Alee Willard will be a 2025 graduate of Alton High School. She is the daughter of Tonya and Brandon Willard and sister of Brayden and Jordyn. Her favorite family activity is going to church together, followed by Sunday lunch. Her favorite childhood memory is stopping at the Duck Dynasty Warehouse in West Monroe, Louisiana on her way to the beach for the first time!
Alee has been involved in Basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Beta, and Student Counsel during high school. The activity she enjoys most is playing basketball because it has brought her so many new experiences and friendships. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to attain her dream of winning a state championship title!
Her favorite high school memory is when the Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Mountain Grove tournament her Junior year and celebrated with the team at Hibby’s afterward.
The classes Alee enjoyed the most were English and Government. She enjoyed getting to discuss literature in English, as well as asking Mr. Kreutzer lots of questions about American Government because "He is the most knowledgeable guy I know!"
Outside of school, Alee enjoys traveling! Three words that best describe her are creative, outgoing, and meticulous. After high school, Alee plans to attend Mineral Area College (MAC) to play basketball.
In 10 years, she sees herself completing college and having a great start on her career!
Her bucket list includes visiting Forks, Washing to see the place where the Twilight movies were filmed. She would love to watch Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, and Paige Buecker play in the WNBA. Another experience would be to explore other countries.
Her parents are who she admires most in life, especially since they have always been her support system in accomplishing her goals and dreams.
Alee feels that Mrs. Amy Trantham has had the biggest impact on her by encouraging a genuine love of writing. Mrs. Trantham created an environment where no question was dumb, making each student feel that their voice mattered and that their contributions were valuable. Her enthusiasm transformed class discussions into something Alee looked forward to and was excited to share insights and inferences about stories and more.
The thing Alee will miss the most about AHS is the meaningful relationships that she formed with her teachers and peers. If there was one thing she could be remembered for, it would be making friends with everybody and helping them feel included.
Alee's advice to underclassmen is to never take opportunities for granted and stay involved because before you know it, it will be over.