Hilton High School senior Will DePrez epitomizes perseverance, determination and grit. Recently, Jennifer Monfiletto, social studies teacher, shared a letter of recommendation that she wrote for Will, who is planning to attend college and pursue a degree in Environmental Engineering next fall.
“What most may not know about William are the obstacles that he has had to face at a young age. At age 14, William collapsed and went into cardiac arrest at a soccer practice. William was unknowingly born with a heart complication. He had to overcome heart failure due to an Anomalous Coronary Artery. Due to the rareness of his diagnosis, he spent months relearning fundamental everyday lifestyle activities, such as eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, breathing, and talking. As Will has told me, with all that he went through, in the end he was able to return to school and soccer with a miraculous recovery, a diagnosis and recovery that no doctor could really explain. William’s recovery is simply a miracle. William exemplifies persistence, tenacity, and determination. He is truly a hero in my eyes. William lives his life to the fullest every day.”
Will was part of the Cadets soccer team that finished second in the state. His dad, Jim DePrez, Hilton physical education teacher, said that his son always sets the bar high for himself.
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