Cumberland County Schools honors 17 standout seniors whose perseverance shaped their path to graduation

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Tears, cheers, and proud families filled a ballroom in Fayetteville on Friday as Cumberland County Schools celebrated students whose journeys to graduation were defined not only by academic success, but by resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity.

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The district honored 17 graduating seniors during its annual Standout Seniors Luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Fayetteville, recognizing students from across Cumberland County Schools for their leadership, perseverance and impact on their schools and communities.

Among those recognized was Cross Creek Early College graduate Saliyah Brooks, who balanced athletics, academics, and work while earning more than 50 college credits before high school graduation.

Brooks qualified for the state wrestling championships all four years of high school and recently captured the 6A Regional Heavyweight Championship. She graduates just four credits shy of earning her associate degree and plans to attend East Carolina University before pursuing a career as a travel nurse.

“It just makes me feel really special,” Brooks said. “It makes me feel that I accomplished a lot. I wrestle, so I have a lot of sports accolades. It feels amazing to know that I can be a student and an athlete.”

The event highlighted stories of students who overcame significant obstacles while achieving academic and personal success.

Among them was Reid Ross Classical High School student body president Cameron Clark, who underwent major spinal surgery to correct severe scoliosis. Despite weeks away from school and a difficult recovery, Clark maintained his studies and discovered a passion for medicine through his experience.

“I realized I want to do that,” Clark said. “I want to be that positive mark in the community. I want to help others who have fear. I want to save lives.”

Clark has earned more than $100,000 in scholarships and plans to study biology before attending medical school to become a surgeon.

According to district leaders, the Class of 2026 includes students who have excelled in academics, athletics, leadership, community service, and career readiness programs while overcoming challenges ranging from illness and housing instability to language barriers and family hardships.

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One honoree, Douglas Byrd High School senior Demarcus Billups II, helped develop an artificial intelligence-powered app connecting people experiencing homelessness with local resources while managing a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

“We have an amazing group of graduates this year,” said Lindsay Whitley, the Cumberland County Schools associate superintendent for Communications and Community Engagement. “Many of them have overcome odds. But they’ve persevered and we are just excited.”

The district recognized the following students during Friday’s luncheon:

• Solange Marks — Alger B. Wilkins High School
• Rama Elhatto — Cape Fear High School
• Saliyah Brooks — Cross Creek Early College High School
• Andrew Smith — Cumberland International Early College High School
• Nicholas Young — Cumberland Polytechnic High School
• Sonya Phillips — Cumberland Academy
• Demarcus Billups II — Douglas Byrd High School
• Alexis Sellers — E.E. Smith High School
• Lanie Myrtle — Gray’s Creek High School
• Aidan Froa — Jack Britt High School
• Griffin Hire — Massey Hill Classical High School
• Kaylen Sykes — Pine Forest High School
• Cameron Clark — Reid Ross Classical High School
• Earl Cunningham Hennis — Seventy-First High School
• Victoria Nigh — South View High School
• Leviarrion Felix — Terry Sanford High School
• Giovanniel Anzueta — Westover High School

Together, the students represent a wide range of accomplishments. They include a future MIT mathematics major, student body presidents, athletes, performers, military leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and community volunteers.

Several graduates earned associate degrees, college credits, industry-recognized credentials, and scholarships worth hundreds of thousands of dollars before receiving their high school diplomas.

The annual Standout Seniors initiative was launched in 2019 by Cumberland County Schools’ Communications and Community Engagement Department to spotlight exceptional graduates and share their stories with the community.

According to the district, more than 3,700 students are graduating this year from traditional high schools, early colleges, virtual programs, and alternative schools across Cumberland County.

District officials said the program is designed to recognize not only academic achievement, but also perseverance, leadership, service, and the positive impact students have made on their schools and communities.

As graduation season continues across Cumberland County, school leaders said this year’s Standout Seniors serve as a powerful reminder that success comes in many forms and that determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

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