Karell Francis
Senior, Durham School of the Arts
Karell Francis says one of the most important life lessons he has learned is “how to fulfill the responsibilities placed upon me while still living life to the fullest…At times, it can be difficult and overwhelming to manage the expectations placed on me, but striking that balance is something I continue to work toward and take pride in.”
Karell has managed those high expectations well, largely due to the influence of his grandfather, though he credits many family members for all of the guidance he has received.
“It is extremely difficult to choose a single individual who has had a significant impact on my life, especially considering the many family members, friends, and guardians who have helped shape me into the person I am today. Despite this challenge, if I had to choose one person, it would be my grandfather. He truly emphasized and helped me understand the importance of education. He also taught me how to carry myself as a young man, which is an essential value in our society,” said Karell.
His science teacher, Alexis Caldwell, concurs.
"Karell is the type of student that greets just about anyone and everyone in the halls with a handshake. He models a strong work ethic and motivates other students to take on challenges with confidence when they otherwise might not feel capable. He has a natural inclination to include others. Karell is an uplifter," said Caldwell.
His plans are to attend Howard University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science or enroll in the school’s six-year pre-law track. That program allows students to earn their bachelor’s degree in three years and enter law school a year early. After earning his degrees, he wants to become a corporate lawyer specializing in contractual agreements. If he chooses a minor, it would likely be sports management or business to support his dream of becoming a sports agent.
Karell loves basketball, and was a member of his high school basketball team for three of his four years. He’s played for several AAU organizations and has been watching basketball since the age of three.
“It is undeniably one of the most important parts of my life,” he said. “My other, less rigorous hobbies include gaming, which is a great stress reliever, and gardening, which I enjoy because I like organic food and view many of the plants I grow as beautiful, natural art forms. Lastly, writing is a meaningful part of my life. I’ve been writing creatively since I was about twelve years old, and I love it because it helps me express myself both emotionally and artistically.”
But most important to him are his family and community, he said.
“What motivates me most is my desire to support my family and give back to the community I come from. From a young age, I understood the idea that it takes “a village” to raise a child, and I am incredibly grateful for the many people who have positively influenced my life. Nothing inspires me more than the thought of being able to give back to the community that helped me become who I am today,” said Karell.
Dr. Teresa Daye, his principal, says that “Karell brings a sense of warmth and reliability that makes him an invaluable member of our school community. Beyond his impressive work ethic, Karell is known for his kindness and thoughtfulness. He is the type of student who fosters positivity in every environment he enters.”
Madeline Spring
Sophomore, Ignite! Online Academy
Madeline Spring already knows her purpose: to help people, and to enhance their capacity for happiness. The sophomore Ignite! Online Academy student literally has high expectations for herself – she’s an aerial silk athlete who plans to earn a medical degree after matriculating to undergraduate school at UNC-Chapel Hill with her aim toward becoming a pediatrician.
“Seeing people happy and helping people get to where they need to go are some of my bigger motivators,” Madeline said. She said she’s always been one to want to help others. As a younger girl, she said she took a Red Cross babysitting and CPR class to be her “mommy’s helper.” After earning that credential, she started her own babysitting business, which she considers one of her biggest accomplishments so far.
Madeline personifies the philosophy of helping others, according to Nicole Emmert, her English teacher, and Crystal Medlin, her principal. She serves as a volunteer teaching assistant in her English 3 class, and leads a review of the school’s Daily Dose, which features an end-of-course question in each class. She also takes lead with the teacher-created Canva announcements. Affectionately nicknamed Maddie, she also offers help to her peers in her own virtual breakout room.
She pushes through anxiety by facing that challenge head-on, and acknowledges that she’s made good friendships along the way by facing her fears.
“Maddie is an excellent role model and enjoys learning,” her principal notes.
Emmert adds, “Madeline Spring is a shining example of leadership, determination, and heart. Her commitment to academic excellence and her willingness to support her peers make her a standout in our school community.”
For Madeline, her mother stands out as the one who, in turn, has impacted her life greatly.
“I know it’s been used many times before, but my mother has had the biggest impact on me. She has always provided me with a loving, affirmative environment that has helped me grow my heart and mind to the fullest,” she said.
Well-rounded, Madeline enjoys reading, drawing, and crocheting, loves babysitting, and serving as a camp counselor. She’s also earned Senior Girl Scout status, and has proudly assisted with a recent Girl Scout Camporee that she thinks “went pretty well!”
Erick Fuentes Andino
Senior, Jordan High School
Erick Fuentes says his mother is the reason that his future is bright. After graduating from Jordan High School, he plans to become a lawyer after matriculating to Campbell University to study criminal justice and graduating from law school.
“My mother is the person who has made the most impact on my life. This is because she has guided me to success and with me as a disabled person, she taught me everything I needed to be who I am today and the best person possible,” said Erick.
Also an athlete, Erick wants to continue his athletic career as an adult wheelchair basketball player in the NWBA. He’s played wheelchair basketball on a squad for the past three years. He has also served as a student wrestling manager, and is a member of the school’s Student Government program, and the AVID program.
“The thing that motivates me the most is my family and friends which is why I pushed for college and especially because certain people doubted me and thought I would never get this far,” he said.
But he’s aiming high. “A success for me right now would be getting into college and a challenge would be maintaining my performances in school,” Erick said.
“Erick is a driven and committed student who optimizes every opportunity presented to him. His passion for service and learning has led him to engage and organize various programs that benefit our community. [He] has consistently epitomized what it means to SOAR (Support Fellow Falcons, Optimize Opportunities, Appropriately Respond, and Respect the Community) during his four years at Jordan. Erick has never faltered from Jordan's goal of ensuring that each student graduates on time and with options as he has excelled academically and athletically,” said his teacher, Dorcas Gyekye.
Lacey Baker
Sophomore, The School for Creative Studies
After graduation in two years, Lacey Baker says she’s headed to college to pursue psychology after graduating from the School for Creative Studies. A star pupil with a track record of As and Bs spanning the entire duration of her academic tenure, she’s also proud of the personal progress she's made as a person who says she’s struggled with anxiety.
“I have worked very hard to stay connected with people. Being outgoing requires a lot of work. Now I have a lot of friends and they don't realize how much work it takes for me to interact with everyone,” said Baker.
This is quite an accomplishment considering a tremendously personal loss in elementary school.
“I lost my mom when I was in first grade so ultimately my entire family has impacted my life by caring for me and supporting me through hard times,” she said.
She’s researching UNC-Greensboro, NC A&T University, and Fayetteville State University, among other colleges and is also interested in photography as an avocation. Her mission is to strive for excellence in whatever she does, maintain her balance by spending time with her friends, and “make my family proud,” she said.
That’s probably the least of her worries.
Lacey is a member of the National Honor Society, and the Student of the Month designation is “a recognition richly deserved for her remarkable blend of ambition, talent, and community spirit,” said her principal Chaundra Clay.
Her music production teacher adds, “Lacey is more than a high-achieving student with a 4.18 GPA; she is a forward-thinking visionary who “isn’t waiting for the future, she’s actively shaping it. With a meticulously crafted life calendar, Lacey strategically aligns her daily tasks with her long-term goals, preparing herself for the three colleges she’s already set her sights on and identifying part-time jobs to support her ambitions.”
That doesn’t sound like a person who puts things off but she admits she’s overcome a struggle with procrastination. However, she pushes through. She’s made missionary trips with her church, enjoys reading, and playing the bass guitar. She’s written and performed three original songs with that bass guitar, producing a globally streamed music album as part of a Music and Audio Production class last fall.
Deborah Granger, Lacey’s science teacher, describes her as a student whose “ambition resonates far beyond her years,” highlighting her exceptional work in the school’s set design crew. Lacey’s precision in calculating square footage and executing complex designs not only showcases her sharp math skills but also reflects her commitment to excellence in every endeavor.”
Whether she’s collaborating with peers on a haunted house set or contributing to World Changers USA each summer by building porches and painting houses, Lacey Baker embodies a proactive, purposeful approach to life – a quality that both Mr. Evans and Ms. Granger agree makes her an outstanding choice for this honor, according to Principal Clay.