For Southern Lee High School’s Class of 2026 salutatorian, Maliyah Wilson, success did not begin with perfect grades or a carefully mapped career plan.
It began with a simple decision. A decision to step outside of her comfort zone.
When she arrived at Southern Lee, Wilson described herself as quiet and reserved, someone who preferred to stay in the background rather than introduce herself to new people. Four years later, she has graduated as salutatorian, balancing athletics, leadership organizations, dual enrollment coursework, and entrepreneurship with plans to pursue both an accounting degree and a commercial pilot’s license.
She credits Southern Lee for helping her discover that growth starts when you are willing to take the first step.
"It definitely made me more social,” Wilson said. “When I started DECA at Southern Lee, I was very introverted. I did not like to talk to people. I just realized that you have to be the one to do it. Nobody is going to do everything for you. If you want to get something done, you can put yourself out there and just try it.”
That mindset became the foundation for everything she accomplished.
This summer, Wilson will work as a lifeguard before beginning classes at Central Carolina Community College (CCCC), where she will study accounting while taking advantage of the Lee County K14 Promise Scholarship. She plans to transfer to NC State or UNC Wilmington after earning her associate degree to continue working toward a future that includes becoming a commercial pilot.
Her interest in aviation began with a family friend who invited her into the cockpit of a small plane.
“He actually took me up in one of his little planes and let me fly beside him,” Maliyah recalled. “It was an amazing experience. We got to watch the sunset in the sky. It was just awesome. I really love doing it.”
While flying is her dream, accounting offers stability and a solid back-up plan.
“I figured I might as well get a degree in something I could do other than being a pilot. Something stable that can be a back-up job.”
That practical approach also influenced her college decision.
Many she has talked to about future plans questioned why a salutatorian would choose community college over a four-year university, but Wilson sees opportunity where others might overlook it.
“It is free. It is a great opportunity,” she said. “I’m still going to go somewhere afterwards.”
Instead of focusing on prestige, Maliyah is focused on preparing for the future while minimizing financial burdens. “It just opens up so many opportunities because you haven’t had to pay for those first two years,” she added.
Wilson’s growth during high school extends beyond academics.
She spent four years competing in softball and volleyball while also joining DECA, a club focused on exploring business and entrepreneurship opportunities where she was introduced to leadership and marketing skills.
“DECA was definitely one of my favorite clubs that I joined,” she explained. “It was eye-opening to see how many students were really working hard and doing business-relating things already in high school.”
Those experiences quickly translated into real life for Maliyah.
Wilson owns a pet-sitting business, Wandering Whiskers and Tails, where she provides drop-in visits, overnight stays and even farm sitting for clients throughout the area.
“I learned how to promote a business,” she said. “I actually promoted my pet-sitting business. I learned how to talk about it and market it better.”
Just as importantly, DECA taught her that relationships matter.
“The biggest thing was just making connections and meeting people, because getting a job usually comes through connections,” Maliyah shared.
Looking back, Wilson doesn’t define her high school experience by grades or awards. Instead, she remembers the moments when she pushed herself to try something unfamiliar.
She joined clubs and teams without knowing anyone. She participated on the bowling team even when none of her friends signed up. She embraced opportunities simply because they challenged her.
“You don’t have to know people to start something,” she explained. “You don’t have to have familiar faces to go and do these things. When I realized that, that is when I really learned how to meet people and build connections.”
One of those unexpected opportunities became one of her proudest accomplishments. Wilson participated in the Lee County Wildlife Club’s Youth Hunter Safety Program, representing Southern Lee while learning and competing in rifle, archery, and shotgun skills.
Admittedly, she initially wasn’t excited about spending every Sunday for four months in the program. “But once I started doing it, I was like, ‘There’s no point in stopping,’” she smiled. “I enjoy it and it’s an opportunity to do something fun that I don’t always get to have.”
Even when participation dwindled, she remained committed. “I was like, ‘I’m going to finish it. I’m going to do this for the last time. So I’m going to finish.’”
That perseverance became another lesson in confidence.
As she closes her time at Southern Lee, Maliyah says her greatest source of preparation for success came from the teachers who believed in her.
“It was the teachers that pushed me to keep going,” she said. “The teachers that believed in me.”
She specifically credits English teacher Mrs. Nooning with helping shape her academic growth.
“At first, I did not really like her as a teacher,” Maliyah laughed a bit. “She was very strict, but I realized how much her structure and guidance helped me in the long run.”
She also points toward bowling coach Vickie Wilkins, whose encouragement helped her find balance with an incredibly busy schedule.
“She definitely let me realize that not everything is crazy important,” Wilson explained. “She always told me to ‘Just relax, have fun, and take in the moment.’”
Those lessons built something even more valuable than academic success. “They really helped build my confidence,” Maliyah remembered.
If Maliyah could offer advice to the eighth-grade version of herself preparing to enter high school, it wouldn’t be about earning top grades.
It would be much simpler.
“Join DECA for sure,” she said. “Be more open, try to be more open and more talkative. Don’t be so shy and worried about what other people think.”
Why?
“There’s just no reason to have that fear,” Maliyah highlighted. “It is way better to talk to somebody than to just be by yourself.”
That willingness to step forward and the opportunities available through her school community at Southern Lee transformed a shy freshman into a student leader, entrepreneur, athlete, scholar, and a future pilot.
As she leaves Southern Lee High School, Maliyah carries much more than a diploma. She carries confidence, connections, and the belief that opportunities belong to those willing to say yes.
Those are the lessons that prepared her to thrive - and the ones that will continue to guide her wherever the runway leads.