Williams employee Sam recently was honored during Oklahoma Mentor Day at the state Capitol for his work with students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School.

Sam was selected to represent Williams’ partnership with the Oklahoma City school during the event, which comes during National Mentoring Month.

Sam, CADD Systems Support III, was one of the first employees to volunteer at the school when weekly program began three years ago.

He’s worked with several students over that time, and is mentoring two third-grade boys this year. He’s been eager to step in when new students enroll during the school year.

Sam said mentors are a positive influence by being a continued presence in the students’ lives.

“It’s about building relationships,” Sam said. “Some of the students don’t have a lot of stability in their lives but they know they can count on us to be there every Thursday.”

Sam said he too cherishes the weekly mentoring sessions.

“Those kids are amazing,” he said. “It’s exciting to see how their minds works; it’s so rewarding.”

Williams has student mentoring programs and partnerships in several locations, with dozens of employees providing academic mentoring and other volunteer assistance to schools in need.

Community Relations Specialist Merrick said Sam is one of Williams’ most dedicated volunteers.

“Sam demonstrates a professional and personal commitment to the program and his students,” she said. “He’s been a wonderful role-model for the students.”