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Calia Williams, the salutatorian of Callaway High School, said the work to earn the title has been hard work and rewarding.

“It’s been very exciting, especially after working on it for so long and finally getting the recognition for it and people are appreciating it. I don’t feel like people bring much attention to the salutatorians and valedictorians. For Amoria and I to have it this year, I feel like we’ve brought a lot of attention to it and made it feel normal to do,” Williams said.

During her time in high school, Williams was involved in many organizations including varsity volleyball, varsity cheerleading, student council, 16 Ways, Educational Talent Search and National Honor Society.

With her time as a high schooler approaching its end, Williams said she will miss her classmates the most.

“I love my classmates. I feel like we made everything fun and with us all going to college, I feel like I won’t have that same bond with any other people as much as I had with them,” Williams said.

Williams said she has been getting asking her classmates what she should talk about in her graduation speech.

“My theme for the speech is the past and I thought I could talk about 2020, getting out of COVID — I feel like I have a lot to talk about, but I want to get an inside look with everyone and make sure they feel like they are a part of the speech,” Williams said.

Williams credits her father Courtney Williams Sr. for her academic success.

“I’ve always had the drive to succeed, but my dad has been the one pushing me and helping me with testing, transportation, doing the ACTs and SATs and college visits,” Williams said.

After graduation, Williams said she plans to attend Florida A&M University to major in pre-medicine to become a gynecologist. She said she also wants to continue to grow her small business as a nail technician.

“Since I’ve been growing up and having to go to the doctor more, I didn’t always have the most comfortable experience going. A lot of gynecologists are men and don’t exactly look like me. There aren’t many women of color in the field, so I wanted to show other girls that anything is possible and that you can take up a profession like gynecology,” Williams said. “I want women to feel more comfortable coming to the doctor and show other Black girls like me it can be done.”

As the class of 2024 awaits their turn on the big stage, Williams advises them of a few things.

“Don’t get lazy. Stay in school, don’t try to get out too early, do your work, and have fun,” Williams said.