Every year the Talent Search program at Wallace Community College Selma gives awards to students who have shown academic excellence and achievement throughout the past year.

During this year’s Outstanding Student award ceremony on May 13 at WCCS, Talent Search counselors made a unique discovery.

To their surprise, a mother and son had been nominated and won Outstanding Student awards.

Annie Williams and her son, recent Southside High graduate Eldra Williams, each received an award for their hard work and success in the Talent Search program.

“We had no idea they were related until the awards night,” said Talent Search director Betty Bentley. “This was the first time a mother and son both received Outstanding Student award. We didn’t plan on this.”

Williams, who took the college’s General Equivalency Diploma courses at Craig Field, is involved with Talent Search through the adult education program.

Jeff Hines, coordinator of the GED courses, presented Williams with her Outstanding Student plaque during the ceremony.

“I just took the GED test, and now I’m waiting for the results,” Williams said. “My goal is to go to college here at Wallace and become a nurses’ assistant. I thought it was time for mom to go back to school.”

Williams also accepted a plaque on behalf of her son, who could not be at the awards ceremony because he was being honored for his nomination for Boy of the Year that same night.

“When they called his name out, I couldn’t believe it,” Williams said. “I thought, ‘I didn’t know he should be here too’.”

Talent Search counselor Cindy Duck announced Eldra as the recipient of his own Outstanding Student Award based on his grades and involvement at Southside High School.

Eldra said he plans to attend Tuskegee University this June and a major in biology.

“I want to go into pre-medicine and eventually become a doctor,” Eldra said.

Bentley said there were 23 junior high, high school, and adult program students selected for Outstanding Student awards this year.

“They are all chosen because of grades, academic achievement, and participation in Talent Search,” Bentley said. “The counselors at the schools also help us make the decision. There are so many good students in Talent Search, but we can only select a few.”

Williams said she is proud of her son’s accomplishments, and knows he will do well in school.

She was also thrilled to have this chance to stand along side him as an Outstanding Student.