To honor this year's Upper Dublin Medal winners, Patch decided to reach out to friends and colleagues of the four individual honorees to share their inside perspectives. Today we'll present pieces by Sarah Hallowell and Bill Kim on why each deserved to win a medal for Outstanding Student, and tomorrow we'll present pieces on Outstanding Citizen Jules Mermelstein and Outstanding Educator Stephen Heck.

Walking through the halls of Upper Dublin High School, some students congratulate teammates on a great win the previous night, some relay news of a pop quiz to classmates, while others gossip about the prom. Everyone has a place in this hallway, but if there is one thing that stands out among the crowd, it is Bill Kim’s smile. All students have good days and bad, but no matter what the circumstances, Bill Kim always seems to offer a pleasant hello and a grin.

Ever since I met Bill in sixth grade, he has made it a priority to get to know others and to positively impact those around him. Whether it be a football game, club meeting, or academic classroom, Bill focuses on enhancing the experiences of his peers, not just his own.

His goal of helping others became especially evident in high school, as he pursued a volunteer position at the Upper Dublin Public Library’s “Science in the Summer” program, and organized a ping pong tournament through his church to raise money for Liberation in North Korea (LiNK).

Another integral part of Bill’s personality is his leadership ability. As captain of the football team, he exhibited the guidance and determination necessary to lead his team to some phenomenal seasons. This year, he received well-deserved accolades for his play at the linebacker and guard positions, including Maxwell’s Jim Henry Award, an incredible honor.

A fierce competitor on the playing field, he often acts as a quiet leader in the classroom. His high maturity level allows him to place great emphasis on his schoolwork, and he is always respectful of teachers and classmates.

Best known to me as “Beto”, I had the pleasure of sharing Spanish class with Bill multiple years in middle school and high school. He balances hard work with a positive attitude, attains impressive grades, and sets a great example for the many students who look up to him.

A student-athlete myself, I understand the time management and perseverance it takes to excel in both school and sports. It has been amazing to watch Bill go above and beyond the average in these areas, while finding time to participate in countless clubs and community service activities; all this and he walks into school every day with the same unbelievably friendly personality.

I think I speak for most of my school when I say that Bill commands an enormous amount of respect, and is down-to-earth and easy to get along with. I can’t say I was too surprised when I learned that Bill had won the Upper Dublin Medal, because he exemplifies everything it means to be a top-notch, involved student. He is certainly deserving of the award, and it is nice to see all of his hard work pay off in such a positive way.

I hope Bill keeps smiling in all of his future endeavors, and I wish him continued success at Johns Hopkins University next year.