VYPE met up with Haven High School athlete Sammy Williams to find out who he is on and off the track.

VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?

Since I will be attending Hutchinson Community College, most of my goals include improving my time management. This includes staying physically active, participating and keeping my grades up in college, maintaining a good reputation at work, and keeping my personal relationships strong.

VYPE: What is the most fun you have had in the last year?

The most fun experience I had this year was getting to go to Nashville, Tennessee with the Wildcat Singers (auditioned vocal group). We got to go and see the Ryman Auditorium and the country music hall of Fame. The most important thing though was I got to spend 14 hours on a bus there and back with some of my favorite people. That was exhausting but well worth it.

VYPE: Who is your favorite teacher from any grade, and why?

I’ve had many extraordinary teachers throughout my education, but Mrs. Mathias has been one of my favorites from the get-go. She has had to put up with me for two years and multiple hours a day. She was the person that made me enjoy mathematics and pursue my education in that direction.

VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?

My favorite track memory was the meet when I got a personal record with my 4×8 team and my 3200. Even though it was pretty recent, I saw how much I had improved this year as an athlete, and it made me very proud of the work I put into distance running.

VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?

I feel like there can’t be just one teammate that has had the greatest impact on me. My 4×8 team has kept pushing me every track meet. Austin Honeycutt, Kyler Geffert, and Landon Lang have been the greatest teammates in track and cross-country.

VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?

My favorite part of being on the Haven track team is again my 4×8 team. Going into the track team, I never realized that I’d have as much fun as I had. I never saw myself as part of a relay team until this year. Plus, I just really enjoy everybody on the track team. 

VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation. Where do you go, and who do you take with you?

I would love to go to Denver, Colorado with my best friends. Including Clayton Singleton, Samuel England, Logan Smith, Cleary Percy, Paul and Sebastian Evans, and David Yoder. I could have never been so lucky to have these amazing people in my life, and I would do just about anything with them.

VYPE: If we gave you $500 and you had to spend it in the next 24 hours, what would you spend it on?

This is kinda selfish, but I would spend it on The Lord of the Rings Rivendell Lego Set. I have been a nerd for Lord of the Rings for a long time. 

VYPE: Do you participate in any community service projects?

I have been in quite a few service projects with my Scout Troop, 807. Though I’m not fully an Eagle Scout, my Eagle Project included setting up a flagpole base and removing a dead tree for Pretty Prairie Calvary Chapel.

VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?

I am a part of many clubs and organizations on campus. A few include the band, Wildcat Singers, KAYS, FFA, and FCA. I joined the band Wildcat Singers because I enjoy creating music with some of the closest people in my life. I joined KAYS (Kansas Association of Youth) to further my involvement in the school. I joined FFA (Future Farmers of America) to teach younger students about animals I have been around and taken care of. Last but not least, I joined FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) to celebrate my Christian faith with others that hold God close to their hearts.

VYPE: Are you involved in academic excellence activities such as the National Honor Society, Student Council, or other academic clubs?

I am involved in both the National Honors Society and Haven High School’s Student Council. I joined NHS as a Junior. In STUCO, I ran for class vice president but became the KAYS representative.