Picking up soccer was a shot in the dark for senior Spencer Williams, who was talked into the decision by a friend.
“Me and my friend Tugger Selman talked about me doing soccer in my senior year just for the experience. It’s my last chance so I figured I would give it a shot,” Spencer said.
One of the things that Williams enjoys most about soccer is Head Coach Darrin Taylor’s coaching. “I don’t think I would have joined soccer if anyone else was coaching it. Coach was very understanding when I explained to him that I have no experience, and supports me anyway. Also the whole team is very supportive, they answer any questions I have,” Spencer said. When Williams isn’t on the field, he prefers to spend his time working with tech or spending time with friends and family.
Williams’ love for video games and technology started early, when his father introduced him to games at age two. “I remember when I was little my dad used to play video games with me in his lap. From then on I would play games at my uncle’s house and my grandma’s. It’s definitely been a lifelong hobby,” Spencer said.
It’s this love for video games that inspired Williams to look into a Career in technology.
“I’m passionate about entertainment because I feel like now more than ever, people need to escape from reality a little bit. I want to create something to fulfill that need in others and fulfill my own need to create something of my own,” Spencer said. Spencer has always had this vision, but found his view of the future rapidly growing hazy starting about 2 months ago.
“My whole life, my behavior has been chalked up to laziness. I understood that some people were lazy, but wasn’t sure how it could be this bad. It would take me hours to just start something, and many more to finish it,” he said.
“My grades were the worst they had ever been, I had to drop a college class I had neglected, and I was feeling really lost. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do later in life anymore, so I started talking to a counselor.”
It was soon after this low period that Williams was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD.
“I started medication around February or early March, and the change was like night and day. I feel like I can succeed again, I’m back on track,” Spencer said.
Although medication helped Williams immensely, It wasn’t the only thing that helped him come back from rock bottom. Williams’ family and technology teacher also played a massive role. Spencer’s technology and yearbook teacher Eric Johns raised his interest in pursuing a career in technology, helping him build his skills and learn his true potential.
“I’m very thankful for Mr. Johns because he really got me into thinking about a career in tech. He has allowed me and my friend Tugger to help around in the IT department, which is giving me experience that will be very valuable as I move toward my career,” he said.
“Outside of career things, I appreciate just being able to talk to him and relate to him. Mr. Johns is definitely a good dude, and he isn’t like other teachers. Normally there’s a barrier between educators and students, but I feel like that’s not there with him. Johns is willing to break through that barrier and get on the students level in a way, for the good of the student. I like that about him.”
Eric Johns is pleased to have Williams in class, and believes he has a big bright future ahead of him.
“Communication goes two ways, listening is just as important as talking. When we listen to our stu dents, it gives us insight on how to teach each individual student. Spencer is going to do something great like build the next spaceship or artificial intelligence, and we will all remember what a good kid he was here at our little Cordell school,” Johns said.
Williams’ mother, Chasidy Holman, has also helped Spencer get back on track, and supported him through thick and thin.
“My mom’s support has been such a strong driving force in my life, it has helped me more than I think she knows,” he said. “My mom is supportive of anything I do, and will answer any question I have about anything. My mom is the biggest influence in my entire life, I thank her for the opportunities I have. She’s the reason my grades are so good. No matter what I do she’s always right behind me, cheering me on.”
Along with inspiring William’s academic success, his mother has also helped him align his moral compass, helped him boost his own confidence, and be a more understanding person.
“I was kind of a weird kid growing up, so that, along with my mother’s influence, has driven me to try and be an understanding person. I try to be self aware, I think that’s the ideal trait for every person to have,” he said.
“We see hostility everywhere, every day. It’s important to consider the effect you have on other people. I think trying to understand why people feel the way they do will let you be a more peaceful person. I think it will make everyone around you more peaceful as well.” Williams hopes that his efforts to be self aware and understanding will translate to others.
Williams’ stepfather, Lincoln Holman, has also been around for as long as Spencer can remember, giving him a strong work ethic and showing him what it means to be absolutely selfless.
“We’re very different people, but he’s a good dad. You can tell that my sisters are definitely more his children than I am, but he loves us all the same. He is a hard worker, absolutely selfless, and would do anything for us,” Spencer said.
THE WILLIAMS FILE
YEAR: Senior
PARENTS: Chasidy & Lincoln Holman, Justin Williams
FRIENDS: Laeklin Norris, Tugger Selman, Gavin Jasmer, Abbigail Hooks, Adam Gonzales, Thomas Reimer, Flora Walters, Walker Carmen, Bode Gallagher, Hunter Welch
SPORTS AND ACTIVIES: Soccer, ethics, yearbook, academic team, robotics, band, jazz, technology class, student council (vice president),
HOBBIES: Playing video games, making memes in Adobe Photoshop, hanging out with friends