Top Graduates Keep It a Family Affair at North Brunswick High

by Renee Spencer, Wilmington StarNews Staff 06/17/2019

First cousins Veronda Blue and Angel Johnson made history graduating as the class of 2019′s valedictorian and salutatorian

BRUNSWICK COUNTY — Growing up, Veronda Blue and Angel Johnson did everything together.

Though they are first cousins, the two admit they are more like sisters. In middle school, they developed a plan to sit on the stage together at graduation as co-valedictorians.

Things didn’t work out exactly as they planned it. Instead of co-valedictorians sharing the stage, the two ranked first and second in their class, with Blue as valedictorian and Johnson as salutatorian. But they still made history as it was the first time a pair of first cousins secured the top two spots at North Brunswick High School.

As they prepared to turn their tassels at Odell Williamson Auditorium on June 1, Blue was grateful to have Johnson there at her side.

“For me, it was great because we always do everything together,” Blue said. “Being able to sit up there with her, it wasn’t like I was sitting near a stranger or anything. We got to just talk and laugh and play — and pay attention, too.”

Johnson also cherished the moment. She explained that because there was a competitive race for the top spots, she didn’t find out that she was the class salutatorian until two days before graduation.

“Just being able to be up there, I was ecstatic,” Johnson said.

Both Blue and Johnson acknowledged that it required a great deal of perseverance and hard work to attain those honors. Both also were active in extra-curricular activities. Blue played soccer, volleyball and basketball. Johnson was a cheerleader, played basketball, volleyball and soccer, and ran indoor and outdoor track. Johnson even made it to track nationals this year for the 4×1 and 4×2 relay races. In addition, both served as officers with the schools JROTC program.

While the afternoons often meant racing from one activity or game to another, they always made sure to get their school work done. At times, they were taking seven classes in a single semester — some at North Brunswick and others at Brunswick Community College. The workload could be overwhelming, and Johnson’s mother, A.J. Johnson, recalled that her daughter and Blue approached long nights of work much differently. Johnson would work until 1 or 2 a.m., sleep for two or three hours and then wake up at 4 or 5 a.m. to finish the work. Blue preferred to power through the work, which took much of the night. Then she would sleep for an hour or two before school.