Sundown ISD

Joining the class in Pre-K, Alyssa has been a Roughneck her whole life. Looking back on her elementary years, her favorite memory is writing her first story. Alyssa always was great at spelling, so she won the Spelling Bee three years in a row in middle school. In more recent years, Alyssa remembers having a blast at Winter Wonderland 2020 with all of her friends. English 1302 with Mrs. Jones was her favorite class in high school. Alyssa plans on attending Hardin-Simmons University and major in Psychology. She has already been accepted and has received a $16,000 scholarship. Her parents, John and Mandee Russell, have served as her role models as she faced the challenges of public high school. She also recognizes Gwen Buchanan as a role model and friend who helped her through school. Alyssa has tried to live her life by the Walt Disney quote, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Some advice she has for underclassmen is, “Someone may be smarter or more talented than you, but there is no excuse for someone to work harder than you. If you cannot yet believe in yourself, then believe that your effort will push you toward your goals.” Join me in wishing Alyssa Russell and the rest of the Sundown Senior Class of 2021 a great remainder of the year and great things in the future.