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by Whitney Shell, Senior/Elementary and Special Education Major

Whitney Shell (right)

Whitney Shell (right)

I’m a senior at Alice Lloyd College majoring in both Elementary and Special Education. I’m also employed through ALC’s Student Work Program as a fifth grade teacher’s assistant at The June Buchanan School. As you can tell, I have a strong desire to have a positive impact on the lives of children in this area, which is why I chose to pursue a career in teaching. My experiences as a teacher’s assistant, along with my education courses, have shaped me into a knowledgeable student who is fully prepared to begin my student teaching semester. I am extremely excited to begin that process so that I can soon become an actual teacher. Thanks to your generous donation, I will also be more financially prepared for this journey.

It is beyond impossible to put into words just how grateful I am for the contributions that have been made toward my education. Paying for a college degree can be rather difficult. Fortunately, warm-hearted people have been kind enough to assist college students in our area. Without their donations, my ability to achieve a college education would be far more difficult. I am extremely grateful for their generosity.

My hometown is Manchester, Kentucky. Manchester is a small town around an hour and a half away from campus. I chose Alice Lloyd College because of the “homey” feeling I experienced since the first day I stepped foot on campus. I could not ask for a better school to attend or for a more worthwhile education than I am in the process of receiving. Being a first-generation college student has instilled a great amount of drive and determination in me, making it possible for me to maintain a 3.9 grade point average, receive the Student Teacher Award for 2014, and to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in three years.

Most people label individuals from Appalachia as less educated than others from different parts of the country. This is far from the truth, and due to the unfortunate perpetuation of that false stereotype, I have decided to spend my life fulfilling my desires of teaching and helping Appalachian children become all that they are capable of being educationally. I’m proud of my heritage, my roots and where I came from. I have received an education in these mountains that will carry me throughout my entire life and ensure a life full of opportunities.

Shell 2

Whitney helps a student with her Halloween craft.

I am also proud to say that I will be the first person in my immediate family to receive a bachelor’s degree. After graduating from ALC, I also plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. This has filled my family with loads of excitement, because I have chosen to break the trend and further my education in order to better my future. Without donors and their wonderful help, I would not be able to achieve this goal. People like you give young adults hope in a struggling economy, and I could never say thank you enough.

Help us continue the work of Mrs. Alice Lloyd and countless others by giving to Alice Lloyd College! With gifts from people like you, we can continue to offer a quality education to the young people of Appalachia. Click here to make your gift today!