Special to the
OBSERVER
Fredonia State alumna and track and field assistant coach Julia (Hopson) Williamson can add one more line to her impressive resume.
A five-time All-American and former national champion, Williamson is now a published author. Her children's book, "Little Pig, Little Pig," will be available within the next month at Amazon.com and through Barnes & Noble.
Williamson is also selling autographed copies to anyone who contacts her directly. Her campus e-mail address is Julia.williamson@fredonia.edu and her campus phone number is 673-3700.
Described as a modern twist on the classic story "The Three Little Pigs," Williamson's book is comprised of a poetic tale and over 40 original illustrations. Her story depicts Little Pig being picked on by siblings for being smaller and weaker than they are. The main character then stages a puppet show to help her listeners understand the importance of acceptance and forgiveness, wisdom and charity.
Williamson said she was motivated to write the book after seeing how some children treated other children at the summer camps she has worked.
"Bullying has been in the news recently," she said, "and it suddenly struck me that this book needed to be written."
She dedicated the book to her mother, Bernadette, who died of cancer during winter break of her daughter's sophomore year in college.
A May 2009 graduate with a degree in Visual Arts & New Media, Williamson was named as a full-time assistant coach at her alma mater prior to the 2011-12 school year. She specializes in teaching the throws, events in which she excelled as a collegian.
Williamson set numerous school, conference, and meet records, won 13 SUNYAC titles, earned five NCAA Division III All-American certificates, and on March 13, 2009 became Fredonia State's first female national champion in any sport by finishing first in the 20-pound weight throw at the NCAA D-III Indoor Track & Field championship meet.
She also drew acclaim for her artistry. In January 2009, she was one of 20 student-athletes from around the nation chosen to exhibit their work at the NCAA Convention. That led to a feature story in Champion, the NCAA's monthly magazine.
In April 2009, Williamson received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence and was a finalist for the 2009 NCAA Woman of the Year award.
She and her husband, Brandon, reside in Fredonia.
