The William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship was created to honor William and to recognize students who demonstrate the qualities of bravery, patriotism, individuality, and kindness; qualities that helped make William so remarkable.
William’s parents, Donna and Brad Burton, along with his brothers Jacob and Zachary, wish to honor and remember William’s bravery, kindness, patriotism, individuality and his love for Granite Hills High School by awarding one graduating senior each year with The William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Scholarship. The Burton family will select a senior who has been kind to fellow students and has demonstrated the courage to take risks and stand up for their beliefs. The senior chosen will also be a student who has exhibited individuality and is recognized as a patriotic American.
The recipient will have his/her name engraved on the William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Trophy displayed at Granite Hills High School and receive a check in the amount of $500.00 - $1,000 to spend at his/her own discretion.
The recipient will have his/her name engraved on the William Burton Spirit of the Eagle Trophy displayed at Granite Hills High School and receive a check in the amount of $500.00 - $1,000 to spend at his/her own discretion.
William Burton
William was born on March 21, 2000. He grew up attending Boulder Oaks Elementary School and Joan McQueen Middle School. He participated in Alpine American Little League, AYSO soccer, Granite Hills A.Y.F. football, and Cub Scouts. William loved camping trips and outings with his family. He developed a love for the outdoors and for the beach that he carried with him throughout his life.
William went on to attend Granite Hills High School, where he enjoyed tremendous athletic success. He helped the Eagles to win three consecutive league championships in football. As a senior, he was named to the All-C.I.F. 1st Team as a Defensive Lineman. William was also named the Grossmont League Defensive Player of the Year, and 1st Team All-League as a Tight End and Defensive Lineman. He helped the Eagle baseball team win the League and C.I.F. Championships his sophomore season and reach the semi-finals as a junior. William was looking forward to a promising baseball season and to continuing his athletic career after high school. He was being recruited as both a football player and a baseball prospect.
William was gregarious and fun-loving and his enthusiasm for life was contagious. Even in extremely competitive situations, William would soon have a group of players around him laughing and having fun. He was left-handed like his father and had his mother’s beauty and determination. William was a free spirit and independent thinker in every way. William made those around him smile and laugh, but also had a sensitive side, as evidenced by his close relationship with his grandparents. He enjoyed the beach and boogie boarding, body surfing, and snorkeling with his friends and family. William loved and was loved deeply by his brothers Jacob and Zachary. They enjoyed playing catch, video games, basketball and wrestling with each other.
William went on to attend Granite Hills High School, where he enjoyed tremendous athletic success. He helped the Eagles to win three consecutive league championships in football. As a senior, he was named to the All-C.I.F. 1st Team as a Defensive Lineman. William was also named the Grossmont League Defensive Player of the Year, and 1st Team All-League as a Tight End and Defensive Lineman. He helped the Eagle baseball team win the League and C.I.F. Championships his sophomore season and reach the semi-finals as a junior. William was looking forward to a promising baseball season and to continuing his athletic career after high school. He was being recruited as both a football player and a baseball prospect.
William was gregarious and fun-loving and his enthusiasm for life was contagious. Even in extremely competitive situations, William would soon have a group of players around him laughing and having fun. He was left-handed like his father and had his mother’s beauty and determination. William was a free spirit and independent thinker in every way. William made those around him smile and laugh, but also had a sensitive side, as evidenced by his close relationship with his grandparents. He enjoyed the beach and boogie boarding, body surfing, and snorkeling with his friends and family. William loved and was loved deeply by his brothers Jacob and Zachary. They enjoyed playing catch, video games, basketball and wrestling with each other.
