30 Under 30: Callie Stockman

Radiation Therapy Major, BSCC

Words by Suzie Walton | Images by Al Blanton

Callie Stockman had been anticipating her 2022 graduation from Carbon HIll High School for months. This class salutatorian had two offers: a scholarship to play volleyball or a full academic scholarship to Bevill State. She chose the latter and prepared for an exciting start to her freshman year of college.

Callie took dual enrollment classes in high school, so she knew the undertaking of a full load. “One of my English teachers encouraged me to dually enroll,” she recalls, “so I took two histories, two compositions, psychology, speech, and music.”

As a high school cheerleader, member of the National Honor Society, Beta and Key Clubs, as well as a decorated volleyball player, Callie trained for mental toughness. She decided on a challenging major in Radiation Therapy, but she had no idea of the challenge she was about to stand against.

Within two months of the start of her freshman year, she faced a devastating end.

“I lost my dad on October 6,” she says solemnly. “He was always telling me how proud he was of me, and this was an unexpected blow.”

Her dad had volunteered to help an elderly lady cut limbs from an old tree when he fell.

Though Callie and her family were devastated, she says she has never felt closer to God than after this tragedy. “God held me through this and I am more grateful for people and things now,” she says. “I see my relationships as precious, even timely.”

Callie has now channeled her focus on singing with the praise team at Abundant Life Church. She has always had a passion for singing and working hard in her college classes because, she says, “I want to continue to make my dad proud.” 78