Academic All-Star – Halle Williams, College Grove Elementary

Published May 10, 2018

The Academic All-Star award is given to students who exhibit a positive attitude and a commitment to excellence in the classroom. Each Academic All-Star is chosen by his or her principal and receives a framed certificate, free food from Sonic Drive-In and other gifts from the district.

Fifth grader Halle Williams is not the type of student who takes her education for granted.

After living as an orphan in Ethiopia for more than two years, Halle was adopted and moved to Williamson County with her new family. Since then, she has worked non-stop to learn the language and be a good student.

“When I came here I didn’t know anything,” said Halle. “I couldn’t read at all. The only words I knew were mom, dad and love. College Grove helped me a lot. The teachers here support me and if I let myself down they tell me I can do it and that they believe in me.”

Teachers say Halle deserves all the credit, which is why they named her the school’s Academic All-Star.

“Halle gives 110 percent each and every day, no matter how difficult the task,” said College Grove teacher Alison Kaczmarski. “She strives to be successful and truly cares about her education.”

Although her two favorite subjects are reading and math, Halle says more than anything she wants to be a hair stylist when he grows up.

“I want to be a hair stylist because when I was an orphan I always braided my friends’ hair,” said Halle. “I just fell in love with it.”

When she’s not in school, Halle enjoys playing soccer, swimming and spending time with her friends and family. In fact, teachers say the only thing greater than Halle’s dedication to her schoolwork is her passion for helping others.

“Halle serves as a peer leader through her role as a BE NICE ambassador,” said Kaczmarski. “She displays a positive attitude and kindness towards each and every person that she meets. She is the perfect choice for our Academic All-Star for 2017-2018.”