BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
Julius Williams, of Wetumpka High School, has a bright future ahead, and received much-deserved praise Monday from the Elmore County Commission.
Williams was recently selected as the Bryant-Jordan Student Achievement Regional Recipient. He was named the Class 6A Ken and Betty Joe Blakenship Student Achievement recipient and one of three students to receive the Embrace Alabama Kids Scholarship.
The Bryant-Jordan award was created in 1986 by the Alabama Spots Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Each year 52 students are recognized for their excellence in the areas of athletics and academics and for their ability to overcome major obstacles in their high school career.
While at WHS, Julius was a four-sport athlete participating in cross country, football, basketball and track and field. He currently holds two school records for the Indians track and field team. They are for the Triple Jump and 400-meter run.
Julis was in JROTC for four years and served as the Executive Officer. He also participated in numerous organizations and clubs at WHS.
Commissioners praised Julius for his accomplishments, recognizing he had a tough time growing up. In a resolution honoring Julius, it reads, “(Julius) has never let his past situations define him and he urges others to have the same mindset. Julius stated, ‘I want people to know that they can choose to overcome any situation they go through. Don’t let anyone else define who you are, what you are, or who you’re going to be. They can overcome any situation they’re in and be even greater than they ever imagined.’”
The Elmore County Commission recognized and congratulated Julis Williams.
“We wish him continued success as he has signed a National Letter of Intent at the University of Alabama at Huntsville as a member of the track and field team.”
WHS Principal Kyle Futral stood with Julius at the podium, and said he was honored to be there for this recognition of an incredible young man and athlete.
“He is one of the first young men I remember meeting at Wetumpka High School,” Futral said. “He was in a closet with our JROTC instructor sorting though uniforms and helping him do some things. (The JROTC director) said, ‘Man, you gotta meet this kid. Julius is one of the brightest and best kids we have here.’ He told me all about him and bragged on him. From there, our relationship started, and it has been a pleasure getting to know him. He is definitely well deserving of this Bryant Jordan Achievement Award.”
As for the award, Futral explained “To be eligible you have to be a student athlete and they have criteria around the achievement award. They look at academics, achievements, community service as well as just the student’s story; things they have overcome and how they have used the ability that they have.”
Futral said he cannot say enough good things about Julius. “How he represents family, himself, our school. He is involved in a ton of things. He makes good grades on top of all that. This couldn’t have been given to a better young man in the state of Alabama.”
Commissioner Desirae Jackson told Julius she was so impressed as she looked over the numerous articles and pieces of information about his life and accomplishments.
“I don’t think we have ever had any high school students dressed as well as you have,” she continued. “If you can just influence our young ones to do exactly what you did and help others on the same path that you have, that would be awesome.”
Commissioner Dennis Hill said he is impressed by Julius’ ability to overcome early struggles and succeed on such a large level.
“You don’t let anything beat you. And that is important. I hope you keep this attitude that you have now for the rest of your life. Share it with others and put it back in the community. Be an example for folks. You come from a good family.”
Commissioner Mack Daugherty said, “Coach Bear Bryant said one time, ‘You can’t define class, but you know it when it walks in the room.’ My first impression when I saw you – that is what I thought. A role model, and class, and you are going to be an example for others, I can assure you of that. We are so proud of you.”
Commissioner Henry Hines said that Julius is an outstanding young man, and he can see how proud his family is of everything he has already done in his young life.
“Individuals like you make Elmore County the number one county in the state. And that is why we are proud to live here and proud to have you here. We hope that you will go off to college and come back. Who knows, you may be sitting up here one day, or be our governor. Your record stands for itself. We look for leaders every day, and someone like yourself. People want to know you, they want to be to around you. With everything happening bad in this day and time, it is great honor to have a young man like yourself step up here.”
Commission Chairman Bart Mercer said, “This is one of the favorite things that we get to do to recognize people that achieve things in our county.”
