Pupil always willing to help

With a sweet disposition and willingness to help others, Alyssa Mullikin has earned the respect and admiration of her teachers at Evans Middle School.

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"Alyssa is such a well-rounded student and a talented athlete," said nominator Sarah Given, coach of the school's varsity softball and girl's basketball teams. "What makes Alyssa unique is her sweet nature in the classroom. For example, she is always willing to help others and has a constant smile on her face."

Susan Owens, an eighth grade Georgia studies teacher, said Alyssa is smart and sincere.

"She's an intelligent and kind-hearted young lady who never meets a stranger," said Owens of Alyssa, who is a member of both the school's math team and beta club.

Alyssa is president of the student council, where she helped spearhead fundraising efforts for new benches for the school, as well as trees for the baseball field. The student council also sold bracelets, with proceeds going to the Medical College of Georgia, and participated in the Raiders of the Loose Change fundraiser.

"I feel like it's real important to help my school out the best I can and do the best I can," said the 13-year-old daughter of Larry and Sandy Mullikin, of Martinez.

Alyssa is on the school's softball, basketball, soccer and track teams.

"I just like to stay fit and I just love playing sports," she said, adding that leaving Evans Middle School in just a few short weeks will be sad.

"It's really sad getting used to everything and then going to high school and having to get used to a new school," she said. "I'll definitely miss the teachers. They've been great over the years and have really made an impact on my life."

Melissa Chesser, a gifted language arts teacher, said Alyssa has affected her, too.

All of the reading and studying and commitment to seeing projects through will be useful when Alyssa enters college. She eventually wants to become a doctor.

"I've always wanted to be a doctor and help people out," she said.