Zoe Williams is already leaving her mark. A three-sport standout who just wrapped up her freshman year at Carthage High School, Williams plays volleyball, basketball and runs track while balancing a busy schedule in the classroom and community.

Williams said she is most proud of earning a varsity spot and lettering in all three sports as a ninth grader, an achievement built on discipline and a willingness to embrace pressure situations. Basketball, she said, has been especially influential in shaping who she is becoming. “Basketball has taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to handle pressure,” Williams said. “It has made me more confident and taught me to work hard even when things get difficult”.

She credits a long line of people for helping her grow, starting with her former elementary school teacher, Kiley Cochran, whom she had in both fourth and fifth grade. Williams said they bonded over sports and Cochran’s upbeat competitiveness. She still carries memories from that classroom and said she will “always be grateful for Mrs. Cochran’s positive outlook on life, kindness, and competitiveness”.

Williams said she draws daily motivation from teammates who “push me to be better every day,” each bringing different strengths and mindsets that challenge her to improve. Away from competition, she serves on student council, helping organize events such as a monthly diaper drive, Trunk or Treat, school dances, a daddy-daughter dance, superhero night and an Easter egg hunt, opportunities she said have helped her become “a better person and leader”.

Her favorite time of year in Carthage is fall, when Maple Leaf festivities take over the town square with a parade, booths and time with friends and family. Through it all, Williams leans on advice to avoid comparison. “God put you on earth to be who you are, not someone else,” she said, adding that she focuses on becoming the best version of herself.