Otter Valley Union High School – Ben Williams, 2009
Hometown, current residence, age:
I grew up in Forestdale and just bought a house in Forestdale. I turned 26 this past Saturday.
Family:
I am the proud father of an 8-month-old son who’s name is Sawyer John Williams, and I am engaged to his mother, Hannah White.
What I am up to:
Currently I am the assistant meat manager at the Brandon Hannaford Supermarket. I started working there a year ago after cutting meat at the Middlebury Hannafords for six years.
How I got to where I am now:
I have my family to thank for helping me get to where I am today and many family friends for helping me along the way.
Adults to whom I can attribute my current success:
I would not be nearly as successful as I am without the generous support from the people of this small community. I’d like to thank Donny Collett, Nick Greeno, Scott Curtis and Matt Bryant for helping me get started with my career.
How my Vermont roots have influenced who I am today:
My Vermont roots help me stay humble and generous to everyone. This town taught me how to work hard for what I want and to treat others the way you want to be treated.
My memories of high school:
The high points of my high school days were definitely spent on the pitcher’s mound or in the batter’s box; there was nothing better than suiting up and getting out on that field with good friends ready for battle. The lowest point would definitely be when my best friend Tristan Quinn passed away. That hit the whole community hard, especially the class of ’09. I know I can speak for us all when I say we still miss his smile to this day.
My advice for this year’s crop of graduating seniors:
If I could give any advice to the young men and women graduating it would be to have fun, work hard and reach for your dreams.