FUTURE LEADERS 
Alyssa Christianson
Story by: Caitlyn Kelleher Photo by: Jeffrey W. Boudreau

Her words have filled a variety of pages in The Community Journal over the last two years as she speaks not only for herself but tries to let a community know what is going on in the minds of the iGeneration.

At 17 years old, Alyssa Christianson, of Ashburnham, has no problem taking chances or putting her thoughts into words for the public to read. The regular writer of columns ranging from the benefits and types of sushi to who is the iGeneration and from the need for community service to the end of the world.

"I've always enjoyed writing," she said. "I thought it was interesting doing a journalistic writing."

The Oakmont senior is looking to go to Boston College or Emerson College and focusing her studies in either marketing communications or public relations. She sees these professions as a way to combine her interest in people and her desire to help people.

"I've always been really outgoing. I like talking to people," she said.

As expected Christianson says her favorite subject is English "because I want to go into something with English and I love reading."

But admits her least favorite is math. Thought she defines it's "not because I don't like math it's just not my best subject."

She hasn't limited herself to making her presence known in only the written word but she has contributed to the Spartans' Field Hockey team and the Track and Field teams for the last six years, after starting as a middle school student.

"My dad used to do track in high school and he would always talk about it. I just followed in his foot steps," she said.

Her parents are David and Lynn Christianson.

She competes in the discs and javelin, which she knows are not the most common events especially for girls.

"You feel good about it because a lot of people don't know a lot about discus and javelin, so its fun explaining to people about it," she said.

Christianson is also a member of the Student Council.

"I've always liked Oakmont. I think most of the students try hard to be welcoming. It has a good community feeling to it."

In her free time she enjoys going to concert as often as her favorite bands come around. Topping her lists of favorites are The Bravery and the Twitches.

She says she is always trying to go beyond the limits and trying to test her boundaries. She says she does not want to get the feeling that she is just settling for something.

"I'm trying to make an adventure out of life," she said. "I think I've found it in a lot of areas of my life but it gets more interesting every day."