DEVIN WILLIAMSON

           Devin Williamson, a graduating senior at Robertsdale High, has a plan for the future. It's a plan that could take her to either the Supreme Court, or possibly a Federal judgeship.

           "When people look at my resume they laugh when they come to the part that shows I'm a member of both the Young Republicans, as well as the Young Democrats, but to be honest, I feel that I'm an independent who should look at both sides of an issue before make up my own mind about how I will vote," she said. "I feel there are good people and good points to be made on both sides of the aisle. I just want to be fair about it."

           Williamson said she planned on entering the University of Alabama this coming fall.

           "I've been encouraged to major in communications rather than the traditional routes to law school, which are English or history," she said. "After all, an attorney should be able to communicate effectively, whether they are prosecuting or defending a person."

           Williamson said she saw herself more in a prosecutorial role, rather than that of a defense counsel.

           "I've read too many case studies where a defendant was able to duck a crime simply because they could afford a top-tier attorney," she said. "I believe in justice, but I also believe the sentence should equate with the crime. If they are guilty then teach them a lesson they won't soon forget."

            That doesn't mean Williamson has plans of becoming the next Judge Roy Beam, who built a reputation in Texas for hanging people for various and sundry offenses.

           "I think you can be fair, but I also believe a judge needs to be firm as well," she said, "especially when it comes to handing down sentences to those who are found guilty."

           Running up a score of courtroom victories is not her style, she added.

           "Every case is different," Williamson said. "Still, I believe the law can and should be applied equally."

           Although a number attorneys turn their skills into lucrative careers, Williamson said she wasn't getting into the law for the money.

           "I want to go into a field where I feel I can make a difference," she said. "If I can leave the office at the end of the day and not dread coming back again the next day I feel I will be happy. After all, money can't buy happiness, but doing a job to the best of your abilities can."

           While at RHS Williamson has been active in a number of clubs and organizations.

           "I've been in the Golden Bear Color Guard for four years, and captain of it for the past two," she said.

           In addition to being in the RHS chapter of the National Honor Society, Williamsons is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the campus math society.

           "I'm also in the Ecology Club, Interact Club, in addition to being a Diamond Girl for the baseball team," she said.

           At present Williamson has a 3.76 grade-point-average.

           Outside of RHS she is active with her youth group at First Baptist Church, Loxley.

           "Last summer several members of our church went on a mission to Haiti, where we were able to work at an orphanage that was really in need," she said. "Having been there you can't help but wonder what the earthquake did to these children."

           This summer many of the same group from First Baptist Church, Loxley will be traveling to Guatemala to work in an orphanage.

           Laren Lewis and Lauren Malone, two 09 graduates of RHS, who are now at Samford University, just completed a trip to an orphanage in Guatemala. Their photos can be viewed on their Facebook accounts.

           At present, Williamson works at Hollister, a clothing store that is located in the Eastern Shore Center.

           "I'm trying to save some money for the summer trip as well as for college in general," she said. "Of course, when it comes to working while I go to college my main concern is getting an internship that will help me get into law school. Of course, I've heard that one of the best on-campus jobs for a future attorney to have is working in the law school library. Having worked as a library aide at RHS I feel I would be in a position to catch on quickly to how they do things there."