Alyssa is a self-motivated student who often goes above and beyond what is asked in order to fulfill the assigned task. She has been very active in her local FFA chapter, as well as in 4-H. She has served her school’s student body as both vicepresident and secretary and has participated in track and cross country. She has also been very active in her church’s activities.

Alyssa’s dyslexia causes the most trouble when it comes to reading and writing, especially when transferring notes from the board to paper. She is thankful for books on tape. Another of her strategies is to memorize words and their spelling so they come automatically when she writes something down. She stated, “Although I will be dyslexic for the rest of my life, I will not let that limit me.” Her strong public-speaking skills and her ability to manage her own learning difference make her a strong advocate for young people with learning disabilities.

Having lived on a family farm her entire life, Alyssa plans to attend Iowa State University to major in Agricultural Education. She has always wanted to be a teacher and will thus combine that with her love of agriculture, having learned first hand the importance that agriculture has on everyday needs.

As a future teacher, Alyssa acknowledges the importance of including art in every classroom subject. She believes that today’s students are not given an opportunity to express themselves beyond taking written tests and giving oral presentations. Art is a great alternative to assess student learning and allows pupils to be more creative with the knowledge they have learned.

Alyssa said, “Art is a way for me to express my emotions without words.” Ultimately, she would like to have an art studio where she can create a space for students and other people in the community to come in and express themselves through works of art.