Willis and Wadford inducted into CA Hall of Fame

By Courtney Warren

At the commencement for Canton Academy 2023 graduates, two students were inducted into the prestigious Canton Academy Hall of Fame. 

Headmaster Ryan Laster said, “Reese and Samuel embody all that the Canton Academy Hall of Fame represents. They both have been a pillar in the community and the school from the time they attended our elementary school. I am so excited for their futures at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi College.  

Catherine Reese Willis of Canton began attending Canton Academy (CA) in August of 2007. She was one of twelve three-year-olds that formed the first ever K3 class. Some of Willis’ academic achievements include maintaining a 4.0 GPA, as well as being on the Headmaster’s List and an Academic All-Star her entire high school career. She has won numerous individual class awards. In the fall of 2022, she was crowned CA Homecoming Queen and was voted Miss Canton Academy at this year’s CA Who’s Who. 

Willis has held various campus-led leadership positions, including Varsity Cheer Captain, Senior Class President, National Honor Society President and Vice-President, and Editor in Chief of the Reflections yearbook staff. Willis was chosen to represent her class as both the Hugh O’Brian Youth delegate and the Madison County Youth Leadership representative. 

Willis is attending the University of Mississippi in the fall, where she will be focusing her studies on allied health sciences with the intentions of majoring in nursing. 

Willis also earned the spot of 2023 Canton Academy Valedictorian. 

Samuel August Wadford of Canton has been a member of the CA family since the first grade and has maintained honor roll status since then. He has tried every sport, finding his true love in football and proudly ending his high school football career as a member of the 2022 State Championship team. 

Wadford is also a member of the 2022 State Champion track team and the 2022 MSAIS All-Star football team. This year, he was named Defensive Player of the Year by the MSAIS and was the high school Heisman winner for Canton Academy. 

For this year’s Who’s Who, Wadford was voted Mr. Canton Academy and Most Dignified Senior. When not at school or on the field, he enjoys working on cars and other motorized vehicles. Wadford will attend Mississippi College in the fall to major in electrical engineering and play Choctaw football.