Awards
- WCS Educator, Administrator Among Top in Tennessee
- Spotlight Awards Shine on WCS Theater Students
- Middle School Athletes Win State Titles
- Educators Named CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence
- Independence High Senior Named US Presidential Scholar
- Honoring the May Bus Drivers of the Month
- WCS Students Excel at Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair
- TV/Film Students Win Regional NATAS Awards
- WCS Students Show Skills at DECA International Conference
- RHS Girls Flag Football Becomes Back-to-Back Champions
- Holocaust Commission Honors WCS Teacher
- District Celebrates Shining Apple Volunteers
- Youth in Government Conferences Teach Students About Politics
- HOSA Students Qualify for International Leadership Conference
- Students Win Awards at TSA State Leadership Conference
- WCS High School FFA Students Advance to National Competition
- Summit High Recognized by American School Counselor Association
- TV/Film Students Win at Western Kentucky Student Media Awards
- WCS Art Students Win National Scholastic Art Medals
- GMS Wins Battle of the Books for Fifth Consecutive Year
- Page Middle Makes History at State FFA Convention
- DECA Students Bound for International Conference
- Independence High Places Second at State Science Bowl
- WCS Media Students Win State Awards
- WCS Students Sing in Tennessee Honor Choirs
- WCS Robotics Teams Make History
- CES Student Visits State Capitol After Essay Contest Win
- Ravenwood High Becomes First-Time History Bowl Winners
- WCS Wrestlers Earn State Titles
- BHS Student Gets Research Paper Published
- WCS Students Break Yet Another National Merit Finalist Record
- Superintendent Golden Surprises Classified Employees of the Year
- BHS Student Named Finalist in Nationwide Science Talent Search
- Mill Creek Middle Students Win Big at Junior Theater Festival
- Mid, All-State Theater Students Announced
- TES Student Wins State Essay Contest
- PHS JROTC Students Sweep Williamson County Air Rifle League
- WCS Students Win Middle TN Scholastic Art Awards
- MCES Educator Named Reading Teacher of the Year
- WCS Announces Employees of the Year
- Grassland Middle Boys, Girls Sweep WMAA Soccer Championships
- NHS Band Director Wins Manilow Music Award
- Student Musicians Join Mid, All-State Bands, Orchestras
- Model United Nations Gives Students Inside Look at Government
- EIC Students Win MTSU Entrepreneurship Fair
- WCS TV/Film Students Win National Awards
- Ravenwood High's Principal Receives National Honor
- WCS Choir Students Join Mid-State, All-State Choirs
- WCS Students Capture Cross-Country State Titles
- Page High Girls Soccer Team Defends State Title
- WCS Bands Sweep Contest of Champions
- Page High FFA Member Places First in Nation
- WCS Educators Recognized by CMA Foundation
- WCS Middle School Athletes Win State Titles
- WCS Marching Bands Take Home Awards
- Students Earn National Recognition Awards
- BHS Debate Team Places Fifth at Nationals
- IHS JROTC Team Makes History in National Competition
- Celebrating WCS Student-Athletes at WILLCO Awards
- WCS Students Receive Seals of Biliteracy
- High School Athletes Win State Titles in Spring Fling
- WCS Middle School Athletes Take 10 TMSAA State Titles
- Spotlight Shines on WCS Theater Students
- WCS Music Educators Recognized by Country Music Association
- Schools Represent WCS at State Science Olympiad
- RHS Flag Football Wins Inaugural District Tournament
- Ravenwood High Robotics Wins First National Championship
- Media Students Win Regional NATAS Awards
- WCS Students Get Inside Look at Government
- Students Compete at HOSA State Leadership Conference
- Math League Brings Out Best, Brightest Students
- WCS Students Excel at TSA State Conference
- FFA Students Win State Awards, Earn Degrees
- Grassland Middle Takes Battle of the Books Victory
- WCS Art Students Throw Down
- BMS Robotics Teams Headed for World Championship
- CES Educator Named TPAC Teacher of the Year
- BHS, FHS Media Students Win at Western Kentucky University
- WCS High School Principal Recognized by State Organization
- WCS Music Students Excel in Spring Assessments
- Five WCS Schools to Make Appearance at State Science Olympiad
- WCS Speech, Debate Students to Compete at Nationals
- BHS, RHS Robotics Teams Advance to Worlds Competition
- DECA Students Qualify for International Conference
- WCS Supervisor Named Regional Coordinator of the Year
- WCS Students Earn Accolades from Tennessee High School Press Association
- Franklin High Senior Wins Brentwood History Bowl
- RHS Educator Named Geography Teacher of the Year
- WCS Wrestlers Take State Titles, Make School History
- RHS Girls Wrestling Makes History at Regional Tournament
- Honoring the Departmental Classified Employees of the Year
- Middle School Students to Perform in Honor Choirs
- MCMS Theater Shows Excellence in Music
- WCS Art Students Win Gold, Silver Keys
- WCS Students Set Mid, All-State Theater Record
- District Announces Teachers, Classified Employees of the Year
- Mid, All-State Choirs Announced
- Students Join Mid, All-State Bands, Orchestras
- Summit High Athlete Named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football
- EIC Honored by Tennessee School Boards Association
- WCS Executive Director Receives State Award
- Kenrose Teacher Named Elementary Art Educator of the Year
- Franklin Band Competes in Grand National Championships
- Middle, High School Students Attend Model United Nations Conference
- WCS Football Players Named Mr. Football Semifinalists
- HES Educator Named Honored Teacher
- Music Teachers Recognized by Country Music Association
- Students Outrun Competition at Cross-Country State Championship
- High School Marching Bands Hit Right Notes in Competition
- Page High Girls Soccer Makes History
- NHS Volleyball Wins Third Consecutive State Championship
- WCS High School Media Students Nominated for National Awards
- WCS Golfers Win State Titles
- Middle Schools Crowned State Champs in Cross Country
- Sub of the Month - Haley Harris
- Williamson County Schools Recognized as a Top Performing District
- Alumni Achiever - Mary Margaret Williamson, Summit High Class of 2015
- Fairview Team Wins Dixie Darlings World Series
- AP Capstone Diploma, Certificate Students Smash District Record
- Independence High Student Places in SkillsUSA Competition
- Page Middle TSA Students Place Second in Nation
- Page High FFA Students Reap Rewards at State Convention
- Summit High Student Project on Display at Smithsonian Museum
- Student-Athletes Take State Titles at Spring Fling
- Students Earn Seals of Biliteracy
- WCS Schools Help Drive Away Hunger
- Grassland Middle Continues Battle of the Books Winning Streak
- BHS Athlete Wins Gatorade State Player of the Year
- Media Students Win Big at NATAS Awards
- WCS Students Shine at Media Contests
- Science Olympiad Teams Win State Honors
- History Teacher Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
- Robotics Teams Qualify for VEX World Competition
- Historical Scholars to Compete in National History Day
- WCS Teachers Recognized by Tennessee Association for the Gifted
- Youth in Government Gives Students Inside Look at Politics
- Mathematical Minds Bring Home Awards for WCS
- Franklin High JROTC Team to Compete in National Academic Bowl
- Middle, High Schools Advance to National Technology Conference
- Franklin High Teacher Wins Technology Educator of the Year
- Independence High Teams Sweep JROTC Air Rifle League
- WCS Celebrates Employees of the Year
- WCS Teacher Among Top Educators in State
- Elementary Students Compete at Camp Mini Mu
- Undefeated High School Winter Guards Take State Championships
- High School DECA Students Advance to Internationals
- TV/Film Students Nominated for Regional Production Awards
- Independence High Artist Hones Creative Passion
- Summit High Artist Earns American Vision Medal
- Woodland Middle Student Wins National Writing Award
- Centennial High Student Named to All-State Jazz Band
- Students Represent WCS in Middle School Mid-State Bands, Orchestras
- CHS to Represent Tennessee at WorldQuest National Competition
- High Schools Receive United Way Star Recruiter Awards
- Independence High Takes Third at TN Science Bowl
- Page High Student Named Middle Tennessee Star Greenhand
- Media Students Shine at State Competition
- Grassland Middle Sweeps Basketball Championships
- Centennial High Wins Brentwood History Bowl
- Fairview High Wrestler Brings Home State Championship
- WCS Academic Excellence Continues with National Merit Finalists Announced
- Alumni Achievers - Peyton, Tristan Pisacane, Centennial Class of 2016
- Woodland Middle Students Wins Writing Award
- Fairview High Wrestling Makes History
- Franklin High Receives TN Pathway Certification
- Mid, All-State Theater Students Take Stage
- Celebration Continues with Classified Employees of the Year
- Celebrations Begin for WCS Teachers of the Year
- Two WCS Schools Earn AP Diversity Award
- Franklin High Band Director Named 40 Under 40
- Mid, All-State Bands, Orchestras Announced
- Students Win Scholastic Art Awards
- Students Named to All-State Choirs
- Centennial High Media Program Nominated for National Student Production Award
- Summit High Wins TSSAA Football Championship
- Students Named to Mid-State Choir
- Grassland Middle Sweeps WMAA Soccer Championships
- Summit High Named RTI School of Recognition
- Football Players Advance to Mr. Football Finals
- Three Football Players Named Mr. Football Semifinalists
- Cross-Country Athletes Earn Team, Individual State Titles
- Ravenwood High Girls Soccer Wins State Championship
- Brentwood, Nolensville Defend State Volleyball Championships
- Middle Schools Named WMAA Tennis County Champions
- EIC Student Earns Place in Entrepreneurial Weekend
- Page Middle Wins WMAA Golf Championships
- Educator Wins Distinguished New Teacher Award
- Middle School Teams Win Championship Titles
- Ravenwood High Student Wins Bookmark Contest
- Page High Athletic Director Receives National Certification
- Students Earn AP Capstone Diplomas
- Franklin High Student Earns District’s First IB Bilingual Diploma
- Centennial High PSA Tells Passengers to Buckle Up
- Student Songs Performed at Country Music Hall of Fame Virtual Event
- Theater Students Take Top Honors at Spotlight Awards
- Research Journal Publishes Page High Student’s Paper
Alumni Achiever - Mary Margaret Williamson, Summit High Class of 2015
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Published August 31, 2021
If it wasn't for an injury she suffered in high school, Summit High School alumna Mary Margaret Williamson may have never found her passion in life. Mary Margaret was introduced to the world of athletic training as a freshman while playing for the school's varsity softball team. Fast forward 10 years and the former Spartan is in her first semester as a Ph.D. student with the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Alabama.
What led you to want to study the field of athletic training?
I guess the story really started freshman year of high school when I was playing for Summit High School's varsity softball team. I got injured and was treated by the school's athletic trainer, Meg Stockham, who introduced me to the allied healthcare profession of athletic training. After my sophomore season, I hung up my cleats in favor of shadowing Ms. Stockham and serving as an athletic training student aide learning the ins and outs of sports medicine. I continued to work under her guidance through my senior year while completing College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) Health Science courses at Summit.
Upon graduating from high school, I attended the University of Alabama on a full Presidential Scholarship and was accepted into the Athletic Training Program my sophomore year. During my time in the program, I had the privilege of working with many of the university's athletics teams, including the football team, both men's and women's basketball teams and the swimming and diving team. I was able to travel with the football team during their 2017 National Championship season and worked both the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship games. I also was able to travel with the men's basketball team. During my time in the program, I was also able to work at a local high school, which was an exciting time for me as high school athletic training was, and still is to an extent, where my passion lies. Upon completion of the program, graduating summa cum laude and passing the athletic training certification exam (the Board of Certification), I continued my studies at the University of Toledo, where I received my master's in exercise science with a concentration in athletic training. During my time in Toledo, I served as the graduate assistant athletic trainer for Toledo Christian Schools, Delta High School and EL Bowsher High School. The variety of school settings as well as my patients' cultural diversity helped me not only learn and grow as a clinician, but also as a person.
While completing my master's thesis, I discovered that I also have a passion for research, as well as a growing devotion to advocating for my profession. I decided that while I will always love working with patients and being on the front lines of healthcare, I also care deeply about the advancement of a profession that has already enriched my life beyond measure these last eight years. With that thought in mind, I applied to the Health Education and Promotion Ph.D. program at my alma mater in the School of Public Health with the hopes of gaining the necessary knowledge and experiences to pursue a career in athletic training education, promotion and research. In the future, it is my goal to teach in a Master of Science in athletic training program (the new current entry level standard for the profession) where I can help raise the next generation of athletic trainers while serving on National Athletic Training Association (NATA) committees and conducting research in an effort to raise awareness, support and advocate for athletic trainers and the patients we treat.
What did you enjoy most about your high school experience?
When I look back at my time in high school, the thing that sticks out the most to me was the true sense of ownership and community that we had. During his tenure as principal, Dr. Charles Farmer really fostered a culture of student ownership of their high school experience. We were brand new, so we got to set the precedent and the traditions that would hopefully be a legacy for years to come. Students were often involved in a variety of activities, so friend groups often spanned multiple disciplines and interests. Athletes were active in the arts departments, and we had students involved in culinary and health sciences. This sense of community and ownership really left an impression on me and has led me to pursue diverse experiences throughout my life. I myself was involved in a variety of activities outside of athletic training and athletics, including Health Occupational Students of America (HOSA), National Honors Society (NHS), National Technical Honors Society (NTHS) and Key Club. I was even in Summit's production of The Wizard of Oz my senior year.
What WCS teacher(s) made a difference in your life and how?
I had many teachers who I would consider instrumental to my current success. Deborah Bohn helped me elevate my writing and critical thinking skills and also provided me with the opportunity to travel abroad and be exposed to other diverse cultures and their rich histories. Christina Isong encouraged my development as a future healthcare professional in my many health science courses. Deedee Montgomery and Melanie Robe helped me to excel academically, pushing me to work hard during my demanding Advanced Placement (AP) and honors schedule. James Cherry taught me to persevere through tough subjects in which I lacked an affinity for, so much so that I even took AP chemistry with him after honors chemistry just to continue to challenge myself. Annie Rice helped me to overcome significant public speaking anxiety, which has been and will continue to be instrumental in my current career trajectory. Finally, I owe significant credit for where I am today to Meg Stockham, my high school athletic trainer, who without her I would never have found my calling.
Do you have any advice for current WCS students?
The greatest advice I can give to WCS students is try and go to a college or technical school (if that is your path, and it's okay if it isn't!) somewhere that offers a diverse student population and opportunities and programs that fit your interests. I have learned so much from my peers who come from different cultures, socioeconomic statuses, backgrounds and interests, and because of this I believe I have a more well-developed world view that has only bettered me as a healthcare provider and person. The more perspectives you hear, the more you can learn and grow, helping you to become more well-rounded, compassionate people with better communication skills and empathy. It's okay if you don't know what you want to do right now, but try to get involved in activities you are interested in. This goes for both high school and college. And hey, it never hurts to try something new! You never know what you might find interesting!