May 7, 2020 10:37am, Updated Dec. 29th, 2020
(WGTD)---After being kicked out of his home, 18-year-old Big Foot Union High School Senior William Russell Volmar III has earned one of the rarest distinctions of any high schooler in the country. Volmar is a US Presidential Scholars Program Semi-Finalist. An honor only 1 in 4,500 hundred students in the nation receive. Volmar will find out if he is a finalist in the program later this month.
The Scholars Program was instituted in 1964 under President Lyndon Johnson and recognizes the best and brightest high schoolers in the country. Finalists receive a Presidential Medallion during a ceremony sponsored by the White House.
Volmar and Dan Dowden, Principal of Big Foot Union High School, will appear on Generation NOW, WGTD’s show for Millennials and Generation Z hosted by Troy McDonald, this Saturday at 10:00am.
Volmar is involved in nearly a dozen groups and activities including the National Honor Society, track and field, and the Delavan Dance Factory. He also works part time at a local grocery store. After being forced out of his home last summer for being a member of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) Community, a teacher took him in. He is currently living with a friend and their family.
“Here’s a kid who has really gone through some tough times, and what he cares about is everybody else. Thank you Will, you have made me a better person.” Principal Dan Dowden shared.
Volmar received a full ride scholarship to UW-Madison where he plans to pursue a degree in Music Education. After that he’s headed to New York City to earn a graduate degree at New York University.
UPDATE: William Volmar's mother disputes her son's claims. In a statement to WGTD Volmar says that William ran away from home and was not disowned and that she is "very proud" of her son.
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