Taylor Epps, Roanoke Rapids High School. While she may be a bit quiet at first, it doesn’t take long for Taylor to show her outgoing, talkative side. She is a member of DECA and of the women’s soccer team at RRHS. Team 2019 is full of soccer players… and I think if we took the field together, we’d be pretty good! HMUA: Sa’real Copeland

Kamryn Little, Roanoke Rapids High School. This sweet girl is the definition of the cliché “as pretty on the outside as she is on the inside.” She a kind heart, a gentle spirit, but is absolutely hilarious. HMUA: Sa’real Copeland

Sydney Connell, Roanoke Rapids High School. I have known and loved Sydney all her life… her momma was my first friend when we moved to the United States! Because Sydney is so kind, and outgoing, I knew I could count on her to reach out to the out-of-town members of Team 2019 and make them feel welcomed. She didn’t let me down! HMUA: Claire Dickens

Lauren Marting, Garner Magnet High School. There is so much I could tell you about Lauren: she is a year-round soccer player and is fully immersed in her high school experience, she is a twin, and she jumped right into the activities of our day as if she had known the other members of our team all her life. But the coolest thing was that the day after our shoot, she took the time to text me and tell me about how one of the things we had chatted about during our Saturday together tied into her Sunday School lesson the next day, and that she had taken action to pass forward a random act of kindness. HMUA: Kayley Love

Kendall Qualls, Roanoke Rapids High School. Athletic and brilliant, Kendall was one of two reps who could not make our group shoot because of an all day commitment she had made to lifeguard training. We missed her unique sense of humor, but I look forward to spending this year with her!

Carson Neal, Roanoke Rapids High School. Like me, Carson is Tar Heel born and bred. He loves all things Carolina, soccer, and baseball, but the best thing about him is that he is a stand-up guy. Maybe that maturity comes from being the oldest of a family of five kids (well, second oldest, since his twin has him by a few minutes), but I just know his friends can count on him to have their back.

Karely Eason, Halifax Academy. The first thing I noticed about Karley when I met her were her beautiful blue eyes and contagious smile… and then I fell in love with her bubbly personality. She has lived on Lake Gaston for most of her life, and has dreams of becoming a Marine Biologist.  HMUA:  Sarah Daugherty

Olivia Clippard, Roanoke Rapids High School. When I asked Olivia to describe herself, she used the words “strong and resilient.” I see that in her fully, but I would add “dynamite.” She is a ball of energy in a tiny body… bigger than life, full of personality! HMUA: Claire Dickens

Kaylee Hall, Roanoke Rapids High School. Kaylee is my artist, involved in music and drama (she plays percussion… how cool is THAT?)… I love that she describes herself as “colorful on the inside and more neutral on the outside.” There is great depth to this amazing girl, and I am looking forward to getting to know her! HMUA: Kayley Love

Victoria Cash, Roanoke Rapids High School. This resilient girl is an inspiration, and an amazing example of grace and strength. She is transparent and vocal about her battle with Junior Myoclonic Epilepsy, but has never let her battle drown her. Instead she chooses every day to focus on her family who supports her and the friends who stand by her… and she lives her life fully, with a grateful heart. HMUA: Sarah Daugherty

Jake VanDam, Roanoke Rapids High School. Athletic and friendly, Jake is the ace of the pitching staff at RRHS, and is all about “yes ma’am Southern Charm.” BUT I also know he is also hilariously mischievous, and I wouldn’t have him be any other way!

Maggie Parker, Faith Christian School. Goal-oriented and focused, Maggie is gifted with an athletic body (three sport athlete here) and brilliant mind. Her dad was one of my best friends growing up, and we even lived down the hall from each other in our college dorm. I am beyond grateful to get to spend Maggie’s senior year with her! HMUA: Sa’real Copeland

Blair Bracey, Roanoke Rapids High School. I have several members of Team 2019 that I have known and loved their entire lives, and Blair is one of those. But when I sat down to describe her, I was at a loss for words. She has a sweet and gracious personality, but then she has this hilarious and quirky sense of humor that just makes her, I don’t know… cool. I had no idea how to best paint that picture of her, but then I glanced at her list of hobbies where she included that she enjoyed “taking my dog to get French Fries…” Yep. That’s Blair! HMUA: Sarah Daugherty

Olivia Kidd, Roanoke Rapids High School. This kid has a driven personality… I have no idea how Olivia does all that she does. She is dually enrolled at RRHS and at Nash Community College, so she is a full time high school AND college student; she is an active member of a loonnnnnggg list of clubs and activities, and she has completed over 200 hours of community service as a volunteer with Nash General Hospital. No doubt she will go far… but you know what else? I just flat out LIKE her. She is a sweetheart, y’all. HMUA: Kayley Love

Maria Liles, Halifax Academy. Maria is multi-talented for sure. As a matter of fact, I am not sure there is much she can’t do. She sings, she paints, she plays soccer and basketball… but the coolest thing about her is that she tries to notice if people around her need a pick me up, and she goes out of her way to cheer them up and make them laugh. Teens these days get a bad rap for being in their own bubble… I love Maria’s desire to look out for what others are feeling, and her gift to lift their spirits. HMUA: Kayley Love

Lily Brewer, Roanoke Rapids High School. Ahhh, this girl, y’all. She has an infectious laugh and a smile that will light up a room. Her personality has always been huge, ALMOST as big as her heart. You know what is amazing? Last summer, Lily visited Haiti to serve there, and she said, “I completely fell in love with the country and its people. It was a life changing experience.” Lily, something tells me you have changed some lives for the better yourself!

Natalie Watts, Halifax Academy. Natalie is highly motivated and active in school sports and clubs, but she has a gentle spirit, and a sweet smile. She says she sometimes takes a little time to open up to new people… and I am so looking forward to getting to know her! HMUA: Claire Dickens

Karri Blackmon, Roanoke Rapids High School. Vibrant and strong, this kid has kicked around a soccer ball since she could walk, and has danced almost as long… but I LOVE that she picked the word “goofy” to describe herself! I totally see that in her. Mostly what I see though is a bubbly personality who isn’t afraid to be who she is… and what she is, is bigger than life! I have a feeling her senior session is going to be a blast! HMUA: Kayley Love

Megan Cobb, Halifax Academy. Ok, this chica is the sweetest thing! Megan is thoughtful, and caring… she notices little things going on in the lives of others and isn’t afraid to reach out and let them know she is thinking about them. We only have just met, and she already has gone out of her way to reach out to me. Those little acts of “I’m thinking of you” are so valuable. I hope she knows how special she is! HMUA: Sarah Daugherty

Rhiannon Bowen, Roanoke Valley Early College. She looks like a doll, but this girl is tough as nails. She is the first student at RVEC to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice on top of an Associates in Arts degree, as well as her high school diploma… and she does all of that in addition to holding down TWO jobs! Rhiannon has a personality that makes her easy to talk to, and it is clear she is grounded and committed to her goals. This amazing girl is going to change the world.

Alexis Pearcey, Roanoke Rapids High School. Alexis hasn’t mentioned to me what her future goals include, but I can see her doing something which invests in the lives of children. She already is a teacher at Children’s Church, and a dance assistant at her dance school…. One thing is for sure, no matter where her path leads her, her kindness is beautiful and her genuine, strong character is a example for us all! HMUA: Sa’real Copeland