William Botz has been named valedictorian of the 2024 PUHS graduating class.
William grew up in Patagonia and attended the Montessori elementary school. Throughout his four years at PUHS his course of study emphasized the natural sciences, especially biology, and included all the math and science courses he could take. William especially enjoyed art classes where he learned to “express what I felt about animals.”
At PUHS, William participated in student government as a class representative for two years and National Honor Society for three. He was a member of the soccer team for one year and the tennis team for two years. Outside of school he has participated in the Borderlands Earth Care Youth project, which has involved restoration projects, working with watersheds and creating a mural that aids in community building and place making. In addition, William has enjoyed taking part in church activities and volunteering for various organizations.
William lives with his parents Erin and Jason and his brothers Andrew, Nicholas, and Thomas. The family has two cats and two Nigerian dwarf goats, which William looks after. William loves being outside, bike riding, and working and being with animals. He loves living in Patagonia with “its proximity to the natural world. The diversity of plant and animal life here has gotten me interested in all sorts of animals.”
This fall William will head to Northern Arizona University to study ecology and evolutionary biology. He sees a future for himself “working somewhere in the U.S. or another country with animals. My dad is an entomologist, always working with animals, and he has influenced my career path.”
William is grateful to his parents for their support through the years and to his teachers, especially Ms. Hayes, who instilled in him a love of literature and taught him ways to express his ideas. Another big influencer was Cassina Farley, his art teacher, who taught him so much about expressing himself through art.
“I have so many fond memories of William both at PUHS and at the Art Center. I’m glad to have witnessed his progression throughout the years and to see him hit his full potential,” said Farley. “I cant wait to see what he does with his life. I know it will be great.”