MOUNT VERNON – Not everyone would embrace the nickname “The Mule.” But then, not everyone has the focus, the determination and the achievements of Evan Williams.
Why “The Mule”? More about that in a moment.
Williams, a senior, was the Knox County Career Center’s nominee for the 2025 Franklin B. Walter Scholastic Award, sponsored by the Knox Educational Service Center. Already employed at Worthington Steel, he will attend Columbus State University for two years before moving on to Miami University at Oxford to complete a degree in electro mechanical engineering.
Williams’ academic record and his leadership skills as a member of the Air Force Junior ROTC are impressive. In the essay that accompanied his Walter award application, he emphasized his determination to be productive in society and to never stop learning. But his No. 1 goal in life sets an example for all of us.
“This goal is somewhat of an uncommon one, but one I think is deeply important, and that is to be happy,” he said. “For me, the reason that I get out of bed in the morning and do the things that I do has always been the same, and that is to enjoy the life that I have been gifted to the highest degree possible.”
Williams has demonstrated that philosophy at KCCC. An academic honor roll member throughout high school, he has served as a KCCC student council trustee, SkillsUSA chapter president and as JROTC Flight Commander and Raider Team leader.
In a letter supporting Williams’ Walter award nomination, LTC (Ret) Christopher Salvucci, senior aerospace science instructor at KCCC, described Williams as “a remarkable young man.”
“In JROTC, we encourage students to succeed academically, athletically and in humble service. Evan has embraced all three,” Salvucci wrote. “Evan has shown remarkable maturity, managing nearly perfect attendance at school and work.”
Williams has excelled in the precision machining lab at KCCC, a first step to becoming “the best possible engineer that I can be.”
“An electro mechanical engineer deals with things that run with electric motors, everything from electric cars to robotic arms,” Williams said. “This will provide me with a stable career while I pursue other interests like EMS and firefighting jobs.”
Williams completed an emergency medical technician course at the Knox Technical Center at night. He already has achieved Firefighter 1 certification and is working on the Firefighter 2 level.
“I plan to volunteer to serve the community as an EMT and firefighter,” he said. “That is important to me.”
Cassandra Gray, Williams’ calculus teacher at KCCC, has no doubt he will succeed in all of his goals.
“Evan is a kind and ambitious, hard worker. His work ethic and character never fail to impress,” she wrote in support of his Walter award nomination. “Evan has a heart to serve others and his community.”
Williams has another important focus throughout his life journey.
“I never want to stop learning. I want to know more about everything,” he said. “I am interested in 3D printing and amateur photography. I like to work on cars and I have a motorcycle.”
Now, about that nickname…
Salvucci explained that Williams pushed himself physically to score 85 percent on the JROTC fitness test after scoring only 38 percent a year ago.
“Evan decided that he expected more from himself and his training at a local gym resulted in a nearly 50 percent increase in his scores, an increase I rarely see in two years,” Salvucci said. “Evan was a leader on our JROTC fitness competition this year. He was recognized as one of our top performers and was amiably called “The Mule,” by his teammates due to his incredible strength and dogged determination.”
Williams displayed those qualities on his Raider team’s obstacle course run. When he noticed that a female member was faltering, he hoisted her over his shoulder and carried her over the final obstacle.
Whether as an electro mechanical engineer or as a volunteer EMT and firefighter, “The Mule’s” primary goals will not change.
“I just want to be happy, serve my community and never stop learning.”