Community Corner
Bench Dedication In Memory Of Hunter Williams
Bench Dedication Ceremony held Dec. 6th at Medfield's Blake Middle School in memory of beloved Hunter Williams
Bench Dedication In Memory Of Beloved Hunter Williams
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, on the front lawn at the Blake Middle School a teak bench with a custom cast bronze plaque was dedicated in memory of Hunter Williams.
Hunter was an incredibly strong and courageous 14 year old student at Blake Middle School. He passed away 6 months ago on June 16th.
In June, on Blake Middle School's graduation day, 150 of Hunter’s classmates (then 8th graders) walked to his house after school to deliver hand written cards, posters and balloons to then sing “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” to Hunter who was outside of his home. About 30 parents from the class came as well. It was a beautiful moment. Hunter passed away just two days later. Hunter was a beloved classmate!
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Hunter battled a lengthy illness and to honor him, a Celebration of Life took place on September 30th with many people in the community taking part.
Hunter touched the lives of many people in this community and this bench will serve as a memory and tribute to the impact he had on everyone he touched and to help everyone remember what is inscribed.... "Slow Down and Celebrate Life". Hunter loved his school and he loved to see his friends and classmates by the front circle entrance, the bench was placed in that space and it will remain there permanently .
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Approximately 50 people attended the bench ceremony including Superintendent Marsden, Blake Principal Nat Vaughn, teachers and administrators from each building, as well as some of Hunter's 2027 classmates and their families.
Blake Middle School teacher Diana Mileszko spoke at the ceremony sharing some words she spoke at Hunter's Celebration of Life in September.
In addition, Blake Principal Nat Vaughn shared a story told to him by one of Hunter's elementary teachers. Hunter loved trains and even though he didn't have a view of a train, he would run to the window every time he heard the train's whistle. As soon as Vaughn finished telling that story, a train went through town blowing its whistle! Everyone stood still and collectively said “The train, there it is!” as Hunter’s mom, Kristen Williams, exclaimed “That’s Hunter!”! It was such a wonderful moment!
The families of the Class of 2027 gave Hunter’s parents a plant and the whole group concluded by blowing bubbles up to the sky ... to Hunter.
