Javen Styons is a dual-enrolled student at Beaufort County Community College (Beaufort CCC) and Beaufort County Early College High School, Styons will earn his Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees, along with his high school diploma. He plans to transfer to North Carolina State University to study veterinary medicine.
From a young age, I’ve always had pets, and no matter the animal, I’ve felt a special connection with them,” Styons reflects. “It’s not that I understand them, but I’m able to be patient with them. Animals are like people in a way—everyone has their own thought process, but we all have good intentions at heart.
According to a release, early in Styons’s academic career, he was interested in professions based on which would bring in the most income, but after moving out on his own, his priorities changed.
I grew up with a strong focus on money, as my family struggled financially for years,” Styons admits. “But when I moved out, I realized that money isn’t everything. It’s important, yes, but doing something you enjoy and feel passionate about is far more fulfilling.
Styons’s passion for animals also translates into a desire to help people in other ways. He has a unique perspective on the struggles many people face, noting that just like animals, many people hide their pain or struggles behind a façade. Styons’s ability to empathize with both animals and people alike sets him apart, per a release.
Animals and people are similar in many ways. They both have their own challenges and ways of dealing with things. The way I look at it, if I can help an animal in need, I can help a person too. And it all comes down to understanding and patience.