SEARCY COUNTY ALE STUDENT WINS ARKANSAS SKILLS USA AWARDS

Stephanie Bresette, 18 year old daughter of Jane Bresette and Steven Bresette, participated in the 2013 Arkansas Skills USA State Competition held in Hot Spring, AR on April 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th. Stephanie won the Silver Medal in Cosmetology and the Arkansas Skills USA Student of the Year for the state of Arkansas.

Stephanie is a high school senior and set to graduate from Marshall High School in May of 2013. Stephanie has been enrolled in the Searcy County Alternative Learning Environment since January of 2011 to regain credits and overcome absenteeism due to illness.

Assistant ALE Principal/Director Tommy Welch stated that “Stephanie has succeeded beyond all expectations. She set goals for herself when we first enrolled her in ALE. She has worked hard and with the support of her teachers and mother, has gone above and beyond what was expected of her”.

Stephanie returned to Marshall High School for her senior year but stayed enrolled in ALE Math so that she could attend the North Central Career Center in the Cosmetology Program. Stephanie discovered what she wanted to do with her education. She has already enrolled in the NCCC Cosmetology School as an adult to begin in the fall. She has been awarded the Arkansas Vocational Grant for full tuition. Stephanie has also been awarded the Devin Dye Memorial Scholarship. Stephanie is very involved with Spade/Neuter Clinics throughout Searcy County as a volunteer. Animal abuse and neglect is a passion for her that she feels very strongly about. She is currently employed at Serenity Farm Bakery in Leslie where she has worked part time for the last 2 years.

Stephanie has stated that she could not have achieved all of her goals, hopes and dreams without the full support of her mother and the teachers and staff at the Searcy County ALE. She has stated “I have a bright and promising future because these people did not give up on me. For that I thank them from the bottom of my heart”.