How he proved the world wrong

You will never fulfill your dreams or goals.

You are not good enough.

You will not make it through high school.

You’re a failure.

Your future dreams and goals will never come true.

Someone within the school that everyone knows was told similar, harsh words and persevered through all of this. That someone is Principal Mike Williams.

Williams did not even hear this for himself, his mother heard it his freshman year of high school from a school counselor; not even knowing it existed until after high school before he went to college.

“I was hurt to think that someone would say something like that to my mother,” Williams said. “I was a freshman and just an average kid with dreams and goals like everyone else. If I would have heard this at that time, I do not know if I would have handled it very well.”

He did not let the harmful words make him lose sight of his goal. He fought to prove to himself and others that he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to.

Now with a Bachelor of Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master of Education Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, Williams believes what the counselor said pushed him to do better than ever before and it has created advice for his student body.

“I think that each student can achieve and accomplish what they want to do if they are willing to do the work,” Williams said. “Always be someone who looks at the glass as being half full and not half empty. I choose to be a person who is going to see the best in people and get the most out of each day that I’m alive.”

Williams has been in education for 54 years, he’s created a friendly environment for all those he cares about, and he has a loving wife and daughter.

He is successful and he proved the counselor wrong.

“It’s a great day to be alive and a great day to be a Raider,” Williams said.