Carra Williams

It was 7 p.m. in Metairie, La., when Carra and Tim Williams welcomed me in to the world. They named their daughter Carra Jane, after four other Carra in my family. I share my birthday with some famous figures such as Heinrich Himmler, Vladmir Putin, Oliver North and American Idol’s Simon Cowell.
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After two years of living as the “chosen one” in my parents’ life, my brother, Connor, was born. Things would never be quite the same.


My family spent the first six years of my life in New Orleans. I attended St. Martin’s Episcopal School until we moved to the picturesque town of Covington, La. Covington remains our home.

Growing up in Covington allowed me to explore the outdoors more than I was allowed to in New Orleans. My brother and I were free to explore the woods next door and participate in all the normal childhood activities. The best years of my childhood were spent outside playing with my brother and neighbors. I loved to amuse myself by playing in creeks with frogs, building forts in the woods, riding my bike, playing soccer and swimming. Did I mention I was somewhat of a tomboy as a child? I also loved sports. Starting in elementary school, I began to swim and play soccer competitively. I enjoyed the challenge of competition and continued to compete at the middle school and high school levels. Some of the competitions involved travel, which I enjoyed. I learned through hard work, practice and dedication that I could succeed.

After graduation from Christ Episcopal School, I chose to attend St. Scholastica Academy for high school. SSA is an all- girls high school a few blocks from my home.

Attending SSA was a big step in my life. I was leaving the comfort of my little school for a much bigger high school. I graduated with thirty-five boys and girls from Christ Episcopal, and I was moving into an eighth grade class of one-hundred plus girls. I also had to wear a uniform, which was new to me. It turned out to be something I grew to enjoy. I never had to worry about what I was going to wear the next day.

My years at St. Scholastica permitted me to form strong friendships that I cherish today. I attend Louisiana State University with most of my dearest friends from St. Scholastica.

My family and friends are the two most important things in my life. I didn’t realize how important they really were until hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. My family and I decided to “weather the storm” in Covington while most of our friends fled north or west. It was in those hours during and after the storm that I realized what it means to be part of a family. I learned a lot about my family and myself in those weeks after Katrina. We were forced by this horrible event to be closer than ever before. Throughout the weeks that followed the hurricane I realized I actually had two families. I have one family of blood relatives and one family of incredible friends. Each family is different, of course, but together all these wonderful people helped mold me into the person I am today. Both my families encourage me to succeed when perhaps I question myself. I gain confidence and strength from their belief in my talents and tangible consistency. That is why I decided to move into the Mass Communication department of Louisiana State University. I will succeed through hard work ad perseverance.

I have flip-flopped between many majors and minors. I have considered Dental Hygiene and History. There are so many fields and careers to choose from that it is mind boggling unless you are totally committed to a special field. I finally realized that I had a strong desire to go into advertising. Advertising plays a great role in the world economy. Advertisements influence everyone. How many professions can make that statement?

My hope is that through studying Mass Communication I find my niche in the media world. I can explore many opportunities, and I think advertising is what I have been searching for in the past two years.

Ten years from now I hope to be an advertising executive with a family of my own. I would like to help pass legislation for stricter guidelines for advertising directed at children and teens.