2025

 Zymir “Zeus” Batts is the son of Shante and Cedric Batts and a 2025 graduate of Ne w Hanover High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. A standout multi-sport athlete, Zeus excelled as both a wide receiver on the football field and a guard on the basketball court. He earned multiple All-Conference selections in both sports, served as captain in football and basketball, and was honored with the 2023 Wildcat Football Trey Barrett Award for dedication, scholarship, and performance. Off the field, Zeus maintained a 3.8 GPA and was a consistent Honor Roll student, ranking in the top third of his class. He is known for his leadership, teamwork, and ability to mentor younger athletes. Zeus has also made a significant impact in his community, volunteering extensively as an EC Buddy for events such as the Special Olympics, Unified Kickball and Basketball, Bryson Buddies, and Readers for Leaders at Snipes Elementary. His commitment to service reflects the same determination and dedication he brings to athletics. Zeus plans to attend Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, where he plays wide receiver for the men’s football team. He aspires to become a professional athlete while also pursuing his passion for cooking and entrepreneurship.

 Kolbe Little is the son of Luke and Nikki Little and a proud 2025 graduate of Laney High School, where he earned both academic and athletic honors. During his time at Laney, Kolbe was an active member of the student body, serving one year on the Student Government Association and participating in the Beta Club. He was a three-year varsity football player and contributed to the Laney baseball program for three years. Kolbe was selected as the starting quarterback for the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game—one of only two Laney athletes chosen for the prestigious team. He was named First Team All-Conference in both 2023 and 2024 by the conference coaches. His leadership on and off the field played a vital role in guiding the Laney football program to its most successful season in school history during 2023–2024. In addition to his athletic and academic achievements, Kolbe has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. He volunteered with the Wilmington Marathon for four consecutive years and contributed to various service projects throughout the Wilmington area. While living in the foothills of North Carolina during middle school, he worked alongside his mother to organize, collect, and deliver cleaning supplies to support communities in southeastern North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Florence. Kolbe’s dedication, leadership, and integrity have left a lasting impact on the Laney community

Isaiah Newkirk is the son of Samuel and Vera Newkirk and a 2025 graduate of John T. Hoggard High School. During his senior year, Isaiah balanced varsity football, rugby, managing the men’s basketball team, and refereeing flag football, all while challenging himself with a rigorous academic schedule and working at Dick’s Sporting Goods as a sales associate. Isaiah was recognized on the all-conference team and served as captain of the varsity football team as a running back. He led the Senior “Tell the Truth” Tuesday messages each week and he led the team prayer time after practice each day. He enjoyed reaching out to younger players on the team and encouraging them. In addition to his involvement with many sports, Isaiah was a 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina mentee, and he enjoyed volunteering with the Unified Club, which works with special needs students, the Special Olympics, and Bryson's Buddies Games. Isaiah also served with fellow teammates in the Sleep in Heavenly Peace service project; he represented Hoggard High School as an Elementary School Morning Greeter at local elementary schools; and he served as a member of the Senior Leadership Council. This Spring, Isaiah was selected by the school superintendent to visit the Capital to speak with our senators and legislators about the importance of public schools. Isaiah’s volunteerism extended beyond school and included the church’s homeless outreach, the church's media team, and the Good Shepherd Center's meal service. Culminating his senior year, Isaiah was recognized for outstanding service to John T. Hoggard High School and induction into the Order of the Viking. Isaiah will be attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to study pre-nursing.derlying causes and contributing factors.

  Sawyer Rigdon is the daughter of Ron & Stacey Rigdon, and a proud graduate of Eugene Ashley’s Class of 2025. Despite facing challenges in the form of a learning disability diagnosed at the age of 8, Sawyer has persevered and maintained a GPA above 3.0. Sawyer’s passion lies in sports, particularly basketball, flag football, and softball, all of which she played at the varsity level. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to read a football field with precision. This skill, coupled with an arm capable of throwing a 35-yard pass effortlessly, has made her a valuable asset on the field. Although her primary focus is at quarterback, she is versatile and can excel in defensive positions as well. Her journey in flag football began at the age of 8, playing alongside boys until she aged out a few years ago. The emergence of Women's Flag Football in North Carolina high schools reignited her love for the game. In their inaugural season, Sawyer threw an impressive 22 touchdowns, scored one through a run, and even intercepted a pass for a touchdown. Collectively, her team dominated, outscoring opponents 325-87. Sawyer led the Ashley’s girls Flag Football team to winning the 1st ever State Championship where she was named MVP. She is excited to attend Barton College where she will be studying Exercise Science and playing Flag Football for the Conference Carolinas inaugural season.

Cadence is the daughter of Jeff and Dana Eder and a 2024 graduate from Eugene Ashley High School. 

Cadence graduated top 5 academically in her senior class of 2024 while also balancing sports and extracurriculars. During high school, Cadence was captain of the cross country and swim teams and competed in three varsity sports throughout her time at Ashley: cross country, swim team, and track and field. She received the Rookie of the Year Award, Workhorse Award, and 4-year Eagle Award throughout her time on the cross country team and also received the Rising Star Award from the swim team. 

Cadence has a passion for environmental and marine conservation, which she nurtured through clubs, volunteering, and internships. She was a member of the Ashley High School Marine Science Academy, President and Founder of the Ashley Surfrider Foundation Club, and a member of Beta Club and National Honor Society. Cadence volunteered with the Fort Fisher Aquarium, Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project, and the Northside Elite Aquatics Foundation, which teaches free swim lessons to underserved members of the community. She also completed an internship with the Pleasure Island Sea Turtle Project and a junior internship with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Cadence is attending the University of Delaware majoring in Marine Sciences while continuing her academic journey in the Honors College and Distinguished Scholars Program.  

ide education and resources to support mental health and wellness in our community.

Josiah Gillespie is the son of Daniel and Lisa Gillespie and a 2024 graduate of Hoggard High School. 

Josiah balanced a full life of family, church, work, and school while also starting on Hoggard’s football, basketball, and baseball teams. He was recognized on all conference teams in all three sports and served as a captain on the football team. Josiah works alongside his father and brothers in a family start up business named after his grandfather making fixed blade knives. He served as a chief officer in the company as well as an integral part of production. He challenged himself academically through AP classes and a dual enrollment schedule at Hoggard and Cape Fear Community College and was a member of the National Honor Society. 

Josiah has volunteered faithfully in his church all through high school and volunteered at Winter Park Optimist Baseball and Halo Hoops Basketball. In the fall of 2024, Josiah will start working as an electrical technician while continuing to grow the family knife making business..

Madison Joy is the daughter of Frank and Erin Joy. She graduated top 10 in her class at Laney High School while serving as Student Body President. She was also an active member of the STEM club and national honor society. She was a part of Laney’s varsity swim team all four years, serving as co-captain during her senior year.  She earned all-conference first team on the swim team and scholar athlete all four years and competed at states her sophomore, junior, and senior year. She also achieved the USA Swimming Scholastic All American award while competing at the national level. She is a long-time volunteer and employee of NSEA swim foundation where she gives free swim lessons to the Wilmington community spreading awareness of water safety and introducing all ages to the sport she loves so much.  Madison is attending East Carolina University working towards an Electrical Engineering Degree while also competing in Division 1 Swimming. a top priority and individuals can access the resources they need to achieve optimal well-being.

Lillee Moore is the daughter of Chris and Aimee Moore and a 2024 graduate of New Hanover High School graduating in the top ten percent academically in her senior class. Lillee was able to balance a busy schedule of school and work between attending New Hanover High School, Cape Fear Community College, playing varsity volleyball, playing club volleyball, volunteering as a volleyball coach at Noble Middle School, being a score keeper at UNCW, working at Hanover Seaside Club, and working PT’s Grill. She was selected for all conference Volleyball Junior and Senior Years. Lillee was Captain for NHHS Volleyball her Senior Year. Lillee was a Member of National Honor Society, a Beta Club Member, Treasure for the SAVE Promise Club, Co-President of the Cats Club, and Co-President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). Lillee was able to combine her love of sports and people to be a positive role model and leader on and off the court at New Hanover High School. Lillee is attending UNC Wilmington to pursue a nursing degree while continuing to be active in her community making a difference in the lives of others. p priority and individuals can access the resources they need to achieve optimal well-being.

Kenan Everhart is the son of Hollie and Phil Everhart and a 2023 graduate of Eugene Ashley High School, graduating in the top ten academically in his senior class. 

As a team captain, Kenan played three varsity sports while at Ashley in Basketball, Track and Field, and Lacrosse.  He was selected for the 2023 MEC Conference Men’s Lacrosse Player of the Year and the 2023 NC High School Association – First Team All State Men’s Lacrosse Team.  Kenan is a finalist for the NC High School Boy’s Lacrosse Player of the Year Award.  

Kenan’s goal is to inspire our youth athletes to be leaders and understand what is important – how to give back to your community.   

Kenan will be attending the University of Loyola, Maryland in the fall of 2023 to play Division 1 Collegiate Lacrosse.  

Kenan serves as the President/Founder of Kids-Helping-Kids, a local non-profit program focused on teaching kids how to help other kids.  For over ten years, Kids-Helping-Kids has helped hundreds of underprivileged kids in our community receive gifts at Christmas. 

Cole Manning is the son of Rossie and Hillary Manning and a 2023 graduate of Hoggard High School. 

Cole is an active member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Young Life and Unified Club.  

He balanced playing varsity Football and Baseball while maintaining a challenging dual enrollment schedule at Hoggard and Cape Fear Community College.   

Serving as Team Captain for Football in his senior year, he was a member of the team’s Leadership Council and thrived in his role providing guidance and mentorship to teammates. 

Cole has been a long-time volunteer and player at Winter Park Optimist Baseball.  He has taken a lead roll in operations and volunteer recruitment for the club’s annual Christmas Tree Lot which raises funds for the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw and other local charities.  Cole has also served as a volunteer assistant for youth baseball tryouts every spring season.  Combining his love of sports with servant leadership, Cole has volunteered at the Special Olympics and Miracle League, an accessible baseball league for children and adults living with disabilities. 

In the fall of 2023, Cole will be attending Clemson University Bridge Program, majoring in pre-business.  

 Mason Vaughan is the son of Heath and Adrienne Vaughan and a 2022 graduate of Laney High School, graduating first academically in the senior class. Mason serves as Student Body President and represented Laney High School at the Hugh O’Brian Leadership Conference and Tar Heel Boys’ State. He is a four-year varsity athlete in Lacrosse and Football. As Vice President of the National Honor Society, Mason leads a peer tutoring program at Laney High School and is a member of the School Improvement Team. Mason is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hunting and fishing. He is an advocate for conservation and stewardship of our waterways. He has served the community as a Cape Fear Creek Watcher and through community clean-ups and hurricane relief efforts. .

Sara Frances Butler is the daughter of Algernon and Jenna Butler and a 2022 graduate of the Lyceum Academy at New Hanover High School. A four-year starter on the varsity tennis team, Sara Frances was also team captain her Junior and Senior years. She was a four time all conference and all area player and played in the NCHSAA 3A tennis state championships and the NCHSAA individual 4A doubles state championships. Sara Frances was a varsity cheerleader during her freshman and sophomore years, followed by joining the varsity girls’ basketball team her junior and senior years. Sara Frances’s coaches noted her work ethic, leadership, and accountability. Sara Frances was the NHHS Chief Junior Marshall in 2021. She spent her high school years as a tutor and mentor in the Latino community through the El Cuerpo ministry and ESL program at NHHS. Sara Frances founded the NHHS Yoga club and is a member of the Beta Club, National Honors Society, Cats Club, Wilmington Chapter of the National Charity League and “Going Beyond the Pink” Junior Board. Sara Frances is a founding member of the New Hanover County “Student Voices” program which gives students a voice in the decisions made by New Hanover County school leaders and New Hanover County School Board.