Science Hill High School

Beth Williams

C.B. Kinch did Science Hill an invaluable favor when he asked Beth Williams to join the Hilltoppers Sports Club in 1991. Williams has worked tirelessly ever since, enhancing the experiences for student-athletes.

"We sponsor Senior Night for every sport, providing flowers, a Senior Night flyer and pictures of each athlete and his or her family," she said. "We purchase T-shirts for any team that wins their conference, district or region. We help buy state rings for any individual or team that wins the state."

Williams works hospitality rooms, concession stands and sees that media guides and programs are printed. The Sports Club has helped with remodeling of locker rooms and a concession stand.

"I joined the Hilltoppers Sports Club in 1991 when my oldest child was in the seventh grade," Williams said. "My intentions were to stop when my fourth child graduated in 2003, but by that time I was teaching here. I love being involved and working with the students and parents, so I'm still here volunteering."

Lady 'Toppers basketball coach Darrell Barnwell appreciates the magnitude of Williams' contributions.

"She's working with the sports club raising money, handling the concessions and merchanidse sells," Barnwell said. "She's already planning our Senior Night activities for this season -- the parents escorting the players and we have a dinner-reception type thing. There's probably not anybody but Mrs. Williams who knows all of the different things she does.

"She probably spends as much time at the school, if not more, than a lot of the coaches do."

Williams has a history of wanting to make a difference. She worked for the U.S. Army for our years in Germany as a drug and alcohol counselor.

She also worked 20 years as office manager for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alex Williams. George Pitts and Dave Chupa hired her as a teacher in 1999, but she didn't give up the non-paying job.

She's a walking contradiction: always busy and always available to help.

"I met her when they had my little press conference when I was hired," Barnwell said. "From that point until now, it's been like, 'Any time you need anything, let me know and we'll try to do it.' I think you really have to enjoy something to do as much as she does. I know my players think the world of Mrs. Williams, and so do I."