If you live in Bainbridge, chances are you’ve met Blair Williams.

Whether she has greeted you at the YMCA’s front counter during her work hours, gone out of her way to hold the door open for you at a store or pulled you to the front alter at Climax Baptist Church to pray, almost everyone has a Blair story.

She’s always smiling.

She’ll never forget your name.

She has an unstoppable drive to help people.

It’s that last trait that earned her an honorary EMT graduate at Bainbridge State College. Tuesday morning, Williams, 24, completed her clinical rotation and led a mock emergency call in BSC’s Student Wellness Center. She was awarded an honorary graduate certificate, pinned and showered with applause for her accomplishments.

“I feel great,” Williams said after the ceremony. “I want to save lives and to help others who are in need. My parents are happy for me and help me support my goals.”

Williams, along with her mother, Nina McMillan, came to BSC’s visitation day a year ago with the hope of enrolling. The faculty and staff were supportive and gave her the opportunity to join a Foundations for Success class, taught by Senior Academic Counselor Katie Harrell.

Harrell drove Williams to work at the Y after class was over, and she was involved in encouraging her to take the next big leap: enroll in an EMT class. Williams always wanted to be an EMT, and has dreams of being a doctor. That drive for helping people was part of her core, after all.

“After that class was over, we talked and she told me she wanted to be an EMT,” Harrell said. “So I got with (EMT Instructor Charles Avery), and we agreed to let her be a part of the class. Charles set it up where she came to class on certain days and certain times.”

Williams classmates supported her every step of the way. Everything culminated Tuesday with the emergency call and award ceremony in her honor. Williams had a constant smile on her face. Her dream of being an EMT came true.

“There is no prouder moment in an instructor’s life than when we can look at a student and see their dreams come true,” Avery said.

McMillan and her husband, Roger, fought back tears as they watched their daughter show courage, patience and strength during the emergency call.

“She has been very excited and keeps saying my dreams are coming true,” McMillan said. “It’s just amazing. I don’t have enough words to express how grateful I am to everyone, to this whole community. I am so proud to be a part of Bainbridge and Decatur County.”

McMillan recited Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 as a reminder for any parent who has a child with a disability: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Blair is proof that there are no mistakes,” McMillan said. “I am so grateful for people who don’t look at her disability, but her ability.”

Williams hopes to continue working with Decatur EMS.