The Impact of Giving

Louis had been planning to attend Williamson College of the Trades since middle school. His two older sisters had recommended the school due to its outstanding reputation, and several of their own classmates thrived here. His interest in horticulture and landscaping originated from his parents, who met while working at a local garden center and passed their love of plants down to him. However, it wasn’t until he arrived at Williamson and began studying Landscape Construction and Management that he truly realized the numerous opportunities available in his chosen field.

WILLIAMSON’S TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
Louis credits Williamson for getting him back on track after starting down the wrong path during high school. Admittedly, he needed to make some changes in his life including focusing on time management. “I had this image of myself that I wasn’t living up to. I wanted to become a man of morality and consistency. A man of faith. An eventual good husband and a standup guy. Williamson provided me with the confidence and opportunity to do that,” he reflects.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Louis grew up with sisters and wasn’t sure he would fit in at an all-men’s college. But he quickly learned to lean on his classmates for support. “Attending Williamson isn’t easy, but having so many guys in my corner cheering me on makes all the difference. We help each other grow every day,” Louis shares. He also cites the brotherhood for making the rigorous schedule at Williamson much more manageable.

DEVELOPING MORE THAN A GREEN THUMB
Louis takes pride in his involvement in horticulture, appreciating the field’s vast scope. “We don’t just cut grass, which is what some people think. That’s only a fraction of what we do. I’m learning about hardscaping water features, low-voltage lighting, retaining walls, and operating machinery,” he explains. Something that surprised Louis as he gained experience in his program was that he developed a real passion for climbing trees. “I never knew about tree work until I got here and fell in love with it. I fell in love with the heights and the view, which keeps me climbing,” he shares.

NEXT STEPS
The internships Louis has completed through Williamson have positioned him well for graduation. He gained valuable experience in commercial landscaping at LandCare during his freshman year and in arboriculture (tree work) at Shreiner Tree Care during his junior year. He received job offers from both companies, but he has yet to make a decision. Down the road, Louis hopes to pursue a career in sales. “I think that’s the right route for me because I thrive on the clientele and enjoy building one-on-one relationships. Seeing a customer smile makes me smile, and I want to work in a role where I’m helping others,” he says.