She’s an emissary,  the captain of the cross country team, the Senior Class Secretary, and the Vice President of the SEAL Club, while also managing to be an avid member of both the French Club and the Fashion Board. Who else could it be but Ariel Williams?

As one of the many seniors known to walk the halls of the Mississippi School for Math and Science, she is recognized by everyone and loved by many. Earlier this week I had the privilege to sit down with her, and ask her a few questions.

Ariel hails from Wayne county and used to attend Wayne County High School. What made her want to come to MSMS was, as she put it, “the prospect that I would be surrounded by like-minded individuals who also wanted to challenge themselves. I was also fairly intrigued by the availability of activities outside of the classroom being so much different to everything that I had known, such as ‘Tales’ and the variety of clubs that were offered or that I could create.”

She is involved various activities across the school, including the cross country team and other sports. “I dibble dabble in pretty much everything. I run for cross country and am head captain for the girls’ team. I also fiddly diddy in tennis every now and again,” Williams explained.

She expressed that being captain of the cross country team is difficult, but it’s worth it. “It’s pretty strenuous, but very rewarding. We lacked in attendance this year. Discussing practice plans with Coach Hall, receiving her lifelong advice, and in general bridging communication between our coach and our team is phenomenal.”

Ariel says that she could not even fathom the number of opportunities she’s been exposed to here at MSMS. The school has helped her develop as an athlete, a scholar, and has literally helped her bring life into the world considering Ariel assisted in delivering 29 babies through her mentorship at the Golden Triangle Baptist Hospital.

Though the school has given a lot to her, Ariel gives back even more to the school, and one of the ways she does this is as an Emissary. “The selection of Emissaries is fairly extensive. I do not often feel as though there is pressure upon me being an Emissary, as the faith in myself to do my job was instilled in me upon being selected, and furthered so during our training in which we mentioned concerns regarding performance. I do, however, feel as though I have become a better influence and person as a result of being an Emissary, as I have little eyes looking at me, potentially seeing what is and is not acceptable or conducive to their success here.”

Ariel is obviously a well-rounded student and a credit to MSMS.