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The Davie Community Foundation is sharing a continuation of the “Where Are They Now?”  series about former scholars and things they are accomplishing.

By Madison Hartness

Davie Community Foundation

Samantha James Joyner, former Roy and Ruth Eldridge scholarship recipient, earned her bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science from Wake Forest University in 2013. Her time at Wake Forest was filled with involvement in Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, RUF (Reformed University Fellowship), and the Screamin’ Demons, a club that supports athletic programs. Samantha was also a resident advisor during her junior and senior years, serving as a mentor to students and a resource to help first year students adjust to college life.

Being a student at Wake Forest taught Samantha discipline and time management skills. She wouldn’t trade the memories or friends made for the world, but after four years, Samantha was ready for a break. Following graduation she worked a few jobs, before taking additional classes at Winston-Salem State University and applying to physical therapy school.

During her freshman year at Wake Samantha met Colby Joyner. They got married in October of 2015 and moved to Charlotte, for Colby to begin his career as a physician assistant. Samantha began physical therapy school at Wingate University in January 2017. Today she is a licensed physical therapist having passed her national physical therapy exam in February 2020. Because of the coronavirus, Samantha’s search for a job has been put on hold but she hopes to work in a hospital setting or with the elderly in a skilled nursing facility.

For years, Samantha has been working toward becoming a physical therapist. After achieving that goal, she is excited to begin her career and help others in a way she loves. She finds working as a physical therapist to be rewarding because she is able to help others regain function and aid them in returning to normal life.

Although Davie County is not Samantha’s place of residence, she still calls it home and visits her family here regularly. Her upbringing produced a love and passion for small communities. Her memories of cheering at Pinebrook and North Davie, numerous clubs, Mrs. Allen’s allied health classes, and football games are memories that she looks back on fondly. The wonderful teachers she learned from impacted her life and helped her become the woman she is today.

Her advice to today’s high school seniors is, “Enjoy every second and remember that God has a beautiful plan for your life. Your future might not play out exactly how you’re picturing right now, but I know that you’ll get to where you’re supposed to be in His perfect timing. You aren’t racing your peers to some imaginary finish line so always encourage your friends, cheer them on in their victories, console them in their failures, and remember that you’re all exactly where you’re supposed to be at any given moment.”