You’d never know when you meet Charleon Williams that he once struggled in school or found himself in trouble. Quiet and calm, he carries himself with confidence now—but getting here took hard work and growth.
Charleon has been a Terrell Tiger his whole life. Both of his parents graduated from Terrell High School, and he is proud to carry on his family’s legacy in the district.
As one of seven children, Charleon looked up to his older brother Jadonavan, a football player who inspired him to change. As a child, Charleon shared that he lacked motivation. “I used to just sit around and do nothing,” Charleon said. That all changed when he started watching Jadonavan play football. “Watching my brother play made me want to try it too.” He joined football in seventh grade and went on to become a two-year varsity player, also competing in track and powerlifting—his favorite sport. Competing in the 225 weight class, Charleon enjoys the challenge of testing himself. “I like competing one-on-one and seeing what I can do,” he said.
But Charleon’s journey hasn’t been easy and he’s faced his fair share of challenges. As a kid, he struggled with his weight and was often teased. Then, during middle school, his grandfather James Husband—his role model and safe place—passed away. “When I lost him, I shut down. I didn’t care about anything,” he admitted. For a while, he drifted, spending too much time assigned to in school suspension due to fighting and not enough time focusing on school.
Over time, he realized that school was his way out and by his sophomore year in high school he began setting goals for himself and making healthier choices like drinking a gallon of water everyday and focusing on his academic goals. The change has been dramatic.
“If it wasn’t for school, I’d probably be out in the streets doing things I shouldn’t,” he said. “School has made me realize I have a future.” Watching his mom work tirelessly and sacrifice to provide for their family pushed him to want more. “Without my mom, I’d be nothing. She’s paved the way for me, and I want her to see me walk the stage at graduation.”
Now as a senior, he’s an A-B student with plans to attend Trinity Valley Community College after high school graduation. His goal is to become a welder and work alongside his brother, following in his footsteps once again - but this time, on his own terms.
Today, Charleon feels proud and at peace with who he’s become. “I’ve proven to myself that I can do better,” he said. “I’ve proven it to my mom. I never want her to see me behind bars—and I think that was the path I was on. But not anymore. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m not stopping now.”