As time dwindled in the 2018 rivalry football game against Rockingham County High School, Morehead needed to score.
The game was tied at 14, and William F. stood in the student section’s front row. He will never forget the game’s ending: in thrilling fashion, the Panthers scored a last minute touchdown to clinch the game. Morehead fans were exuberant. Irate Cougars silently filed out of the stands.
That night, the Panthers scored 15 unanswered points to steal the victory from Rockingham on their senior night. It was the most satisfying win William remembers.
Armed with quick wit, William loves making others smile. When describing challenges he faced in high school, he smirks and replies, “when Carolina lost to Villanova in 2016. I was sad for exactly one year.” William also provides a clear answer when asked to identify what he will leave behind at Morehead. “I don’t remember vandalizing the property in any visible way.”
William looks up to his grandfather, someone who taught him unending life skills ranging from carpentry to billiards. In high school, William was involved in Eden City Youth Council, the Morehead Spirit Club, student council, and Leaksville United Methodist Church. As he matures, William focuses more on the future, intentionally planning upcoming life transitions.
Perhaps inspired by his grandfather, William carries a love of the outdoors and an interest in construction. He will attend North Carolina State University to pursue a master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He is also considering a minor in agriculture.