Every Saturday evening, Nevaeh Williams, ’25, does something she’s been doing since six years old: bowling. 

“I’ve known Nevaeh and watched her [bowl] on and off since she was a little girl because of her grandfather,” Jimmy Denson, the bowling coach, said. “He was my coach, [and] I’ve been knowing him for thirty years or so.”

Bowling is a family tradition for Williams, and her grandfather, the assistant coach of the bowling program at WHHS, is her biggest supporter.

“My grandfather definitely led me to start, and for him it was my great-grandfather, and it’s kind of a family thing,” Williams said. “I don’t know where I would be without [my grandfather]… He’s stayed with me throughout the hard times, when I really struggled, and he was there when I shot my 300.”

Along with being named the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) bowler of the year three times, Williams rolled the first 300 in ECC history. She recently became the Cincinnati Enquirer bowler of the year for the 2024-2025 season and was named the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) scholar athlete of the month in February. She credits her success to the hard work and dedication she puts into perfecting her craft.

“You have to want to bowl and you have to want to be good at it,” Denson said. “She’s got a driving side to her… Once that competitive drive kicks in, the other Nevaeh goes and sits in the corner.”

Williams’ seventh and ninth grade English teacher, Samantha Stephenson, saw this drive in the classroom as well.

“When I first met Nevaeh in seventh grade, [she] right away was a really hard worker, very enthusiastic about being in school.” Stephenson said. “She was very positive, helpful, and she just loved to learn.” 

When Stephenson first heard about Williams’ success in bowling on the announcements, she was shocked as she thought bowling, one of the only individual sports in the ECC, didn’t match up with Williams’ outgoing personality.

“When she invited [me] to go watch her senior night, and I got to see her interact with her team, I realized it is actually such a team effort,” Stephenson said. “They’re so vocal and encouraging, and [Nevaeh] was really leading them and keeping them confident and energetic throughout.”

Bowling isn’t the only thing Williams is passionate about. After having her in class, Stephenson noticed that Williams was incredibly gifted in writing and storytelling, and recommended her for the creative writing club at WHHS, Gleam. 

“Ms. Stephenson said [it] would be perfect for me, [and] I was terrified [of the idea],” Williams said. “In tenth grade, I finally joined, and it has been the highlight of my Tuesdays… I’ve always had a passion for writing, learning new things and teaching… [and] I like being able to engross myself into my own world and stories.”

Apart from bowling and storytelling, Williams is also passionate about singing and has been in choir since kindergarten.

“I’ve always loved to sing,” Williams said. “I’m in [the] vocal ensemble and women’s ensemble this year, and I love both, everybody is so nice and it’s just a really fun time.”

On a regular Tuesday, Williams would enjoy singing during second and fifth bell, then attend and lead the Gleam meeting after school and head home. Later, in her free time after completing homework, Williams would play video games.

“I play a lot of role-playing games.” Williams said.“Sometimes I might dwell on some Minecraft because I like surviving and dying in hardcore, sometimes [I’ll play] some Roblox… it honestly depends on what I’m in the mood to play [and]  if my friends are on.”

After that, Williams might play in a bowling tournament or have practice. Despite all that she does, Williams values her friendships and develops them to the best of her ability.

“I love hanging out with friends,” Williams said. “It’s not just bowling, bowling, bowling 24-7. If you ask me, ‘Hey, do you want to hang out this day?’ nine times out of 10 I’ll probably have a tournament or something, but that doesn’t mean that’s all I do.”

Next year, Williams will attend Alabama State University through a full-ride athletic scholarship and major in English education. Williams has worked hard to gain all the skills she has, and her prowess in bowling is no exception.

“She just puts her all into everything,” Stephenson said. “She’s good at bowling because of who she is; she wants to do a good job in everything she does… She works really hard, and I don’t think people notice that.”

Denson decided to publicize Williams’ success this year on the school-wide announcements, which has brought a wave of sudden recognition.

“I wanted to embarrass her,” Denson said. “She doesn’t like notoriety. She’s okay with just being Nevaeh, [and] she doesn’t necessarily want to be Nevaeh Williams, the girl who shot the first 300 in ECC history.“