Alexa Darty-ACCESS Student of the Year
Alexa Darty
2020 Addison High School Graduate
Winston County Schools
Madison City Support Center"Alexa...Find the Learning Balance"
"Alexa" is a common household name in today's society. "Alexa, play [insert song title]. Alexa, what is today's date? Alexa, what is the weather forecast? Alexa, Alexa, Alexa..."
Although Alexa Darty from Addison High School may not be readily available to answer society's general questions, she has created the perfect balance between traditional and online learning which makes her an excellent resource for answers in today's unprecedented era.
Alexa Darty was nominated by her high school counselor, Mr. Jeff Sudduth for the honor of ACCESS Student of the Year. Alexa began taking ACCESS classes in the ninth grade. She said, "It was very challenging at first. After I got the hang of it, I really liked it. So, I decided to take as many [ACCESS classes] as I possibly could."
According to Mr. Sudduth, "Alexa wanted to take courses in the Health Science program at the Winston Career Academy and still be able to be enrolled in the Cooperative Education course to work a part-time job during the afternoon. Due to travel time, core course requirements, and limited schedule options, this would [have been] impossible to complete without ACCESS." Due to the availability and flexibility that ACCESS offers, Alexa was able to work part-time, attend the Career Academy, and complete all of her course requirements.
Although Alexa has often demonstrated an impeccable work ethic, one prime example was shared by Mr. Sudduth. "During a typical Alabama snow day, school was cancelled, but the snow had not arrived that morning. Alexa wanted to meet at school to complete her module test and finish a course early. I was able to make it to school and let her test before the snow made it into Addison that afternoon," her counselor explained. As one can see, Alexa's drive and work ethic are evident even in times of adversity.
Alexa is described as a person of integrity who demonstrates kindness and dependability. She has paved the way for others to see how to balance many responsibilities while also combining traditional and online learning opportunities in order to meet her academic and future career goals. Alexa Darty is a common household name in Winston County and now as the ACCESS Student of the Year, she is a young adult to whom others should turn to and say, "Alexa, show me how to be successful in ACCESS!"
Alexa's Future Plans
ACCESS classes have prepared Alexa for her next steps in education. She stated, "I am very passionate about the nursing field. I am attending Wallace State Community College in the fall to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. Wallace State has paired with the University of Alabama at Birmingham to do a joint degree program. This is where I will obtain an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree at the same time while only attending Wallace State. I am very excited, motivated, and ready to begin this journey."
ACCESS provided Alexa with the flexibility to pursue health science at the Winston Career Academy while also being enrolled in rigorous high school classes to prepare her for post-secondary education. It is no surprise that this young lady was selected as the 2020 ACCESS Student of the Year.
