Members of the Agricultural Mechanics class share how their class dog, Willy, came to be and his impact on their class.
By: Greer Olson
Walking into the Agricultural Mechanics class at Redwood Highschool you might expect to see students huddled over a project or the loud sound of scrap metal being welded together. Something you might not expect is a chocolate labrador happily wandering around the classroom.
Last winter there was a new addition to the Ag Mech class and his name is Willy, who recently celebrated his first birthday. He is a cheerful puppy who has grown to be loved in class. Mr. Coon is the Agriculture Mechanics teacher and he says Willy likes, “to greet everyone at the door, he makes sure that everyone says good morning to him and he says good morning to everyone.” He notices how Willy seems to think that his job is to make everyone feel better when they walk in the door. Mr. Coon expresses how Willy is very popular amongst Redwood staff as well, Mr. Coon says, “Other teachers, the administration, you know, they’ve come out to see Willy.”
holding Willy last winter
photo Redwood Ag Mechanics/gigantea
Mitchell Dean ‘24 is an Ag Mech student and has bonded with Willy quite a lot. Dean says, “I just think he’s a great addition to the FFA program.” Willy has been in class since the winter of last year and has changed quite a bit from when he was first introduced. Dean explains how when he [Willy] was a puppy it was hard to get him to listen to Mr. Coon and the students, he says, “We used to always have to have someone keep an eye on him or else he would be running around barking at everyone.” But it wasn’t just Willy who got distracted easily, Dean says, “We would all just want to hold the puppy or put him on the table, so he was definitely a distraction in the beginning.”
Marieliegh Coon ‘24 is the daughter and Ag Mech student of Mr. Coon. She explains how when they first got WIlly they were debating a way to get him socialized and had an idea to start bringing him to school, Coon says, “We knew we need a way for him to get used to people cause he wasn’t really used to people at first and my dad is the Ag mechanics teacher and one day he just decided to bring him to school and see how he does.” While Mr. Coon originally brought Willy to get him socialized, Mr. Coon notices Willy has turned into something a bit bigger. Mr. Coon says, “Willy came just so everyone could see him and he’s almost turned into an emotional support dog, it’s like he picks up on their emotions and goes and hangouts with them.”
Greer Olson
Greer Olson '27 is in her first year of journalism and isn't quite sure what she exactly wants to write about, but is interested in learning about the people of Redwood and what makes everyone individuals.
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