John Christian Williams '10

What year did you graduate from St. George’s?

I graduated from St. George’s in 2010.

Where did you go to college? 

I attended Louisiana State University.

Where do you live now? 

I currently live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

What are you doing now? 

I am living the dream that so many people helped me towards,beginning in 2005, with filming numerous St. George’s athletic events. JCW Productions is now in its tenth year of business and has grown to be a full service production and creative agency with a staff of six. We do everything from marketing to website design, photography, video production, and graphic design.

Did you ever envision doing this when you were at St. George’s? 

I have been extremely fortunate to know what I have wanted to do since I was very young. However, I never envisioned that I would be managing a team of my own and running a successful agency at age 23.

How did St. George’s prepare you for college, career, life? 

St. George’s did not prepare me for life. St. George’s helped mold my life. Realizing my passion at a young age wasn’t luck or fate; it was nurtured and fostered in my education beginning in the early years of education at St. George’s.

What is your favorite St. George’s memory? 

I cannot pick just one favorite memory while at St. George’s because there are two memories that stick with me every day. The first memory: a trip to the San Juan River in Colorado at the end of my junior year. While on this weeklong rafting trip, I realized that anything is possible in our lives. Work hard and good things will come. It was on this trip that Mr. McClain and Mrs. Majuri realized the goal of an outdoors program at St. George’s and, thus, St. George’s Great Outdoors (SGGO) program was born. The second memory: winning the basketball state championship in 2010. I was not a player on the team; I was the videographer and had been for seven years. Working for Coach Ruffin for seven years and becoming so close to winning it all for three of those years, made me realize and believe that success is inevitable with hard work and dedication. Being a part of the championship team inspired me and led me to be the videographer for the LSU football team in college.

What do you feel St. George’s does best? 

St. George’s fosters the growth in each individual child more than anything else. With numerous opportunities inside the classroom, on the playing field, on the stage, or in the great outdoors, St. George’s provides every opportunity for a young mind to develop and grow at an early age.

Which teacher had the greatest impact on you and why? 

It is nearly impossible to narrow down which teacher had the greatest impact on me throughout my time at St. George’s. So many amazing teachers were always pushing us to be better students and individuals. However, if I had to narrow it down to one, I would have to say Mr. Rick Ferguson. From having lunches in his office at the Germantown campus to listening to his wise words in chapels and from his many lessons on survival in the woods, I often remember and recollect the teachings of Mr. Ferguson. However, I still cannot build a proper fire, and of that, Mr. Ferguson still reminds me.

Why do you give to the Annual Fund?

I give to the Annual Fund because I believe so much in the mission of St. George’s. I can sit here today and recite the mission and honor code of St. George’s without looking it up. In fact, I even stole a word from St. George’s for my own business. The word is "holistic." The belief that life is not just about academics or sports is a powerful and transcendent belief. In politics, business, and life in general, many focus on money or performance without realizing the benefits of a holistic mindset. St. George’s continually focuses on a holistic education and the belief that one must grow through the classroom, in social experiences, on the stage or field, and through all areas of life.

What advice would you give to St. George’s students or young alumni today? 

I would tell current students and young alumni to take advantage of every single opportunity that life puts in front of you. There is no greater education in our world then that of experience. Try new things, work hard, have an open mind, and rarely say no!

What would you say to a prospective family looking at St. George’s? 

I would tell a prospective family to look no further. Whether you are looking for your child to grow in academics, athletics or the arts, St. George’s has it all. However, most importantly, St. George’s provides the student and family with a lifelong holistic education with the most incredible, unique, supportive teachers one can find anywhere.