, and school supply drives for homeless children. Having coped with the loss of her dad when she was 15, she attributes her attitude of perseverance to her mother’s example. She fondly remembers her dad’s strong work ethic as well as his favorite line of poetry: “So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.” Her own advice is to promote greater interpersonal understanding by listening more carefully to others.
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Class of 2018 Devonta Banks
Ashlee Garrison Russell
United States Army
Cumberland County Schools
on page 24
on page 22
Michael Barbera
Latoya Gordon
Barbera Solutions Consumer Experience Lab
City of Fayetteville Economic & Community Development Dept.
on page 23
on page 6
Trish Brownlee
William Haithcock
Capitol Encore Academy
Cape Fear Valley Health
on page 4
on page 8
Sean Brost
Jennifer Hammond
Cumberland County Schools
Residential Mortgage
on page 20
on page 6
Carrie Callahan
Nicole Harrell
Fayetteville VA Administration
American Tattoo Society; All American Tattoo Convention; Pitch Digital Media
on page 18
on page 24
Kaia Collins-Frye on page 22
Megaplay
Shauna Hopkins on page 27
Fayetteville Urban Ministry
Brittany Cooper
Patricia Jackson
Woodlands Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern NC
on page 14
on page 26
Ashley Culliton
Amanda Klinck
Valley Physical Medicine, PA
Cumberland Community Foundation
on page 11
on page 14
Deidra Debnam
Sarah Lester
Pivot Physical Therapy
Naturally the Best Lactation and Monkey Joe’s
on page 12
Eve Eichenholtz Judith on pageCage 12
on page 11
Kimberly Lynch
Beth Israel Congregation
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THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
on page 9
Belk
Class of 2018 Katrinna Marsden
Brittany Ray
All American Interpreters for the Deaf
Cumberland County Schools
on page 21
on page 10
Amanda Martin
Gary Rogers
Townsend Real Estate
Beasley Media Group
on page 15
on page 10
Jeremiah McLamb
Joe Salisbury
JerFilm Productions
Capitol Encore Academy
on page 5
on page 7
Natalie Munoz
Tirea Sansbury
Freedom Christian Academy
Harnett County Schools
on page 25
on page 25
Joanna Nunez
Tehra Thornton
Square One Counseling PLLC
Fusion Salon
on page 26
on page 18
Ian O’Brien
Tiffany Troupe
Epicenter Church
Fayetteville Technical Community College
on page 15
on page 19
LaKeshia Payton
Tamika Walker Kelly
Cumberland County Schools
Cumberland County Schools
on page 13
on page 21
Tiffany Pennink
Dewayne Webb
Coldwell Banker Advantage
All About Fitness Family
on page 4
on page 5
Ayax Rangel
Kendra White
United States Army
The Law Office of K.D. White
on page 20
Angela Raupp Judith Cage on page 9 Regency & Lakeshore Grande Apartments
on page 8
Taneka Williams on page 19
Cumberland County Schools
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Carrie Callahan
Fayetteville VA Administration | 35 Not many Fayetteville residents can say they met more than one president, but presidential encounters were common during Carrie Callahan’s childhood because her father was a Secret Service agent. In present day, Carrie has found her own way to serve the country by supporting blind military veterans and expanding their access to resources as the local Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator. Carrie values the experience she gains
from serving each patient or client. Before starting at the VA, she worked as the autism specialist for Cumberland County Schools, where she created an adapted sports program for The Autism Society. She also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Child Advocacy Center and plans to establish a garden club in downtown. Her advice to aspiring social workers is to prioritize self-care. Don’t lose touch with your own needs or you won’t be an effective advocate for others.
Tehra Thornton Fusion Salon | 37
A Fayetteville hair stylist for 18 years, Tehra Thornton helps clients feel beautiful while creating a sense of community at Fusion Salon in downtown. She loves connecting with clients over their children’s accomplishments, their troubles, and whatever other stories they want to share. Her business has won Best Salon in Fayetteville multiple times from Up and Coming Magazine. It also won the Mayor’s Small Business of the Month Award.
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Besides cool styles, Tehra’s salon has another unique feature: a focus on community service. The staff has hosted blood drives for the American Red Cross, collected food for Fayetteville Urban Ministries, and supported Ronald McDonald House. Her best advice is to put in the time and effort it takes to reach your full potential. She is excited that a new baseball field is coming to the area and hopes it draws more people to shop and enjoy the vibrant city of Fayetteville.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Taneka Williams
Cumberland County Schools | 39 A fourth-generation graduate of E.E. Smith Golden Bull High School, Taneka Williams helps current high school students set career goals and work toward socio-economic success as a Career Pathways Coordinator. An educator for more than 15 years, she believes supporting young people’s success not only helps to improve the local economy but also lifts people out of a cycle of poverty. Someone who has experience embracing challenges and persevering through them, Taneka
earned her Master of Education while working full-time and co-parenting two young boys. In between advising future members of the workforce, she enjoys volunteering for local nonprofit organizations such as the United Way of Cumberland County, Junior League of Fayetteville, and Cumberland County Workforce Development Youth Sub-Committee. Her advice to young educators is to remember that you have the power to shape the world and you can do this work best with a kind heart and a humble spirit.
Tiffany Troupe
Fayetteville Technical Community College | 37 Faithfully serving the U.S. Air Force for 16 years, Tiffany Troupe shifted her enlistment to parttime a few years ago in order to find new ways to positively impact lives. After earning degrees in Human Services and Adult Education and Training, she landed a career coach position at Fayetteville Technical Community College. She accomplished all of this while being a single mother to two sons, who are now 22 and 19. In the future, Tiffany hopes to help former inmates
effect positive change in their lives by creating a nonprofit organization to support women transitioning from prison back into the community. Equipped with a positive support structure to facilitate better life and family choices, she hopes to help women make the best of their second chance and reduce repeat incarceration rates. Her best advice is to pursue the appropriate education and training to reach your goals and don’t let difficult times make you give up keep going!
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Sean Brost
Cumberland County Schools | 39 For 14 years, Sean Brost has helped identify and enroll preschool students who qualify for no-cost early special education services. He enjoys introducing children to an educational setting and seeing their skills grow as they get ready for kindergarten. He also likes to support parents as they learn about special education services and begin the journey of being educational advocates for their child. Sean also serves on the Head Start Policy Council and on the
Assuring Better Child Health and Development committee through the Partnership for Children. His message to future special education teachers is teaching is challenging work that leaves many teachers feeling underpaid, overworked, or overwhelmed. However, he says teaching is also the most rewarding profession where you can be an agent of change in children’s lives. Sean’s final message is call the Early-In office at 910-484-6761 if you have educational concerns about your preschool child.
Ayax Rangel
United States Army | 32 A U.S. Army special operations forces veteran, Ayax Rangel overcame a Spanish-English language barrier to earn a graduate degree. Next, he’s setting his sights on a Ph.D. program in public policy or international studies. He hopes to provide top-notch language and cultural training to future Special Forces operators so they can be effective and culturally sensitive when engaging with allies. Ayax is active in the Fayetteville community as a member of a Latino
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advocacy group and volunteer soccer coach. He also supports Fayetteville Technical Community College, where he has served as an instructor and host for its TV show “Punto de Encuentro.” An enthusiastic karaoke singer, Ayax enjoys going to the theater with his wife and hopes to improve his singing talent enough to join a cast. His best advice is to recognize your weaknesses and work to overcome them by reaching out to people you trust for help.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Katrinna Marsden
All American Interpreters for the Deaf | 36 In addition to working as an American Sign Language Interpreter and advocate for the deaf for more than three years, Katrinna Marsden serves on the Fayetteville PRIDE Board of Executives. The mission of Fayetteville PRIDE is to celebrate community diversity, eliminate discrimination, and provide a support and resource network to the LGBTQ community. In the future, she hopes to open a dedicated PRIDE community center and expand its membership and event calendar. Katrinna also has experience supporting nonprofit
organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, Ronald McDonald House, and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her chief focus moving forward is to help make Fayetteville a community that is welcoming and safe for everyone, regardless of their differences. She suggests that people who want to contribute to social change find a cause they are passionate about and make a career out of it. An interesting fact about Katrinna’s background is her ancestry traces back to the beginning days of the Jamestown settlement.
Tamika Walker Kelly
Cumberland County Schools | 34 A piano and violin player as well as a vocal musician, Tamika Kelly has shared her love of music with students for 11 years. Recognized multiple times for her outstanding work in music education, her honors include being named Teacher of the Year at Morganton Road Elementary School, Teacher of the Year in Westover School District, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Staff Member of the Year in Cumberland County. As someone who passionately advocates for public education, Tamika serves as the Regional Director at the North Carolina
Association of Educators, where she organizes trainings and advocacy efforts across 16 counties. Not someone who tires easily, Tamika also is VicePresident of the Cumberland County Association of Educators. She gives back to the community by mentoring young women and helping to award college scholarships through the Ebony Pearl Mentoring and Scholarship Program. Her best advice is to remember how interconnected we are as people and that we achieve the most when we look past our differences to find common ground and work together.
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Ashlee Garrison Russell
Cumberland County Schools | 31 Awarded the Cumberland County Schools Teacher of the Year award for 20152016, Ashlee Russell is the daughter of a Cumberland County AIG teacher and an Air Force retiree. In addition to teaching students for nine years, she writes the Academic Access column in City View Family Magazine and serves on the board for the School of Hope for children with autism. Ashlee felt inspired to pursue a career in education by the founder of School of Hope, Amy
Sparks, who also was her second grade teacher. Amy served as a mentor and taught Ashlee about infusing everyday learning with joy and laughter. Ashlee’s advice to aspiring educators is to push yourself to think beyond what has always been done and embrace every opportunity for growth and learning! She and her husband are pursuing a new opportunity this month as they launch an online jewelry boutique called Southern Belle Jewelry Bar.
Kaia Collins-Frye
Megaplay; Liberty Healthcare | 39 The co-owner of Megaplay, Kaia Collins-Frye now will split her time between managing the popular indoor playground and caring for senior citizens as a newly Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with Liberty Healthcare. In addition to working in the healthcare field, her future plans include expanding Megaplay to new market areas and enhancing the area’s cultural arts offerings through her work on the Cape Fear Regional Theatre board. Always searching for a new
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way to give back, Kaia does volunteer work with the Junior League of Fayetteville, an organization that partners with other groups to improve children’s health and welfare. She also sits on the board for the Spring Lake Chamber of Commerce, where she collaborates with others on ways to stimulate economic development. Her best advice for aspiring business owners is to find something you feel passionate about and take time every day to make progress toward your goals.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Michael Barbera
Barbera Solutions | Consumer Experience Lab | 35 For the past five years, Michael Barbera has applied his training in behavioral science and social psychology to help businesses design improved customer experiences. Behavioral science not only benefits businesses, but it also can help change people’s behavior and save lives. For instance, Barbera Solutions is advocating for changes to the way we name hurricanes so more people pay attention to evacuation orders. For instance, the name “Matthew” doesn’t inspire people to flee the same way “Hurricane
Deathtron 3000” would. A veteran of the Armed Forces, Michael overcame difficulties with public speaking to achieve the business executive position he holds today. To achieve your dreams, he advises you to ignore people who tell you things like “no”, “you can’t,” or “don’t.” He also believes that reducing the paycheck gap between lowincome and high-income households would do the community a lot of good. In 2013, he checked an item off his bucket list when he rode a motorcycle to the Arctic Circle.
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Devonta Banks
United States Army | 27 Devonta Banks is an Army Captain and avid science-fiction reader whose business plans include growing a home construction and renovation business. He hopes to add beauty to Fayetteville and contribute to its real estate economy. Starting with his childhood of limited means and throughout his life, he has demonstrated tenacity in working toward his goals and humility in reaching out to mentors to ask for their support.
Devonta’s advice to young people is try to do more than just pass the time. Instead, view the time you have as a limitless opportunity to know yourself better and chart the path you want to take. He emphasizes that only you can limit your dreams or who you become - so aim high. One positive change he would like to see in the community is greater access to quality education. He fears that uneven access to a good education hinders some youth who deserve better opportunities.
Nicole Harrell
American Tattoo Society | 35 Nicole Harrell found the 10 years she spent teaching very rewarding, especially the times she saw children’s eyes light up when they learned new skills. As an educator Nicole wore many hats, including School Assessment Data Interpreter, School Improvement team chair, and Intervention Support Specialist for low-performing students. Making the right decision for her family, Nicole put her career in education on hold to focus on growing her small businesses, which include the American Tattoo Society, The All American Tattoo Convention, and Pitch Digital Media.
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In the near future, Nicole hopes to attract leading tattoo artists to Fayetteville to provide topquality work to local military service members. Eventually, she wants to expand the American Tattoo Society to multiple locations near other military bases. A graduate of Fayetteville State University, she has worked with the Fort Bragg Fisher House and Operation Tattooing Freedom, which helps veterans recover from deployment and reintegrate into society through enjoyment of tattoo art. Her advice to aspiring business owners is to think big and appreciate that acquiring wisdom is the highest achievement.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Natalie Munoz
Freedom Christian Academy | 30 With a bachelor’s in Mathematics Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Natalie Munoz knew she had found the place she was meant to be when she joined the staff of Freedom Christian Academy in 2012. Quickly proving her administrative capabilities, Natalie was promoted to principal of the school in 2015. A previous winner of the Q98 Teacher of the Month recognition, she loves that she can still teach a class in addition to administrative work to retain her connection to students and the classroom.
Together with education, Natalie’s calling is in worship and youth ministry. The child of a church pastor, she grew up with a close-knit faith community and even became the church’s piano player at the age of 11. Soon, she also served as youth ministry leader and has continued to follow her passion for ministry leadership through college and to present day. Her advice to young educators is to value integrity and standing up for what’s right, no matter what people around you are doing. Remember to keep focused on the impact you are making with future leaders.
Tirea Sansbury
Harnett County Schools | 39 In the field of education for 17 years, Tirea Sansbury is currently a special education teacher at Overhills Middle School. She felt called to be an educator and believes teachers are successful when they touch the lives of young people and inspire them to keep going, try a little harder, and believe in themselves. Looking to the future, she would like to see more collaboration between schools and the community to reduce dropout and teenage pregnancy rates. Deeply affected by the loss
of her oldest sister Tonya in 2011, Tirea remembers her sister as a loving, selfless, resilient, and courageous person despite facing two diseases. She carries on her sister’s memory by living life with the same kind of passion, which she likens to joyfully dancing in the rain. She advises young teachers to write down the reasons why you chose teaching for a career and look at them often. Also, be willing to ask questions, focus on teaching the whole child, and prepare for a lifetime of learning.
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Joanna Nunez
Square One Counseling PLLC | 37 One of the only civilians in a family full of service members, Joanna Nunez started her counseling career as a Substance Abuse Counselor for the Army. Handling 175 clients per month, she learned how to be resourceful and stay organized. She used those skills to establish her own counseling practice as well as the Quaker House Domestic Violence Survivors Program. She also is the author of a non-fiction book about PTSD and combat veterans called “Finding Peace with PTSD.”
Always keeping busy, Joanna also coordinates outreach work for the NC Chapter of the ALS Association and even works some weekends at the City Center Gallery and Books. When time allows, she works on her new novel about the moral injuries soldiers suffer that can lead to PTSD. Her vision for improving the community includes shifting from a “me” mentality to a team or village mentality, where people are more selfless and truly care for others who need help.
Patricia Jackson
Second Harvest Food Bank | 37 Patricia Jackson is a poetryloving Army veteran who also enjoys making custom cakes like Cake Boss. Driven by the values of loyalty, duty, respect, and selfless service learned from her military experience, Patricia rose out of childhood poverty by working hard to pursue her education while serving her country. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Management, she currently works to feed the community at the Second Harvest Food Bank.
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To people passionate about eliminating hunger, Patricia suggests you learn as much as you can about hunger, poverty, and coexisting problems like lack of affordable housing, poor health, and social isolation. When she’s not working, she’s raising three boys who teach her to give freely and say “yes” to adventure. Her best advice, drawn from her own experience, is you don’t have to be a product of your circumstances, just find the strength to never give up on your dreams.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Shauna Hopkins
Fayetteville Urban Ministry | 39 Shauna Hopkins has helped set hundreds of area youth on a path to success during her 18 years with the Fayetteville Urban Ministry’s Find-A-Friend (FAF) program. The program coordinator for the past six years, she has seen FAF grow from serving 60 at-risk children and teens per year to more than 200 last year. Through participating in the multiple afterschool activities and other support services Shauna coordinates, 96 percent of FAF participants stay in school and out of trouble.
She wants to continue to grow the FAF program as it moves into its brand new youth enrichment center. She envisions adding services five days per week and expanding youth trainings to include college preparation and adult life skills. Grateful for her own circle of support, Shauna’s best advice is to surround yourself with positive people who encourage you and challenge you to be your best self. A short story author in her spare time, she also is a two-time winner of the North Carolina Juvenile Services Association Lip Synch Battle.
HOW TO NOMINATE Nominations for the 2019 class of The Fayetteville Observer’s 40 Under 40 will begin in December at fayobserver.com/40under40 2018
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2018 2018
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Class of 2017
Amethyst Albert LeJuane Bowens Jason Brady Keri Brockett Carelas Tamara Brothers Janet Brown Jeremy Calhoun Nichole Cotton Nashjeta Dhima Mari-Newton Dixon
Hanah Ehrenreich Caitlin Evans Gerard Falls Erica Fenner-McAdoo Albeiro Florez Martina Graham Bruce Hammill Angela Hill Pamela Jacobs Nichole Johnson
Todd Joyce Kyrstin Krist Mary Beth MacKenzie Megan Maxwell Kenjuana McCray Christen Miller Annette O’Keefe Michael Pennink Brandon Plotnick Jalisha Pone
Christie Poteet Candice Richardson Beth Ruff V. Lee Spruill Jackie Stickley Martina Sconiers-Talbert Kelly Taylor Henry Tyson Tiffany Whitfield LaVar Wright
Class of 2016
Nuchelle Atkinson Janene Aul Shannon Battle Christina Perry Beard Dr. Emma Bentham Amie Brewer Stacia Hall Britton Judith Cage Dwayne Cochran James Cook
Shantal Covington Emily Cross Keri D. Dickson Murray O. Duggins Jr. Thomas R. Farrow Jr. Wakenia George McBryde Grannis Shahnee Haire Kelly Harris Will Harris
Lexi Hasapis Hakim Isler Christina James Sonny Kelly Jolee Fedak Marsh Kenneth Mayner Shawn Morris Amy Navejas Kimmi Nettles Jessica L. Osnoe
Patrick Smith Kourtney D. Smith Nicole Suarez Caroline C. Sumpter Samantha Thompson Bryan Till Nathan Walls Lin Wheeler Pamela Williams Takeisha Wilson
Class of 2015
Melissa Aguirre Shanita Anderson Marlow Artis Ryan Aul Landon Bentham Dr. Clay Britton Tamara Bryant Nicole Carr Felicia Crittenden Maj. Kurtis Darden
Chris Driver Jeremy Fiebig Rev. Scott Foster Wesley Fountain James Grafstrom Caroline Gregory Dr. Molly Guy Emily Hare Kelly Harrison Michele Horn
Dr. Jeremy Hustwit Johnny Ivey Maria Jimenez Nathaniel Johnson Robert Kitchen Miriam Landru Kelly Lindsay Allen Long Machelle McNeil Jelisa Montalvo
Tammy Pippen Dana Pulliam Sakiyna Ragland Maj. Lisa Ray Ruben Reyes Dr. Kimberly Scruton Nathan Smith Stephen Taft Allen Thomas Karen Tisdale
Class of 2014
ALUMNI DIRECTORY
Wells Alderman Dr. Pia Anderson-Duncan Soula M. Bantsolas Kenneth Barefoot William Blanton Dr. Kenyon Mala Chavis Dolly Huffman Clayton Dia M. Collins Demetria Davis Christopher D. Foster
Maria Adams Fulcher Brian E. Gaskell Jennifer A. Gasque Thomas Green Van W. Gunter David Haggerty Brandon Harrell William Ryan Harrell Tara Brisson Hinton Dr. Stephanie Hooper Marosek
Suzy Hrabovsky Wendy Hustwit Tanisha R. James Rodney E. “Rod” Jenkins Channing Jones Mary Kinney Robert A. “Tony” Lockamy Brittany S. McLaurin Mandy Peele McMillan Lt. Col. Chanda Mofu
Rev. Robin Kay Monk Self Sam Morrison Kevin Paul L. Ron Pringle Donald G. Rush Robert M. “Bobby” Sparks Monica Brown Stanford Dr. LaShonda Williamson Erika Suzanne Taylor Ashley Thompson
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THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Matthew Leclercq Dr. Emily Lenning Amanda Lockamy Michele Macumber Daniel Manley Meagan McCabe Andrew McCarthy Sametris McKenney Doris Munoz Dr. Sheel Patel
Brandon Price LaVondra Pye Kimberly Rauscher Sublett SarahMarie Stewart Jennifer Taft Aaron Thomas Dr. Danielle Thomas-Taylor Max Weinstein Heather Wilkerson Dr. Shanita Wendette Wooten
Samantha Angarita Kristin S. Braswell Tommy Burns Leonna Byrd Nichole Canady Crystal Cavalier Melody Chalmers Lisa Childers Joseph Coker Ruthie Dent
Capt. Jarvora Duncan Teresa Elliott Jane Fields Deno Frangakis Natalie Fryer Lt. Matthew Hurley Mandy Hurley Jennifer Ingle Brittany A. Jackson Wyatt Jenkins
Brooke Johnson Kristin McCarthy, CFP® Juelle McDonald Karen McLeod Bryan Moore Chris Rey Andrea Royster David Russell Stacy Sanders Heather Scarboro
Natasha Scott David Sessoms Jennifer Sullivan 1Lt. Carlos Swan Vance Townsend Kelly Twedell Mark Wamsher Johnny Wilson Dr. Marian Wooten
Jeremy Aagard Myra L. Allen Charlie Allen Dr. Patrice Barber Capt. Steven Barnard Frances Barragan Alan Buffaloe Jose Coker Michelle Courie Marcus Cox
Kady-Ann Davy Jennifer deViere Emily Dickens Sonya Evans Oates Daniel Fair Dr. Shanessa Fenner Scott Flowers John Freudenberg Phillip Gilfus Derick Graham
Latonya Hankins Jackson Howard Hilton Hutchens Thaddeus Jenkins Carrie King Judge Toni King Wendy Lowery Donna Mansfield Jami McLaughlin Kristie Meave Allen
Peter Pappas Louis Patalano Reshma Patel Beal Nicholas Perkins Jason Poole Lorna Ricotta Shannon Shurko Seema Slehria Todd Sullivan Billy West
Class of 2011
FayObserver.com | Saturday, March 10, 2018
Class of 2012
Wade Duggins April Fekete Morgan Jennifer Fincher Kamina Fitzgerald Garret Fulcher Jason Hairr Chekea Hinton-Mack Kristi Ivey Christina Kenon Victor Landry
Class of 2013
Malia Kalua Allen Kelly A. Blazey Capt. Matt Brown Dr. Rebecca Calhoun Lauren Carr Charles “Ben” Chambers Jasmine Coleman James Davis Dachia Davis Inda Dodson
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2018 Rising Star
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Lataiviya graduated from E.E. Smith High School with several academic scholarships and now attends Chowan University with a major in Psychology. In her first semester of school, she made the Dean’s List and received an invitation to the Honors College Program.
La’Taiviya Bland
Chowan University | 18
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In addition to Lataiviya’s academic achievement, she also serves the Future Endeavors Life Program – a program designed to help at-risk and willing youth in the areas of education, entrepreneurship, basic life skills, art therapy, and community service. She
has completed more than 500 community service hours within the organization by volunteering as a Teen Leader to the outreach and disaster program during Hurricanes Matthew and Harvey. She has also assisted with the boxes of Hope Food Drive Collection that fed 300 families for Thanksgiving; the Back to School Drive providing 1,000 children with school supplies each year; Bags of Hope for the homeless, and much more. At a young age, she has really demonstrated dedication, determination, and leadership.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE
Rising Star Runner Up
Avery Pickett
Cape Fear High School | 16
Rising Star Honourable Mention
Lyla Thornton
Freedom Christian Academy | 9
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THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER’S 40 UNDER 40 | PRESENTED BY CADILLAC OF FAYETTEVILLE