Unsung Heroes: Mrs. Williams

Photo provided by Melody Williams.

Sienna Kenney

At every high school, there’s someone behind the scenes making magic happen—quietly connecting students to opportunities, calming their nerves, and turning big dreams into real plans. At Hamilton High School, that person is Melody Williams, the school’s dedicated scholarship liaison and a true unsung hero.

Since joining Hamilton in September 2019, Mrs. Williams has been a constant source of support and guidance for both students and staff. “Time has flown by!” she says, remembering how just six months into her new role, the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone into uncharted territory. But even amid the chaos, Mrs. Williams didn’t miss a beat. The 2019 scholarship ceremony quickly became a virtual experience made up of pre-recorded messages from staff and community members. By 2020, it returned in a hybrid format—held at the Fine Arts Center with only students and presenters in attendance, while families watched via livestream.

From those early challenges to today’s packed application seasons, Mrs. Williams has become an essential part of Hamilton’s student success. She not only oversees the scholarship process but also lends her energy and expertise to the entire Student Services team. Whether it’s sending reminders, organizing documents, or offering a word of encouragement, she’s the calm, capable presence that students rely on.

“The best part of my job is my team (the actual best :) and getting to know the students,” Mrs. Williams says. “I loved the high school years with both of my kiddos, so I enjoy getting to experience that every day I come to work.”

And her students love her right back. Senior John Baker says, “It was so nice having someone who was so knowledgeable helping guide us through a complicated and unique process.”

Aadhi Balaji adds, “Applying for scholarships this year was a lot easier with all of the resources that Mrs. Williams had available for us. It was seamless finding relevant scholarships for me to apply for. The ceremony was really great as well and it was a great celebration for all of the hard work that our class put into applying for college and these scholarships.”

For Gabby Weisgerber, Melody’s support was not just practical—it was personal. She states, “Ms. Williams has been so incredible and helpful in all the work she has put into informing the students at HHS about all the scholarship opportunities we have. She has been so organized and sends out reminders that have helped me so much as I am not at all organized. Ms. Williams was also very helpful because when I would miss deadlines, she was very gracious and sometimes able to help me out even if I missed something—which was amazing! I am so grateful she has been here to help me in my senior year!”

While helping many of my peers attain scholarships to world-renowned institutions, she also made a big impact in my college journey while I was seeking scholarships to help me attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mrs. Williams was an amazing help with calming my nerves about Madison scholarships and making sure my Common App application was all submitted. She put on an amazing scholarship ceremony and created opportunities for so many kids to ease the financial burden of college. I am so grateful for her help!

When she’s not at Hamilton, you’ll find Mrs. Williams sipping chai, spending time with family and friends, diving into a good book, or heading to a concert. She’s recently taken an interest in the link between nutrition and mental health—a subject she’s been passionately researching.

She may humbly joke that her own high school days were “so long ago I barely remember,” but at Hamilton, Melody Williams is unforgettable. Her warmth, organization, and dedication have opened doors for countless students by helping them chase dreams they might not have thought possible.

For all she’s done and continues to do, I am so proud to celebrate Melody Williams as one of Hamilton High School’s Unsung Heroes.