‘Pushing herself toward improvement’

When Alyssa Wixtrom returned to school following spring break, the Warwick Valley High School junior hit the ground running – literally.

Not only did Alyssa maintain the stellar academic work she’d been doing, she also decided she was going to join the varsity track team.

Teachers who have worked closely with her over the years can’t say enough about Alyssa’s combination of determination to always do her best and love of taking on new challenges.

“Since she attended Sanfordville, I’ve gotten to know Alyssa and her family,” said Christine Mahon. “And it’s extraordinary, the way Alyssa is always pushing herself toward improvement.”

From quiet kid to peer ambassador

Mahon recalls that Alyssa was somewhat quiet in kindergarten, first and second grades, but that she rather quickly developed into a “rock star” when it comes to speech and language. Those communication skills and her naturally friendly and talkative nature mean Alyssa gets along well with pretty much anybody. In fact, her communication skills have gotten her known as a peer ambassador in the classroom. She is often asked to check in with classmates, and is always first choice to show new classmates around the school.

“She’s one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever met,” said Joelle Haggerty, who is Alyssa’s teacher. “She helps all the other students; she’s always looking after them.”

For Alyssa, it’s simple: “I just like helping people. My friend, who’s in eighth grade, came (to the High School) for the first time this year, so I showed him where to go – the counseling room, where the nurse is, the gym.”

The challenges presented by math

Alyssa’s favorite subjects are math and science, and she has been part of the Foundations of Algebra class this year.

“In science,” explained Alyssa, “I like learning about new topics and experiences. With math, I love trying new things that are challenging, like, right now in algebra we’re working on exponents.”

Haggerty can confirm Alyssa’s love of both math and a good challenge.

“Alyssa excels in math. She’s excellent,” said Haggerty. “She even spends her free time solving equations, and the math games she plays in the classroom are high level stuff. She has just this inquisitive mind that’s always asking questions about things.”

A sprinter’s mentality

Alyssa shared with her teachers that she loved running and wanted to run track for WVHS. Right away, she began advocating for herself and joined the varsity team.

“Every day when I got home from school,” she said, “I would sprint up my driveway, so I wanted to try something new and just thought, ‘I’m going to join track.’”

WVHS teacher Ryan Tobin spends time with Alyssa as she trains and competes in track and field events, including the 100 and 200 meter races.

“When Alyssa started running, she and I talked about different strategies she could apply in order to run to the best of her ability,” Tobin said. “And, typical Alyssa, she improved her running form and her times. Last month she even set more personal best times in her latest meet.”

Life elsewhere in the community

Alyssa said she definitely plans to continue competing as part of the track and field team during her senior year. For now, though, she is looking forward to the district’s summer skills program and its focus on some of her favorite interests – science, particularly ecology and technology.

Between sprinting and studying, Alyssa finds time to get involved in her community. She’s an active Friday night youth group member at Calvary Church. She attends Grace Community Church on Sundays, where she helps with the church’s foster care ministry and adoption celebrations. You can also find Alyssa greeting people at the Orange County courthouse every year during National Adoption Day celebrations.

Alyssa’s accomplishments, work ethic and gracious helper’s attitude are admirable but she’d rather share the credit than take it: “I wouldn’t have been able to do the things I’ve done without my teachers, my family and the other people in the district who support me.”