I am Will Penoncello, and this is my family. I grew up in Buena Vista, a small town located in southwest Georgia. We have a single traffic light downtown, and most of the area is farmland. My sister, Abby, is a senior in high school this year and currently the top of her class. My mom is a second grade teacher at L.K. Moss elementary school. My dad is the superintendent for the Marion County school system.
These are three more members of the Penoncello family: Chipper, Bella, and Nova.
I was born in Tifton, Georgia and lived there until I was 12 years old. As a kid, I enjoyed playing sports and grew up playing football, basketball, and baseball. My dad and I spent countless hours together practicing.
I moved to Buena Vista my 7th grade year because my dad got the principal position at Marion County Middle High School. I used sports as an outlet to meet new people and make new friends.
Going into high school, sports were still my main focus. My football team made it to the final four my freshman year and then to the state championship my sophomore year. The players on these two teams are some of my biggest role models even today. They taught me how to work hard and compete — a mindset I try to carry with me in everything I do.
Mrs. Owens was my English teacher in high school. I took her class three times, and she introduced me to a new passion. I began to look at reading and writing differently and realized that I could pursue something besides sports.
During my senior year, I tutored a group of third graders at the elementary school, and I began to consider teaching as another potential career path.
By my senior year of high school, I had been named second-team all region in football, first-team all region in baseball, and valedictorian for my class. My life in Marion County certainly was not always easy, but it helped me grow and prepared me for my next chapter…
The University of Georgia has provided me with not only an outstanding education, but left me with great experiences and new friends. I am proud to be a dawg, and I am continuing my journey of growth, letting my passions guide me until I discover my purpose for this life.
