FERRIDAY, La. — Travis Williams believes his desire and determination to be the best at whatever he does is one reason he was able to hold out to become Ferriday’s Class of 2000 valedictorian. The other factor is sheer luck, he said.

Coming in first out of a class of 52, Williams said the race was &uot;pretty close&uot; with him in second place at the beginning of the year. But only one-thousandth of a point separated the top two Ferriday graduates in the end.

Williams’ drive and ambition have also landed him a scholarship at Northeastern State University in Natchitoches, La. where he will begin his studies in broadcast journalism this fall.

The decision to go into journalism was partially a result of his working at The Concordia Sentinel during the school year. &uot;My boss told me I had a real talent (for writing), and that I should stick with it,&uot; Williams said. &uot;I like to be creative, so I said, ‘Why not?’&uot;

Williams said he likes radio and broadcasting and intends to use his writing talent in broadcast journalism. &uot;I may even end up in television,&uot; he said.

His recruiter from Northeastern State helped him make that decision. &uot;I had considered LSU for a while, but after I visited Northeastern I was impressed,&uot; Bell said.

&uot;There are unlimited options for careers you can get out of journalism – period,&uot; Bell said. &uot;Just getting into the field you love.&uot;

Williams is currently spending the summer with his aunt and her family in New Orleans. &uot;I have to work this summer to help pay for my car,&uot; he said.

Being in New Orleans has given Williams time to reflect on his senior year. He had a special necklace made with the initials &uot;SCP&uot; hanging down. This necklace became his trademark and eventually his nickname.

During his senior year, everyone wanted to know what the initials stood for. &uot;SCP is short for ‘Stocking Cap Playa,’&uot; Williams said.

&uot;My mom made me get my hair cut, and my grandmama gave me a stocking cap for my head so that it wouldn’t wave. I just adopted it as my nickname as a kind of joke — that’s the ‘stocking cap’ part&uot; Williams said. &uot;’Playa’ is referring to the way you carry yourself in life.&uot;

Williams said &uot;doing the best at whatever you are doing and being confident in yourself are the correct way to carry oneself.&uot;

Williams is the son of Kathy Ann and Johnny Wilson of Jonesville.