2023
Alyssa is this year’s recipient of the Ruby’s Rainbow Indy Llew Scholarship Award. This fall she fulfills her years-long dream of attending the ClemsonLIFE program at Clemson University, where she plans to work on gaining independent living skills in order to be productive and make a difference in the world through sharing her gifts of empathy and insight.
Alyssa adores working with dogs and witnessing the impact they have on others facing stressful times. After her high school graduation, she spent two years helping to get a therapy dog project off the ground at her former school. She is certified as a therapy dog handler and wants to work in the therapy field someday in some capacity, whether helping people with therapy dogs or in a therapy office. She currently holds an internship at a therapy office and describes it as her dream job. She also loves working with ceramics and has made a collection of beautiful art pieces.
Alyssa has a gift of knowing intuitively when any person in a room needs a hug or a kind word. Her peaceful nature brings out the best in those around her, man or beast (dog!).
You rock, Alyssa! We are so proud of you!