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William Hawkins (center) presented resolution in his honor by County Commissions Danny Wright (left) and Eddie Wright (right).
Vance County social worker and champion powerlifter William Hawkins was honored by unanimous Vance County Board of Commissioners resolution on Monday night for his many accomplishments.
Hawkins began powerlifting in the fall of 1977 and has won numerous championships in powerlifting from federations such as AAU, USPF, NASA, USAPL, and ADEPA. He has also been honored as the AAU Coach of the Year for 2004 and 2005.
Most recently, Hawkins was inducted into the North Carolina Barbell Hall of Fame, the first time an African-American has been so honored.
Hawkins initiated and developed Project LIFT (Life skills Involving Fitness Training), a mentoring program that combines his love of his chosen sport with his work with young people as a means of reaching at-risk youth. 150 young people have benefitted from the program.
On a personal note, this reporter works with Mr. Hawkins at E.M. Rollins Elementary School. His dedication to the well-being and the welfare of the children who are our mutual charges is not only obvious, but it shines through in everything he does. Whenever we fear for the safety or well-being of a child outside of the school environment, Mr. Hawkins is our go-to man. In the pursuit of what is best for the students, he is truly tireless and relentless. We are lucky to have him at our school and this reporter, for one, feels better knowing that he can turn to Mr. Hawkins if the need arises, as he has done in the past and, sadly, will doubtless need to do in the future.
Our community is a better place for having such caring and dedicated people as Mr. Hawkins in it.
A copy of the resolution may be viewed here.