The Impact of Giving

Joe grew up in a large family with eight sisters and one brother. He lost his father when he was only 13 years old, and attending a traditional college would have required taking on a significant amount of student loan debt that he and his family were not prepared to incur. Influenced by several of his high school friends who spoke highly of Williamson, Joe saw the school as an incredible opportunity for students seeking an alternative path after graduation. He was particularly impressed by the professional standards expected of the students and, upon learning of his acceptance, looked forward to holding himself to a higher standard than he was accustomed to.

WHY THE TRADES?
Joe has always been interested in real estate and home renovation. He hopes to start his own company one day that combines flipping and building residential homes in the most ecofriendly way possible. As a student of Williamson’s newest trade program, Electrical, he will be among the second class graduating with that degree. He also values his exposure to other trade areas such as carpentry and masonry. He says, “All that knowledge will come in handy no matter what I decide to do.”

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
Reflecting on who he was in high school, Joe points to the dramatic changes he sees in himself after nearly three years at Williamson. He explains, “I was shy and lacked confidence in myself. I also wasn’t a good student and didn’t always make the best choices. Williamson changed all of that; this school truly set me straight. I’ve been able to break out of old habits and see myself as a leader in certain situations.” His sisters frequently text him to express how proud they are of his accomplishments. Joe wishes he could share his Williamson experiences with his father, but he knows his dad would have been proud of him, too.

A WILLIAMSON FAVORITE
“It’s not about the destination. It’s about the 1,000-day journey,” Joe says, citing these words as the truest statement he’s ever heard because they summarize the essence of life at Williamson. He adds, “I can be a tough kid to teach. I know that. I’m distracted easily and need to be held accountable. But thanks to my instructors and the supportive environment here at Williamson, I’ve developed a strong work ethic and learned how to concentrate better. Those skills will serve me well far into the future.”

MOTIVATION VERSUS DISCIPLINE
Joe proudly recites the senior quote for the Class of 2026: “Discipline will take you places. Motivation will not.” In delving further into the quote’s meaning, he explains, “Motivation is temporary. It’s not always going to be there. You might start your journey feeling motivated, but it takes hard work and discipline to keep moving toward the end goal. That’s one of the things that Williamson does best—teaches discipline. No one is going to love it here every day or understand the point to some of the things they’re required to do, and not all projects turn out the way they’re planned. It takes discipline to help students stay focused and on a path to success.”

WORDS OF WISDOM
One of Joe’s instructors explained that the rationale behind requiring students to polish their shoes each morning is to ensure they have a clean, well-kept pair of shoes to wear throughout the day. This idea resonates with Joe, who appreciates the notion that a person’s appearance can influence their behavior. He says, “It’s all part of being prepared and fulfilling our responsibilities. We are taught to be professional, which is clear in how Williamson students are always on time, in uniform, and striving to learn or work toward their goals.”