The Impact of Giving

Joey Mastella grew up in Ridley in a tight-knit household with his mother and older brother, John, whom he credits as his biggest influence. John, a 2022 Williamson graduate, introduced Joey to the school and inspired him to apply. “He’s my role model,” Joey says. “I saw the man he became at Williamson, and I wanted that for myself.”

WHY WILLIAMSON?

Joey set his sights on Williamson as early as his first year of high school. While he admits to not always making the best choices back then, the goal of attending Williamson helped him reset his path as graduation grew closer. “I knew what I had to do to get here—and stay here,” he explains. “It fixed my game, and I put all my eggs in one basket by only applying to Williamson for college.”

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT

Joey is grateful for how Williamson has helped him shift his mindset. The structure, discipline, and expectations challenged him early on, with his freshman year being particularly tough. But his growth is undeniable. “I’ve matured a lot in just a year and a half,” he says. “I’m focused on making good decisions.” Joey’s growth shows in measurable ways, too. During his first year, he was held accountable for things like showing up late for lineup or forgetting his belt, something he never had to do before enrolling at Williamson. Instead of resenting the rules, Joey considers them an important part of building character and growing into a responsible adult. “This year, I haven’t been late once, and I’m clean shaven every morning. I’ve learned to adjust and take responsibility,” he says.

BROTHERHOOD & LEADERSHIP

One of Joey’s favorite things about attending Williamson is the camaraderie. “It’s a brotherhood,” he says. “The people here push you to keep going, even when it gets tough.” He also appreciates the school’s structure for shaping him into a strong leader. “I look forward to moving into a leadership role someday,” he adds. “That’s basically what Williamson is preparing us to do. If you come here and work hard, you’re going to come out as a leader, ready for a role in management if that’s what you want.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Joey plans to pursue a career in construction management, with aspirations of becoming a project manager. Already, he’s interviewing with major companies for internships— opportunities he never imagined having at this stage. “No matter which program someone is enrolled in, companies want Williamson Men,” he says.

WORDS OF WISDOM

In handing out advice about a Williamson education, Joey cites his personal motto: Don’t let it slip. “The time flies, and the opportunity is huge,” he explains. “Keep your head down, stay focused, and don’t let anything distract you from the end goal of becoming a Williamson graduate.”