New Williams Scholars Inductees Fall 2024

The upper school's annual induction of new Williams Scholars took place on Tuesday, December 3 in the Gelston Athletic Center. Named for longtime headmaster Jack Williams '38, the designation of Williams Scholar is one of Boys' Latin's highest academic honors. In order to qualify, students must maintain a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.95 while taking at least three Honors or AP level courses each year and be in good standing with regard to the School’s core values and honor code. The Williams Scholars program honors Mr. Williams’ dedication to Boys’ Latin and emphasis on scholarship by recognizing those BL students who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding academic achievements and commitment to the ideals of the Boys’ Latin community.

The assembly’s centerpiece was the announcement of the new Williams Scholars inductees. As upper school English teacher Marcia Flaherty read the names, each student rose to shake hands with Headmaster Post and receive a certificate from upper school head Amy Wesloski. Ms. Flaherty then spoke about the program at large.

Upper school English teacher Marcia Flaherty introduced this year’s scholars before speaking about the program at large. 

“Becoming a Williams Scholar is a great honor,” said Ms. Flaherty, who oversees the program, “We hope the stories you hear today will provide some extra motivation to strive for academic excellence, and we are excited to celebrate the achievements of our newest members.”

Following Ms. Flaherty’s remarks, junior Michael Putnick spoke about an academic enrichment program he attended over the summer, using his Williams Scholar funding. 

Last summer, Michael attended the Pre-College Law Program at Harvard University. He learned important basic legal skills in this prestigious program: how to read court documents and how to understand judicial opinions. Additionally, he enjoyed a taste of the independence that comes with college life. Michael spoke enthusiastically about trying new restaurants in Cambridge, navigating Boston’s mass transit system, and catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

“Being a Williams Scholar means having access to opportunities for academic and personal growth,” Michael said, “The program has opened doors for me and allowed me to participate in a program that has greatly benefited me and bolstered my interest in law.”

Academic Dean Brandon Mollet ‘94, who supervises Williams Scholars with Ms. Flaherty, spoke next about the students’ range of academic pursuits.

“You could hear it in their voices that taking these classes, having minds stimulated and their curiosity piqued was a highlight of their summer,” he said, “For a career educator, it was inspiring to see them light up when detailing their learning experiences.”

Mr. Post capped the assembly with some remarks on the origins of the program, the legacy of its namesake, former Headmaster Jack H Williams, and the importance of intellectual curiosity at large.

He invoked a quote attributed to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

“What we celebrate today is a love of learning instilled by your teachers, which is far more valuable than any lesson they might teach,” said Mr. Post.

He concluded his speech by exhorting students, “Be curious. Take intellectual risks. Ask lots of questions as you continue to study and learn. Be an interesting person.”

Williams Scholar Inductees 2024-2025

Class of 2025

Jack Davis

Liam Griesacker

Eli Holder

Max Riter

Ryan Simmons

Will Zayas

 

Class of 2026

James Barrett

Joshua Blank

Marty Dubin

Adam Lynch

 

 Class of 2027

Ian Barrera

Ariel Burdman

Joshua Caponi

Justin Fedash

Graham Feiss

Am Finein

Wynn Gardner

Jonah Goldstein

Dylan Hoffman

Kemp Kelly

Jack Kriebel

Thomas Martin

Forrest Monaghan

Zachary Onyekwere

Harrison Roberts

David Rothwell

Drew Schraeder

Ryan Whitman

Lincoln Wolff

Ryan Xu

Rami Yacoub