The Impact of Giving

Community is everything to Jason, who lost his parents at a young age—his mother when he was seven and his father when he was fifteen. He and his siblings relied on relatives to raise them. The support they received from their close-knit Pennsylvania town was critical in helping him stay on the right path. He was able to attend Cardinal O’Hara, a private high school in nearby Springfield, thanks in part to the generosity of friends and families who helped him raise funds for his tuition. “We sold Krispy Kreme donuts and hosted special events at local restaurants, and people stepped up with donations to support my high school education,”

WORK ETHIC AND CHOOSING HIS PATH
Jason has never been afraid of hard work. He held several part-time jobs while attending high school, including working as a lifeguard and server at a pizza place. He wasn’t familiar with the trades before pursuing a Williamson education and seriously considered joining the Marine Corps when he turned 18. He understood that attending a traditional college would mean incurring a lot of debt, which he wasn’t prepared to do. When his friend’s parents and some coaches told him about Williamson, he was excited to apply. “I knew Williamson would be strict, but I had no problem with that. My goal was to learn how to balance academics, trades, and a sport, which was a challenge but definitely worth it.”

LEARNING TO BE A LEADER
Jason has benefited from having so many positive influences in his life and understands the value of having leaders to turn to for support. He cited several mentors at Williamson who have helped him from the beginning. “There’s always someone to talk to here, and they’re really cool. I can have honest conversations with my teachers and advisers. That’s really important.” In turn, Jason serves as a leader himself, leading the Williamson football team in prayer before every game and counseling his younger brother through the choices he needs to make for his future. Leadership is at the heart of a Williamson education, and Jason is a shining example of how immersion in a challenging and supportive environment can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

NEXT STEPS
Williamson’s Machine Tool Technology program turned out to be a great fit for Jason. He’s grateful for everything he learned about machining and understands that the skills he’s developed will last a lifetime. For the immediate future, he’s exploring a career in sales because of an opportunity that’s been presented to him. “But who knows,” he says. “So many doors have opened for me thanks to Williamson, and I’m excited to have different options to consider.”

A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY
Williamson changed Jason’s life—first by offering him the stability he was missing, and later by introducing him to opportunities he never knew existed. He’s grateful for the support of his classmates, teachers, coaches, and other mentors. “When things get tough, and they do, there are plenty of people here to help you through it. Being here at Williamson is worth all the effort.”