05/06/2026
I was asked by the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry to deliver the Keynote Address at this year's Youth Apprenticeship Recognition Breakfast. What a great turnout and what a great event! Just an awesome way to celebrate the hardwork and dedication of SO MANY area students. I am so proud of them and am excited for their futures!
A huge THANK YOU, to all of the area businesses that support this program and put in the effort to ensure a strong community!
And finally, thank you to MACCI and all of the school partners that make this happen.
*As always, this post does not necessarily reflect the view of the board and is simply my personal thoughts*
(For those of you that may need help falling asleep tonight, here is the speech) đ
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Good morning,
Itâs an honor to be here today celebrating this group of seniors.
For those of you I havenât met, my name is Ben Will.
Iâve spent the last 18 years as a Metal Technology teacher here in Marshfield. Iâve worked closely with local industry, Iâm a partner in my familyâs manufacturing business, I teach at Mid-State Technical College, and I was recently elected to the Marshfield School Board.
But more importantly for todayâŚ
Iâve lived this. Iâve been in your shoes.
I was a Youth Apprentice when I was in high school. I worked for Boson Construction. Although I didnât pursue that exact career path, the experience was second to none. Four years later, when I was interviewing for my first teaching job, the school that hired me was specifically looking for a teacher with real world construction experience. Youth Apprenticeship has helped shape me in so many aspects of my life.
My son was a two year YA student. He graduated in 2024, and was given the opportunity to stay with the same company while completing his two-year tech degree in Machine Tool and Business... and was recently offered a well-paid full-time position!
My daughter is a current senior and is completing her second year working in Human Resources at Marshfield Utilities and will be attending UW-Madison in the fall.
So, Iâve seen this from every angle⌠student, parent, educator, employer. And with nearly every possible outcome.
And I can tell you this with complete confidenceâŚ
What youâve done⌠is a big deal.
Because what you chose to do⌠wasnât easy.
You chose early mornings.
You chose late nights.
You chose to go to work on days when everyone else was hoping for a snow day.
You chose responsibility.
And that separates you.
Only a small percentage of your graduating class is in this room.
I notice that.
And whether you realize it or not⌠people in this community notice that too.
You are a positive role model... right now.
Yes, youâve learned technical skills.
But thatâs not the most important thing you gained.
You learned how to show up.
You learned accountability.
You learned how to communicate, how to be part of a team, how to solve real problems when things didnât go as planned.
Those are life skills.
And those are exactly the skills employers are looking for.
But thereâs something else you gained that might be even more valuable.
The people.
The people you worked with⌠the supervisors who pushed you⌠the coworkers who took the time to teach you.
Those relationships matter.
Because those people donât just disappear after today.
They become references.
They become mentors.
They become connections that help open doors later in life.
They become a part of YOUR team.
Stay connected.
And that leads to something I want you to take seriously from this point forwardâŚ
Your reputation.
Your reputation is one of the most important things you have.
And the truth is, itâs already being built.
Every time you show up late⌠people notice.
Every time you cut corners⌠people notice.
Every time you go above and beyond⌠people notice!
And I promise you, people talk.
So give them something good to talk about.
Treat people right. Do what you say youâre going to do.
Now I want to take a moment to recognize something in addition to this group of students.
The companies.
The businesses in this community who choose to invest in programs like Youth Apprenticeship.
They donât have to do this.
It takes time.
It takes effort.
It takes patience.
But they do it anyway, because they believe in this community, and they believe in you.
These companies arenât just filling positions⌠theyâre building the future workforce of this community.
And that matters.
I greatly appreciate ALL of the business partners in this room. None of my personal awards and successes were earned alone. I consider many of you an integral part of my personal team.
I sincerely thank you for your time and effort that you put into Youth Apprenticeship. It is making a difference.
And hereâs where Iâm going to challenge the students.
At some point in your life, youâre going to be in a position to lead.
Maybe itâs running a crew.
Maybe itâs managing a business.
Maybe itâs owning one.
When that time comes, remember this opportunity.
And donât just take from it⌠recreate it for someone else.
Because thatâs how strong communities are built.
Hereâs the realityâŚ
None of us know exactly where weâre going to end up.
Careers change. Paths shift. Life happens.
But youâve already done something most people donât do until much later.
Youâve stepped into the real world.
Youâve tested yourself.
And youâve proven something importantâŚ
You can handle it.
And understand this clearlyâŚ
Youth Apprenticeship means something.
When an employer sees that on your resume, it tells themâŚ
You know how to work.
You understand responsibility.
Youâve already been tested.
That gives you an advantage.
But itâs up to you what you do with it.
Donât waste it.
This is just the beginning.
Keep showing up early.
Keep doing the little things right.
Keep being the person people can count on.
Because talent might get you noticedâŚ
But reliability, consistency, and trust is what builds a career.
Not everything is going to go according to plan.
Youâre going to face adversity.
Youâre going to run into situations that are frustrating, hard, or just plain unfair.
And in those moments⌠what matters isnât what happened to youâŚ
itâs how you respond to it.
Do you show up anyway?
Do you take responsibility?
Do you keep moving forward and find a way through it?
This is where you rely on your reputation and your team.
Because thatâs where your character is built.
And thatâs what will separate you over time.
Youâve already started building that here.
Now keep going.
From here⌠youâre all heading in different directions.
Some of you are going to a four-year university.
Some of you are going to a technical college.
Some of you are heading into the workforce, the military, or to the farmâŚ
and some of you may stay right where you are, with the same company that gave you your start.
And hereâs what I need you to understandâŚ
There is success to be found in every one of those paths.
There is no âwrongâ direction, only the one you commit to.
No matter what you choose, it will be right.
What matters most isnât where you startâŚ
itâs how you show up once you get there.
Never stop learning.
Never get comfortable being average.
Keep asking questions.
Keep taking on challenges.
Keep finding ways to get better.
Because the people who grow⌠the people who keep improvingâŚ
those are the ones who separate themselves over time.
Youâve already proven youâre capable of that.
Now carry it forward.
To this group of seniorsâŚ
Youâve already proven youâre willing to do what others wonât.
Thatâs not just something you didâŚ
thatâs who you are.
Donât lose that.
Donât water it down.
Donât become average when youâve already proven youâre not.
Build a reputation people trust.
Stay connected to the people who helped you get here.
And when itâs your turn, pull someone else up with you.
Congratulations... this is a very big deal!
And before I wrap up⌠I want you to take a second and recognize something.
Weâve already established that what youâve accomplished here⌠matters.
And you should take pride in that.
Your employers are proud of you, because you showed up and did the work.
Your teachers are proud of you, because you stepped up when it wasnât required.
Your families are proud of you, because theyâve watched the effort it took to get here.
This community is proud of you, because you represent what it means to take responsibility.
And Iâll say it directly⌠Iâm proud of you.
But hereâs what matters mostâŚ
The future version of you, the one five, ten, fifteen years down the road,
is going to look back at this moment and be proud of you.
And this is the very last thing. I've never been known as the funny teacher... or the witty one, or the cool teacher or the best dressed... but I've always worked hard to make sure that my students knew that I truly cared about them as a person and cared deeply about their futures. At the end of every school year, I make sure to let my students know that I have their back. Sometimes you just need someone in your corner⌠for support, to cheer you on, to be there when things donât go right⌠to EVERYONE in this room⌠I believe in you... and I have your back. Please reach out if you ever need anything.
Thank you.
