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) 😁
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Good morning,
It’s an honor to be here today celebrating this group of seniors.
For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Ben Will.
I’ve spent the last 18 years as a Metal Technology teacher here in Marshfield. I’ve worked closely with local industry, I’m a partner in my family’s manufacturing business, I teach at Mid-State Technical College, and I was recently elected to the Marshfield School Board.
But more importantly for today…
I’ve lived this. I’ve been in your shoes.
I was a Youth Apprentice when I was in high school. I worked for Boson Construction. Although I didn’t 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, I’ve seen this from every angle… student, parent, educator, employer. And with nearly every possible outcome.
And I can tell you this with complete confidence…
What you’ve done… is a big deal.
Because what you chose to do… wasn’t 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, you’ve learned technical skills.
But that’s 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 didn’t go as planned.
Those are life skills.
And those are exactly the skills employers are looking for.
But there’s 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 don’t 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 forward…
Your reputation.
Your reputation is one of the most important things you have.
And the truth is, it’s 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 you’re 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 don’t 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 aren’t just filling positions… they’re 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 here’s where I’m going to challenge the students.
At some point in your life, you’re going to be in a position to lead.
Maybe it’s running a crew.
Maybe it’s managing a business.
Maybe it’s owning one.
When that time comes, remember this opportunity.
And don’t just take from it… recreate it for someone else.
Because that’s how strong communities are built.
Here’s the reality…
None of us know exactly where we’re going to end up.
Careers change. Paths shift. Life happens.
But you’ve already done something most people don’t do until much later.
You’ve stepped into the real world.
You’ve tested yourself.
And you’ve proven something important…
You can handle it.
And understand this clearly…
Youth Apprenticeship means something.
When an employer sees that on your resume, it tells them…
You know how to work.
You understand responsibility.
You’ve already been tested.
That gives you an advantage.
But it’s up to you what you do with it.
Don’t 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 noticed…
But reliability, consistency, and trust is what builds a career.
Not everything is going to go according to plan.
You’re going to face adversity.
You’re going to run into situations that are frustrating, hard, or just plain unfair.
And in those moments… what matters isn’t what happened to you…
it’s 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 that’s where your character is built.
And that’s what will separate you over time.
You’ve already started building that here.
Now keep going.
From here… you’re 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 farm…
and some of you may stay right where you are, with the same company that gave you your start.
And here’s what I need you to understand…
There is success to be found in every one of those paths.
There is no “wrong” direction, only the one you commit to.
No matter what you choose, it will be right.
What matters most isn’t where you start…
it’s 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 improving…
those are the ones who separate themselves over time.
You’ve already proven you’re capable of that.
Now carry it forward.
To this group of seniors…
You’ve already proven you’re willing to do what others won’t.
That’s not just something you did…
that’s who you are.
Don’t lose that.
Don’t water it down.
Don’t become average when you’ve already proven you’re not.
Build a reputation people trust.
Stay connected to the people who helped you get here.
And when it’s 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.
We’ve already established that what you’ve 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 wasn’t required.
Your families are proud of you, because they’ve watched the effort it took to get here.
This community is proud of you, because you represent what it means to take responsibility.
And I’ll say it directly… I’m proud of you.
But here’s what matters most…
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 don’t 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.
