The Catalyst

By Callie Varra, Reporter

Every individual person has their own special talents, unique character and even their own particular way of life. This month the spotlight is turned to our one and only, one of a kind, Senior, Alyssa White who was delighted to be announced Student of the Month.

Alyssa was born on October 24, 1991 here at Grand Junction’s St. Mary’s Hospital. Alyssa grew up along side her one brother, Jake who is now twenty-two. White laughed, “We shared the typical brother and sister relationship…always fighting.” She spent her childhood living in the same house she lives in today with her mother, Sheryl White.

When it comes to talent, Alyssa is full of it. You may have seen Alyssa’s work strung about our High School or even in local art fairs. She has won multiple awards for her ceramic sculptures at events such as Super Rad and Altrusa. Alyssa doesn’t see her artwork as work, but more of leisure, “Art is my chill time. I do it whenever I’m mad or stressed, it helps me out.” Drawing is her favorite.

As for sports, Alyssa plays tennis and also swims on her free time, which she doesn’t have much of. She doesn’t play tennis or swim competitively, but enjoys it simply as a hobby because of an injury in her elbows that happened about two years ago.

Between balancing her school activities, friends and home life, she still squeezes in her three hectic jobs as a lifeguard, swim teacher, and Pee Wee soccer coach for five and six year olds. “I love little kids,” White said with a smile.

White’s favorite subject is math which is usually the most unpopular subject. She admits that her math skills certainly do not come naturally, “I’m best at math but I have to work really hard at it.”

“I used to have my future perfectly planned then this year happened and I don’t know what I am going to do,” Alyssa said. For future goals, she plans on going to college somewhere in Colorado that way she can visit home when ever she wants and stay in the state she loves.

When asked for her favorite quote Alyssa simply replied, “Believe.” She continued by saying, “Just that word has got me through a lot of hard times.”

Artistic, charismatic, and independent, Alyssa is a well-rounded student whose future she says is uncertain will be certainly great due to her hard work and true talent.

Question Time!

If you could live anywhere but the United States where would it be?
Some where tropical; where it is never cold or rainy.

What is your favorite kind of music?
Anything with a good beat and something I can sing to.

What is your favorite place to eat?
Rooster’s…endless chicken wings!

If you were to be an animal, what would it be and why?
A giraffe, because they are so tall and I’m so short. It would be nice to reach things.

If you won a million dollars what would be the first thing you would buy?
A new car, any nice car.

If you were stranded on an island what three things would you bring?
Ipod, sketch book and a coffee pot with coffee.

If you found a genie in a bottle what three wishes would you make?
1. To travel around the world
2. Drive a race car
3. Go hang gliding