by Trina Walker
Alyvia Williams is a Sophomore at Clinton High School. She loves representing her school on the soccer field.
“It’s an amazing feeling to know that you have many young students looking up to you, and your team. Once a Red Tornado, always a Red Tornado,” Alyvia says.
By playing soccer, Alyvia has grown as a leader and learned perseverance. Alyvia has played soccer for as long as she can remember, beginning when she was three-years-old in Texas.
She laughs saying, “I even kinda got a yellow card when I played in kindergarten. My dad loves to tell that story.”
Alyvia’s favorite thing about being on a team is developing relationships with people she would otherwise not be around, and gaining a second family.
“My team has gone through good and bad times together, and we worked through every single thing together as a family. I am very grateful for my team.
“Soccer is escape for me; every game, laugh with teammates, joke from coaches, and practices that last an hour longer than usual gives a dopamine feeling that makes me extremely happy,” Alyvia says.
A favorite teacher is Mrs. Radford. While no longer at CPS, Alyvia says, “she is an amazing teacher, she is an incredible coach!
“My parents inspire me the most because they both have gone through different struggles in life and in collegiate sports. They showed my sister, Jaycee and I how to really push through hard times.” Pictured Below: Jaycee (sister), LJ (dad) and Alyvia Williams
She is influenced by professional soccer player Crystal Dunn. Alyvia wants to work toward that level of technique and confidence in the game. Alyvia also sees teammate and CPS senior, Baleigh Giblet, as an example of a great leader.
Alyvia Williams finds her escape on the soccer pitch.
“Having the opportunity to put all the hard work into the sport I love and then being able to see the positive results on the field is an amazing feeling,” Williams says. “Both of my older sisters played soccer and I started playing because of them. But I got really serious about it in the fifth grade.
“Since then, soccer has taught me so many life lessons and brought so many great people into my life.”
Williams’ goal is to help the Lady Reds to a state title.
“Holding that trophy with my team would mean so much to me,” Williams says. “My long-term goal is to improve my game and be able to play at the next level.”
Her dream schools are UCLA and NYU. How can she reach her lofty goals? In Williams’ own words: “Work!”
“My dad says it all the time, and I know I have to stay locked in and focus on getting better daily,” Williams says. “That’s on and off the field.”
Williams is also sophomore class Vice President and enjoys fashion and concert-going. She maintains straight As and plans to “keep it that way.” She’s played a few showcases in Oklahoma and plans to make bigger events nationally this summer.
“I’m hoping Cali will be on that list. So in the next few years, on top of the work I want to put in, branching out to more showcasts will be a big thing I’ll be doing,” Williams says.
Above all, Williams loves playing for the Lady Reds. She shouts out her back line.
“I think every team goes through things, and we’re no different,” Williams says, “but we stick together and always have each others’ back on and off the field.”
On a final note Alyvia wants to shout out to her parents, her sisters, all of her old and previous coaches, her forever best friend Jordan, and a HUGE thank you to her Clinton High School teammates!
