The Williamsonian Fall 2017 | Page 8

8

A group of students and alumni made Williamson’ s 16th trip to use their trade skills to improve the hospital in the small, impoverished town of Paraiso, Dominican Republic, last spring as a part of Service Week.

Williamson groups, which are largely responsible for the hospital being built, began the project 22 years ago.

On this trip they refurbished the well used hospital which has seen 45,000 procedures since 2015 when it opened.

Mark Specht 7W7, Williamson’ s chaplain, led the group which included 15 students and Dick Dunlap 6W5, Phil Lock 6W9, Chris Goodman 0W9, and Specht’ s son, Lars, 14.

The trip also included making repairs at a school in Santo Domingo and at two mission organizations.

Specht said,“ It was a great feeling to see the hospital, that in our limited way we helped build, being fully operational. It’ s a Williamson legacy that is humbling and I’ m so proud to be a part of it. We know we accomplished something. God used us to do this service to others.

“ It was a blessing to be there working on it again. We were pleased to see it is in continual use. It’ s well-worn and we are praying and hoping it will continue to be used for a long time. It has made a difference in the lives of the people there who earlier had limited medical services.”

Dunlap said,“ In the midst of a very difficult situation, our guys were‘ rock stars.’ They all worked very hard and did a great job. I was so proud of them. They were Williamson at its best.”

Lock said,“ I was glad to have the opportunity to travel with the students during Service Week to the Dominican Republic. Interacting and working alongside the students in a different culture was very rewarding.”

Caleb Hawkins, a junior horticulture student, said“ The trip was life changing. I never thought I would be a part of something so amazing, but I took the chance to make a difference in the world and I’ m glad I did it.”

Jereimi Ortiz, a junior carpenter, said“ Each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of god’ s grace in its various forms.”- 1 Peter 4:10. To me that was the gift I was given. It was to go back to my country and help out a community.”

Peter Gaglio said,“ The Dominican Republic trip showed me the power people have by uniting together to help others. During the service trip, I saw how close people were even when having nothing. The Dominican people have smiles on their faces, laughing, and making the

2017-18 Alumni Association President

James Simpson 1W2, who is probably the youngest Alumni Association president in Williamson history, is hoping his youth will inspire other recent graduates to join the Association and get involved in their school.

As Association president, Simpson also serves one year on the board of trustees, also making him possibly the youngest trustee in Williamson history.

Simpson said,“ I’ m excited to be serving Williamson as Association president and it’ s a very good feeling to be the youngest trustee in Williamson history.”

Simpson grew up in Havertown and while a student at Haverford High

James Simpson 1W2

School, knew he wanted to go to Williamson to study carpentry.

While at Williamson, he served as his class’ president. As an Ambassador, he gave Michael Rounds, then a candidate for the presidency, his first campus tour. He also served on the Hours Appeals Board, Student Council, and Rule Change Committee. He also was selected for advanced leadership training.

He was inducted into the prestigious I. V. Club and at Commencement received the Frank McKee Memorial Award for reflecting the values of Williamson, and the Work-Service Award for service above the call of duty.

“ I am glad I went to Williamson. I took to the school well and didn’ t mind the structure. I made great friendships with my classmates. That made it more enjoyable and we looked out for one another. Williamson helped me get a job right after graduation and I’ ve been successful ever since.”

For the last five years he has worked at the Whiting-Turner Co. He began as an assistant field engineer was recently promoted to superintendent.

He got involved with the Association four years ago and has put on three successful Beef n Beers to raise money for the Association and to promote bonding among alumni. This April he will hold the fifth Beef n Beer.

One and a half years ago he bought a house in West Chester.

The Williamson group in the Dominican Republic where they provided aid to a hospital, school, and two mission organizations.

best out of having nothing. I was able to see how creative the kids were making toys out of things such as sticks, rocks and bottles they found. There were three very young kids standing where I was painting at the hospital and once I saw them I invited them over to help me paint. They spoke Spanish and I speak English, so it was quite difficult. But with some physical communication, we all connected and I was able to teach

Continued from page 1 the fire sprinkler material; Huber Wood Products issued a large cash refund because they were able to use all ZIP wall and Advantech plywood products; Jim Goldhorn, owner of Goldhorn Electric, was contracted to perform all of the electrical work, but also spent many hours designing the alternative electric service and new transformer, saving the project over $ 50,000 and making it possible to replace the old electric switch box that had needed replacing for several years. Goldhorn also valueengineered all of the fixtures to get the best value.

From Good Mechanical, Rod Kratz, the owner, Adam Clemmer, of the Plumbing Division, Glen Bolks, of the HVAC Division, and Keith Hunsberger, of the HVAC Division, though contracted for all of the HVAC and plumbing work, value-engineered the systems, saving Williamson over $ 15,000 and making it possible to make the building use more plant-generated steam and hot water than was originally anticipated. This will reduce the dependence on natural gas for the vast majority of the them how to paint. Something they and I will never forget. It was a very intimate interaction.

“ The one thing that impacted me the most were the people we met. Every person was so inviting and welcoming. Every person I met made me feel like I’ ve known them for my whole life. The Dominican Republic trip is something I will never forget and an experience that forever changed me.”

time that hot water will be in demand when the students are living in the dorm, and will also greatly reduce the long-term operating costs of the system because of removing the dependence on natural gas, which now will only be used when the plant is not online and or when demand for hot water exceeds the capacity, which should be rare.

This construction project also provided students with some practical hands-on experience. Masonry students helped construct the elevator shaft, carpenters worked with Rinker and Brown installing the interior trim, painters, under the direction of Mario Centroni, did much painting, and horticulture students designed and installed the landscaping.

David Watson said,“ My father would be very proud of this new dormitory, knowing the Watson name would be remembered in perpetuity on the campus of the school he loved. Although he couldn’ t be here today, we all know he is smiling down from above.”

Next, a ribbon on the front porch was cut by Blackney; Cava; Marie Watson, wife of Wayne Watson; and Ray Drulik, president of the Class of 1W8.