By KRISTIN HOGANS

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Tyler Williams may be on summer vacation, but he didn’t leave school, and he’s not getting a break.

That’s fine with the Natchez High School senior, though.

Williams, 17, is working this summer as a maintenance man for the Natchez-Adams School District. He spends most of his 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday schedule cutting grass and transporting furniture from school to school.

Williams said he is able to learn life experiences, meet new people and cope with working under stress.

Maintenance work isn’t a career goal, but it’s a start for now, Williams said.

“I enjoy it (the job) because my co-workers treat me like family, and we work as a team,” he said.

The only downside to the job is the heat, he admitted.

Pamela Mackel, secretary of the NASD maintenance department, said Williams is a wonderful young man with great potential. The maintenance department hires one student worker each summer.

“I wish other students were like him. He is hard-working, respectful and pleasant,” Mackel said.

The job does become tiresome though, Williams said.

“I just work by the minute, saying in the next hour I will get it done,” Williams said.

At Natchez High, Williams is a member of both the track and football teams, and last school year, he was the president of the Future Business Leaders of America.

When he graduates, Williams said he plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and major in computer science.

Williams is the son of Patricia and Leroy Sessions.