Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
Addisyn Williams was in ninth grade when the call from her stepmom came in the middle of the school day. She shared the devastating news that their home had caught fire. The blaze hadn’t taken everything, but it had taken enough. Her family was tied up handling the damage to their home, so Addisyn went to the softball field alone. That night, with emotions running high and her mind in a hundred places, she hit the only home run of her high school career.
“That day was surreal,” she says. “Everyone was so supportive, and I think I just channeled everything into that one swing.”
Now a junior at Meek High School, Addisyn still carries that quiet strength on the field, court, and classroom. A two-time All-Area and All-County selection in basketball, she’s also having a standout season in softball, where she plays centerfield and leads the team with a .517 batting average, a 1.000 fielding percentage, and eight stolen bases. Her on-base percentage is an impressive .600, and she’s already scored 17 runs this season.
But for Addisyn, success goes beyond stats.
“There are no seniors on either of my teams this year,” she says. “So I’ve had to step up and be that role model like the older girls were for me. I try to lead by example and help the younger players however I can.”
That sense of responsibility isn’t limited to athletics. Addisyn balances a 4.0 GPA with involvement in SGA, HOSA, NHS, FCCLA, Peer Helpers, and the Big Brother/Big Sister program. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field after graduation.
“School comes first,” she says. “But I give my all in sports, too. It gets busy, but my parents help me a lot. They make it easier.”
Sports have always been a part of her life. She started with gymnastics, then transitioned to softball and basketball when she was young, playing in park leagues and even winning a World Series title. Her stepdad has been one of her biggest influences, coaching her through the years and pushing her to improve.
When asked about her favorite memory so far, Addisyn doesn’t hesitate.
“Last year’s basketball season,” she says. “We made it to the Sweet 16. I played with a group of seniors I really looked up to. They were amazing role models, and that season was just so much fun.”
Now, as the leader of her team, she hopes to make this softball season one to remember.
“I want us to win, of course,” she says. “But more than anything, I want to look back and be thankful for the teammates I have and the memories we’ve made.” Because no matter the challenge, whether it’s a house fire or the weight of leadership, Addisyn Williams shows up, swings hard, and never backs down. WL
