As a sophomore at J.C. Harmon High School, Alicia Alonso wasn’t
initially informed about the 20/20 Leadership program until teachers encouraged
her to apply.
She was intrigued by the
opportunity to develop leadership skills, plus the program’s tout of providing
assistance with college preparation. After hearing that, Alicia was sold and
bought in even more after learning of the scholarship opportunities.
She made it a goal to be named as one of the
five Royals Charities Scholars as a senior and her dedication paid off.
“I started working on my essay as soon as the
questions were available and even had five teachers review it for me,” she
said.
On the evening of the Shining Stars Awards Celebration, the
event where scholarship winners are announced, the soccer captain had a game.
“I was hoping I missed the game for a good reason,” she said with a smile.
Alicia is the oldest of three and will be the first in her
family to attend college.
As the oldest,
she has always been tasked with the responsibility of setting the example for
her 16-year-old sister and four-year-old brother.
“It is my job to show them the right way,”
she said.
Those leadership skills that began within her home translated
to her ability to lead Harmon’s 20/20 Olympics project for the last two
years.
In 2016, the project team took
third place for their idea of having an outdoor classroom on campus, another
phase of the Harmon Hub.
Fundraising
challenges for the project lead the students to an idea that could be completed
before graduation: getting futsal courts.
As it turns out, city government officials were debating on a location
and Harmon students met with commissioners, convincing them to put the court on
their campus.
The second phase includes
adding lights so that the courts can be used after dark.
The experience of talking and meeting with
commissioners has also helped Alicia grow as a leader. “Before 20/20
Leadership, I didn’t even know who the commissioners were and now, I’ve gotten
a chance to know them and my community even better as a result of the program.”
Even though her parents did not attend college, education has
always been a focal point in their household.
Alicia remembers that her mother has always been involved in her
educational endeavors, ensuring that she was taking the hardest courses that
would be helpful for her in the future.
Her father was also the one who introduced her to Kansas State
University.
The university, home to one
of the top veterinary schools, has always been at the forefront of Alicia’s mind,
so much so that she reluctantly applied to other colleges.
“I only applied to others because I had to,”
she reflects.
Alicia will be spending the summer working as an intern for
CEVA Animal Health, an organization that makes vaccines for animals.
When she heads to Manhattan in August with all
expenses covered after earning more than 10 scholarships, she anticipates minor
challenges, but is more excited about the opportunities.
“I am fulfilling a lifelong dream, along with
the ability to have new experiences and meet new people,” she said.
