Bloom Township High Schools have Legendary Histories from Alumni

Bloom Township High Schools have produced a lot of alumni that have made an impact on the world. We have a Pulitzer Prize winner, movie stars, professional athletes, singers, authors, inventers, Olympians; not to mention our thousands of alums that make an impact on education, in the medical fields, armed forces, police and fireman, etc. We can walk through the Hall of Fame at Bloom and Bloom Trail and see some of the influence our past students have made. Our high schools are coming up on their 125 year and 50 year celebrations. Beyond our legendary history, the greatest accomplishment that comes from our high schools, is the ability to bring people together and the feeling people get when they hear the name of Bloom, (no matter how close or far they live), the feeling of pride. A lot of people go to their high schools, leave and never look back. We have people that leave and want to come back. I have written so many articles and Facebook posts on people coming from Bloom Township and the encouragement, support and love that pours out from alumni is unbelievable. Whether it is in sharing grief of a loved one or support for someone reaching for their dreams, our Bloom Township family is there. I say this makes for an extra-ordinary, remarkable school district.

Recently, we have a Bloom Township athlete who is an elite long jumper. His name is William Williams Class of 2013. Last Olympics he was an alternate on the United States team and as of Sunday, February 23, 2025 he proved himself number one by winning the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in New York, jumping 8.16m /26-9.25. He is headed to Japan next week for the 2025 Spring Challenge Meet. Will left Chicago Heights and competed for Texas A & M where he won the 2018 NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships and went on to win the 2022 NACAC Championships and qualified for two World Athletics Championships competitions, with a best finish of 8th at the 2023 World Championships. Now out of school, he continues his training without much help from sponsors. Will works every day in the gym or on the track to prepare. He struggles to make ends meet, but depends on his faith to get him through. His diet and training and life style, every minute of the day, reflects his desire to put everything he has to accomplish his dreams. From starting out at Bloom’s and Bloom Trail’s facilities under Coach Andrew Schmitt and continuing his pursuit to be one of the top athletes in the world; Will never forgets where he came from and wants to make Bloom Township proud of him.

When I posted this remarkable young man’s accomplishments and request for support at the New York competition; the outpour from past and current Bloom Township students, faculty and staff was amazing and I know the people backing him gave him an added boost. Alums were asking to help support him financially and we posted Will’s Spot Fund to help with his training, traveling, etc. Will carries himself well and makes us even more proud of our legendary history. His goal is to bring the long jump title back to the United States. “We’re from Bloom, Couldn’t be prouder….”

http://spot.fund/vqtwlnsc This address will take you to Will’s SPOTFUND called Reaching for the Gold. Please consider helping no matter how small.