HODGDON, Maine — It is on to the Final 15 for Hodgdon High School softball coach Sarah Williams in the U.S. Cellular “Most Valuable Coach” contest.
Williams, who was announced as a top 15 finalist on Thursday, said she continues to be amazed by the support she has received from the local community. She is now the only remaining finalist from the state of Maine.
“I was really excited to see I had made the top 15 because that means a $5,000 prize for Hodgdon Middle-High School,” said Williams, who is a first-grade teacher at Mill Pond Elementary School in Hodgdon. “I have to say, due to the fact this is a voter-driven contest, I wasn’t surprised to find myself in the top 15 because that’s how this community works. We rally for each other in good times and in bad.”
Sarah Williams (Contributed)
“Sarah embodies the concept of a great coach because coaching is not about the softball skills taught or wins/losses, but it is about developing a team that works together to do the very best they can,” SAD 70 Superintendent Scott Richardson said. “Sarah developed such a team whose members accomplished great things on and off the field and that is why she was nominated and why she is receiving such great support from the school and the community. SAD 70 is very proud of her accomplishments.”
At the end of the program, the final three winning coaches will receive a donation of $50,000, $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, for their schools. The company also will award the first place coach a Samsung tech prize package, valued at $30,000, for winner’s school. The winning coaches will be announced on Nov. 20.
The final 15 coaches are now listed on TheMostValuableCoach.com, and the public can vote for their favorite coaches each day, now through Nov. 13.
U.S. Cellular’s screening judges initially selected Williams to be one of the Contest’s Top 50 based, in part, on her leadership qualities and the positive impact she has had on your school and community. The first round of public voting began Sept. 18 and ran through Oct. 8.
The school also will host a celebratory event to honor Williams at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, to honor her accomplishment.
U.S. Cellular plans to create a short video detailing each coach’s story and impact on its voting website.
“I thank all who have voted and continue to vote daily,” Williams said. “It’s because of you that this has become a reality for Hodgdon.”
For more information and to vote, visit www.TheMostValuableCoach.com.
