Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Connor Poole

A young man wearing a plaid shirt and a hoodie is smiling for the camera.

WILLIAMSPORT — Connor Poole has enjoyed further enhancing his work ethic through his part-time position as a member of the grounds crew for the Williamsport Crosscutters. 

Poole, a Williamsport Area High School senior, has been named the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week. He is the son of Richard and Teresa Poole.

While Connor won't be able to work for the Crosscutters this summer as he'll be heading off to college before the season ends, he's enjoyed the opportunity he's had with the baseball team.

"On game days, we will get to the field early, take off all the tarps, prepare it, put lines on the field, put the bases on," he said, while explaining his job. "During the game, every third inning, we wipe the field... After the game, lots of stuff gets done. We almost pretty much redo the field again, put tarps on."

According to Poole, approximately five people work as members of the ground crew.

In addition to enjoying working outdoors, and in an athletic setting, he's also appreciative of the learning experience that came with the job.

"I got to learn how to take care of grass, dirt," Poole said. "I learned good time-management skills. you have to get so much done in two hours. It has to be done in a certain order.

"You get to see equipment and machines you'd never otherwise work with."


He has also worked part-time as a youth soccer referee. In school, Poole has been a member of the football, soccer and unified bocce teams.


With a career in biotechnology in mind, Poole will be attending Lehigh University after graduation. There, he will serve as a kicker for the football team.


Poole has relished the opportunity he's had to be involved in athletics while in high school.


"It's good being on the team, and having some accountability," he said. "This year, I was captain on both our football and soccer teams."


He was also liked serving as a member of the school's unified bocce team, in which regular education and special education students play side by side.


"You see the kids in the hallways, you don't really know them," Poole said. "You put them on a bocce ball court, your are like 'wow, these are good athletes.'


"(I enjoy) seeing smiles on their faces and having fun. It's a cool experience."


His interest in biotechnology blossomed over the last three years while learning in the program offered through Williamsport's Career and Technology Education coursework.


In the school's laboratory, Poole said students do advanced experiments involving topics such as DNA and bacteria.


"I've always wanted to work with a field in medicine," Poole said. "I would like to work at the CDC or World Health Organization, in disease control."


He was interested to watch as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.


"It was interesting to go through and see how our lives changed," Poole said.


Jessica Becker, a school counselor, nominated Poole for Teen of the Week.


"Throughout his time in high school, he has consistently displayed a strong commitment to academic excellence and personal growth," Becker wrote, in her nomination. "His dedication to his studies, coupled with his intellectual curiosity and work ethic, sets him apart as an exemplary candidate for recognition.


"Connor's integrity, responsibility, and empathy are truly commendable," she added. "He is a dependable individual who consistently goes above and beyond to support his peers, both academically and personally. His willingness to assist others has had a profoundly positive impact on our school community."