Over the years, Mobile Bay Magazine has had the privilege of showcasing the talents and ambitions of outstanding local students. Since being highlighted in our “Wonder Kids” features, these extraordinary individuals have embarked on remarkable personal and academic journeys, making significant strides in various fields. From groundbreaking careers in technology and law to impressive accomplishments in sports and the arts, our Wonder Kids have continued to impress and inspire. Discover where they are now and be uplifted by their ongoing success stories.
Joi Williams
WONDER KID 2020
MCPSS Academy of Virtual Learning Class of 2022
Joi Williams brought a touch of glamor to our 2020 Wonder Kids roster. She crossed the stage for her high school diploma in 2022 and strutted straight onto the catwalk. Williams has made a name for herself in the fashion as a print and runway model, having graced the pages of MIRAGE Magazine and the catwalks at the London and New York Fashion Weeks. When she’s not posing for designers like Jovani and Hemistry Designs, she’s claiming crowns in beauty contests like the Princess America pageant and the Teen Universe Montana pageant. She can do anything she sets her mind to, and she’ll do it in stilettos and sequins.
Pete McGriff
WONDER KID 2016
Fairhope High School Class of 2020
Pete McGriff sailed on to great things after graduating from Fairhope High School in 2020. He attended Hobart and William Smith Colleges where he joined the HWS Sailing Team and served as treasurer and vice president of the Delta Chi fraternity, a study mentor and an O’Laughlin Ambassador. He managed to balance his many extracurricular activities with his academic pursuits and graduated with a degree in Economics and a minor in Art History in just three years. McGriff is now earning a Doctor of Law degree at Cornell Law School and is a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Burke in the Northern District of Alabama. He continues to chart an impressive course, his journey from Wonder Kid to a seafaring legal scholar exemplifying his limitless potential and tireless ambition.
Mya Nobles
WONDER KID 2018
Baker High School Class of 2019
Mya Nobles has taken her passion for justice to incredible heights since her days at Baker High School. Following her graduation, she enrolled at the University of Alabama where she was heavily involved in outreach programs for underserved communities. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English and a minor in Criminal Justice in 2023, and she is currently serving as an intern at the Montgomery County Public Defender’s Office while earning her Doctor of Law degree at the University of Miami School of Law. With her unwavering commitment to honing her legal acumen and protecting individuals’ rights, Nobles is proving that she’s a force to be reckoned with in the justice system and is well on her way to becoming a legal luminary.
Jeremiah Jackson
WONDER KID 2016
Saint Luke’s Episcopal School Class of 2018
Jeremiah Jackson has been hitting it out of the park since his days at Mobile’s Saint Luke’s Episcopal School. Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Jackson quickly made headlines by setting a Pioneer League record with 23 home runs in just 65 games. His minor league stats are a home run in themselves: 85 dingers, 283 RBIs and 69 stolen bases across 1585 at-bats. Traded to the New York Mets in 2023, he’s now playing for their Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. This Wonder Kid’s journey to greatness is a grand slam, proving he’s the heavy hitter we knew he’d be.
Margaret Carey
WONDER KID 2016
McGill-Toolen High School Class of 2017
After making a splash as a 2016 Wonder Kid, Margaret Carey graduated from McGill-Toolen in 2017 and dove into her freshman year at Auburn University as a student athlete and head swim coach at Heron Lakes Country Club. It was at Auburn where she discovered her stroke of genius for communication and collaboration. In 2020, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Applied Communication. Carey showcased her leadership skills as vice president of marketing for the Beat Bama Food Drive, intern for the Senior Bowl and marketing director at Harvest Jewels in Fairhope. Now, Carey channels her creative expertise as the co-owner and editor of The Scout Guide Mobile Bay, sharing with others her love of life on the Bay.
Mary Alice Jouve
WONDER KID 2016
McGill-Toolen High School Class of 2019
Scientist and artist Mary Alice Jouve was already channeling Leonardo Davinci when she joined our roster of Wonder Kids in 2016. After her graduation from McGill-Toolen in 2019, she enrolled at Princeton University where she earned a degree in History and a minor in French and Medieval Studies, adding historian to her list of credentials. Now, Jouve unravels the stories behind artworks as a researcher with Veritas Fine Art Appraisals and Consulting, exploring the provenance and historical significance of clients’ paintings. As a PhD student in Medieval History at Columbia University, she is diving deeper into the annals of history. Jouve’s passion for making art more accessible and helping people have a deeper understanding of history paints a picture of her bright future.
Virginia Green
WONDER KID 2016
Fairhope High School Class of 2017
Following her graduation from Fairhope High School in 2017, Green teed off her academic journey at Vanderbilt University. There, she majored in Human and Organizational Development, showcased her skills on the Varsity Women’s Golf Team and took part in the Be an Anchor Leadership Program. Green completed her studies in 2021 and worked as a marketing intern for various companies, but her love for her sport drove her back onto the golf course. She returned to her alma mater as Vanderbilt’s Director of Operations for the Men’s and Women’s Golf teams, where she fostered greatness in her players until marrying professional golfer John Augenstein in 2023. Today, she is enjoying her new life in Georgia, continuing to thrive both on and off the course.
Andrew Fouty
WONDER KID 2021
St. Michael Catholic High School Class of 2021
Andrew Fouty has been making waves since being featured in our 2021 Wonder Kids issue. After graduating from St. Michael Catholic High School as valedictorian, Fouty dove into the Engineering and Applied Science program at Columbia University. Between classes and study sessions, he attends swim practices and meets as a member of the Columbia swim team. He set personal records in the 100 Breast, 50 Breast, 50 Fly and 200 IM, and won the 100 Fly at the 2022 ECAC Open Championships his freshman year, clocking a personal best of 48.00 seconds. Andrew continues to glide toward success, competing in events from the 100 Free to the 200 IM. Whether he’s hitting the books or the pool, Fouty is sure to swim laps around any challenge that comes his way.
Daisy Ferrell
WONDER KID 2018
Mattie T. Blount High School Class of 2021
Since graduating from Mattie T. Blount High School in 2021, Daisy Ferrell has been claiming her place in the justice system. She launched her academic career at Dartmouth College, where she participated in the First-Year Fellows Program and Rockefeller Global Leadership Program while earning her degree in Political Science and Government. She is currently serving as a peer note taker, transcribing organized, legible notes for peers with disabilities and is interning for Dartmouth Athletics Development. Ferrell’s commitment to others and desire to succeed are indicative of her unlimited potential in the legal realm.
Reginald Turner Jr.
WONDER KID 2021
Davidson High School Class of 2021
Reginald Turner Jr. graduated from Davidson High School and leaped straight into earning a BFA in Dance at the prestigious Juilliard School. He honed his craft locally with Mobile Ballet and Sheffield’s School of the Dance, later joining intensive dance programs at Nederlands Dans Theater and Arts Umbrella where he learned repertoire from renowned choreographers Crystal Pite, Hofesh Shecter and Sharon Eyal. Turner’s journey is a beautiful ballet of dedication and passion, setting the stage for a stellar future in dance.
Photo by Matthew Coughlin
Morgan McGehee
WONDER KID 2012
Davidson High School Class of 2019
Morgan McGehee has had an appetite for charity and social justice since 2012. As an 11-year-old, she started a foundation to fund the digging of wells for people in Zambia without access to clean water. McGehee graduated from Davidson High School in 2019 and enrolled at Samford University, where she discovered that she could blend her love of food and passion for helping others into a career. During her time at Samford, she was an active member and volunteer with the Micah Fellows Program and the Student Dietetic Association. McGehee graduated magna cum laude with a degree in in Nutrition and Dietetics. She was a dietetic intern at various esteemed organizations including Cooking Well and Infirmary Health. Today, she continues her philanthropic work as an advocate for victims of domestic sex trafficking, currently raising funds and preparing for the 1,700-mile Pedal the Pacific bike ride to raise awareness of the cause. When she isn’t engaged in high-intensity training, she serves up health guidance as a registered dietitian nutritionist, helping others achieve their wellness goals.
