By Linda Lane
Homecoming Queen, “Most Admired Person” in the 2016 Class, valedictorian – there were seven this year – and a four-year varsity letter recipient in women’s softball at Schoolcraft High School are a few of the bragging rights that Alyssa Proper sports on her way off to Western Michigan University.
Her 4.0 grade point average includes five college-level classes she’s taken at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. But what is Alyssa Proper most proud of personally? Where she’s truly made a difference in the community: volunteering and mentoring through programs such as Big Brother/ Big Sister for the past three years, Common Bond, Key Club, National Honor Society and Health Occupation Students of America. For example, through HOSA, Alyssa competed nationally and won a first place award for her Community Awareness to Support the Gospel Mission, raising over $800 to raise awareness of the malnutrition of poor people in the US.
“I’m so proud of her compassion for others. She’s got a special way of accepting others for who they are, understanding their special needs and assuring them that they’re wonderful just the way they are,” her mom, Raquel Proper said. “Having her brother, Jacob, with autism has given Alyssa a serious insight and awareness of those with difficulties that others don’t have to contend with.”
Proper was also voted Most Dominant Pitcher in Women’s Softball for southwest Michigan by all players of the area in a survey by the Kalamazoo Gazette. Her impressive career in softball has earned her All Conference, All District, All Region, and All State Honorable Mention.
After that stellar softball career, Proper has decided against playing college ball in order to focus her energies on studying to achieve her next goal: becoming a Physicians’ Assistant. With all the grants and scholarships, including a $5,000 grant from Perrigo, Proper has her entire first year at the Lee Honors College of Western Michigan University completely covered.
“I’ve made lifelong friends at Schoolcraft, but I’m really looking forward to branching out and meeting new people at Western,” Alyssa said.
Alyssa is bound for a wonderful adventure at WMU and great things in the future as a physician’s assistant.