Special to the WJH
William Bates, a senior at Ware County High School, has been chosen by the Waycross Exchange Club as its September Youth of the Month.
Bates, who competes athletically on the school’s football and tennis teams as well as its academic math team, is ranked first among 369 WCHS Class of 2025 members.
The son of Russell and Stacy Bates will be the first of seven students chosen for the award by the Exchange Club. The club recognizes seniors who’ve excelled in academics, athletics, and good citizenship.
The students receive a plaque and complete an essay in the spring to determine the Youth of the Year. The Youth of the Year will receive a $500 scholarship.
The Waycross Exchange Club winner will compete in the district competition where they will have an opportunity to win a $1,500 scholarship. The district winner will go on to the national competition with an opportunity to win a $15,000 scholarship.
Bates is member of the following organizations:
• National Honor Society;
• BETA Club;
• HOSA-Future Health Professionals;
• Math team;
• Served as president, vice president, and athletic events coordinator on the FCA Leadership Team.
His activities/honors at WCHS include:
• Varsity football for four years and was named the scholar-athlete his freshman, sophomore, and junior years;
• 2022 football state champion;
• 2023 All-Region football punter;
• 2023 Coaches Award for football;
• 2024 Preseason All-State punter and placekicker;
• Varsity tennis for four years, again named the scholar-athlete in his sophomore and junior years;
• 2023 Coaches Award for tennis;
• 2021 and 2022 Kennesaw State Math Competition (highest scorer for school);
• Principal’s Advisory Committee
• 2024 Washington Youth Tour recipient;
• AP Scholar recipient. His community service activities include:
• Member of First Baptist Blackshear Youth Group and serves on the youth leadership team;
• Member of Waycross Bank & Trust Junior Board and serves as board chairman;
• Member of Southern Forest World Junior Board;
• Served as a buddy for the Miracle League, where he assisted children and adults with disabilities in playing baseball;
• Served as a buddy at Night to Shine Waycross;
• Participated in STAR Student Buddies through BETA Club, where he was paired with a student with special needs throughout the school year. Activities included writing letters, buying holiday gifts, and having monthly meetings with them throughout the year;
• Volunteered at the DC Downtown Food Ministry, WayGreen Market, Color Run, Reindeer Run, and Called to Care Race.
In addition to his other activities, Bates has worked at Jake & Ed’s, Huckleberry Apparel, and Stewart Distribution. He also job-shadowed at SMaRT Physical Therapy and Satilla Foot and Ankle.
After graduation from WCHS, Bates said he plans to major in biology at the University of Georgia and attend medical school to become a surgeon.
