Drayton Swartzmiller is a junior born and raised in Sunset Beach, North Carolina and this is his first semester in journalism.

“I think I’m gonna do very well in this class,” said Swartzmiller. “I’m good with social media and I love to talk.”

Drayton has lived in Sunset Beach his entire life with all of his family. In his free time, Swartzmiller enjoys music, spending time with his family, online shopping, going out with friends and playing video games.

“I appreciate all of my friends and family who support me, it means a lot more than anyone really knows,” said Swartzmiller. “I’m a very appreciative person, but at the same time I’m not big on showing my emotions when it comes to stuff like that.”

Sophomore year, Swartzmiller took Yearbook but felt like it wasn’t the right environment for him. Despite how he felt about Yearbook, he decided to try journalism and feels like it’s more of a fit for him.

“I didn’t think yearbook was the right fit for me,” said Swartzmiller. “I am very grateful for the opportunity and I’m really looking forward to this semester of journalism.”

After high school, Swartzmiller intends to go to cosmetology school, with plans to specialize in cosmetic piercings, hair, makeup and prosthetics.

“I’ve always had an interest in makeup and hair, especially just anything to change your appearance,” said Swartzmiller. “I think anything with cosmetics is interesting. I think Jeffree Star was the blueprint, he really did inspire me to do makeup and cosmetics.”