William Sadock Whiz Kid

Last week William Sadock was given the opportunity few students are given - he addressed the community of a mere 3,000 plus during the school's Remembrance Ceremony of September 11th.

Aside from sounding calm, cool and collected, impressively Sadock only had 'notes' typed out on a piece of paper. This was only the second time Sadock addressed GHS students in his new role as Student Government President. The first time was speaking to a quarter of the school, the freshmen class, when 2011-2012 school year started earlier this month.

Rare opportunities seem to be a recurring theme for Sadock along with history, politics and religion streaming the marquis in his mind. Sadock, who attendedand , also is the president of the GHS Debate Club. He also participated in Model UN where he earned two "Best Delegate" awards. At Model UN, Sadock played United States President James Madison in a mock Constitutional Convention.

Sadock experienced a particularly extraordinary summer. At the end of June, Sadock was invited to attend Boys State held at Eastern Connecticut State University. Boys (and Girls) State are summer leadership and citizenship programs sponsored by the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary for high school students between their junior and senior years.

At Boys State, Sadock was elected Governor and was overwhelmingly (147-61) chosen to receive the Connell Award given to the outstanding boy of 2011 Boys State. Not surprising, the rising Greenwich senior was chosen as one of the two delegates Connecticut sent to Boys Nation later in the summer.

Sadock's success at Boys State was only a precursor for what waited him at Boys Nation. 

Boys Nation, is an annual civic training event run by the American Legion and is comprised of two delegates from each of the 49 American Legion Boys State programs in the U.S. (Hawaii does not host a Boys State.) These delegates attend the week-long event in Washington D.C. where they learn about the structure and function of federal government.

On the second day of the 2011 Boys Nation, Sadock was elected President Pro Temp. On top of being the only delegate from Greenwich to ever hold this office, his election is quite an honor as only 4 boys out of 98 are chosen as officers.

On top of meeting President Obama, Senators Richard Blumenthal  and Joe Lieberman, Sadock says the highlight of the week in D.C. was to be able to work with the veterans who run the program. 

In between Boys State and Boys Nation, Sadock arranged for his own informal "internship" under a Yale University theology professor during which Sadock created a course syllabus for him.

A love for music, including opera, keeps Sadock on beat. He plays the French horn in the GHS Orchestra making both All-State and All-New England. Sadock is also the conductor of the GHS Marching Band who, at every GHS football home game last year, broke out into a solo of "Hey Baby" during the 4th quarter. He is looking forward to repeating his performance this year.

1. Who is your hero? 

I enjoy studying history, and there is always an emotional component for me when we study U.S. involvement in World War II. Perhaps hero is not the right word, but I can say that above all I respect those who have served our country in times of war. Their sacrifice cannot be forgotten.

2. If there is one thing you could change about your school what would it be?

One thing I would love to improve at our high school is school spirit. We are a large community and as a result it is easy to lose connection with the school. Ideally we would fill up the stands at every football game with students. We certainly have some great Cardinal traditions, but I would love to build on what we have.

3. If you had a day to yourself, what would you do?

Any free day I want to fill with soccer. I haven’t played competitively due to leg calf perthes disease, but I love to watch soccer. I would definitely make a trip down to Red Bull Arena with close friends. No day of mine is complete without some music, so I might force my friends to endure some Mahler or Strauss on the way down.

4. If you could be a character in any novel you’ve ever read, who would you be and why?

I recently read "Cry the Beloved Country" and would love to step into the shoes of Stephen Kumalo, an African priest who the story follows. Walking in the shoes of this pastor and experiencing the challenges of his life would be difficult. But, at the end of the novel Pastor Kumalo has gone through a transformation into a wiser man. I seek his wisdom that only comes through experience.

5. What is your favorite place in Greenwich and why?

Long Island sound is my favorite spot in Greenwich. I love the water. Whether it is on my small boat or on a friend’s sailboat it is always to be out on the beautiful ocean. No other place in the world matches its beauty and no other place in Greenwich matches its tranquility on a warm summer day.